Sanford signs first new laws of 2004

COLUMBIA -- Gov. Mark Sanford signed into law this week a bill that restructures the state's Public Service Commission and how its commissioners are elected.

The bill and others signed Wednesday are the first new laws to clear Sanford's desk this year.

The Senate and House fought for nearly two years over changes at the PSC, which regulates power, water and local telephone utilities in the state. The fight grew out of commissioner screening process two years ago that found underqualified candidates, raised concerns about legislator's family members getting the jobs and uncovered inappropriate contact between commissioners and the companies they regulate.

The new law revamps elections and bars family members living with legislators from seeking commission jobs. In the future, commissioners will also have to have college degrees and experience in a field that is applicable to utility regulation. It also sets up a separate PSC staff to argue on the public's behalf at commission hearings.

Sanford also signed acts:

• Requiring notification of rape victims that a convict is coming up for hearing that could confine them indefinitely under the state's sexually violent predator law. That law so far has allowed the release of just one of 67 people.

• Setting up a network of Child Advocacy Centers around the state to investigate and respond to child abuse.

• Modernizing bingo operations to allow state-approved electronic dabbers in games. It also lets federally recognized Indian tribes use hard wired games instead of cards but bars video gambling.

Sanford also vetoed a bill limiting fishing and barring motorboats, guns, beer and littering on Edgefield County's Slade Lake. The Senate overrode that veto Thursday.

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