House Sends Tougher Seat Belt Bill Back To Committee

COLUMBIA -- A tougher seat belt bill that was expected to roll easily through the House was instead nearly derailed Wednesday and sent to committee Thursday.

The legislation would let police stop adult drivers who are not wearing seat belts.

Two years ago, the House easily passed the legislation only to see it die in the Senate. This year, the Senate quickly passed the bill and expectations were high that the House would do the same.

But elections and a new Republican majority leader changed that.

House Majority Leader Jim Merrill has spent time lately putting together opposition to the seat belt law change.

Merrill said he thinks the bill intrudes on personal freedoms.

The House was preparing for a vote that would have sent the bill into the House Judiciary Committee when Anderson Rep. Ronny Townsend managed to get members to vote for adjournment.

Gov. Mark Sanford has already said he is unhappy with the bill because of provisions that keep the violations from being used in court.

On a voice vote, the House sent the bill to the Judiciary Committee for further study Thursday morning.

Previous Stories:

• February 10, 2005: Sanford: I Will Not Support Current Seat Belt Bill
• February 2, 2005: Senate Passes Tougher Seat Belt Law
• January 17, 2005: Seat Belt Law Revived In Senate