Bill Could Punish Those Who Damage Environment (SC)

[wildflower]

Bill Could Punish Those Who Damage Environment

Friday January 28, 2005 4:30am
Posted By: Theresa Acker

Columbia, SC - A House Judiciary subcommittee has approved a bill that could lead to faster prosecution of companies that dump chemicals or damage the environment in other ways. The legislation gives the state attorney general authority to use grand juries to investigate those crimes and bring charges.

Attorney General Henry McMaster says the grand jury powers will force companies to open records and force their managers to testify.

McMaster says the bill is needed because the state lacks tools to investigate environmental crimes. The bill was approved by subcommittee Thursday and now goes to the full Judiciary Committee.

http://www.abcnews4.com/news/stories/0105/203289.html

Comment: it would be great if every state would do this.

EDITED to remove mention of poll (not sure if it breaks LBN rules).