COLUMBIA - Boards for two non-Cabinet agencies say they will follow an executive order from Gov. Mark Sanford aimed at shutting down spending loopholes in the state budget.

Under so-called "pass-through" spending, legislators have put money in agency budgets with the understanding it would be used for pet projects in their districts.

On Thursday, the Department of Natural Resources and Department of Health and Environmental Control agreed to embrace Sanford's order. Sanford appoints the boards of both agencies and the state Senate confirms them.

Sanford says pass-through projects evade the type of debate that surrounds other state spending but are buried so deep in the budget that no one can find them. Last month, Sanford ordered his agencies to stop that practice unless they disclose it in an annual report.

Although DNR isn't an a Cabinet agency, it "respects the governor's wishes and will adhere to the order," Chairman Michael McShane said.