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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Gov. Nikki Haley is creating a commission  to work on plans to update South Carolina's ethics laws.

Haley named the 11-member panel on Thursday. She points out none are currently in elected office. She says an independent body is the best way to get true ethics reform.

The panel will be co-chaired by two former attorneys general, Republican Henry McMaster and Democrat Travis Medlock.

The governor agrees with critics that South Carolina's laws are too gray and too vague. She says citizens need to have confidence in the system. The group must report its recommendations to lawmakers by Jan. 28, three weeks after the session starts.

The House and Senate are working on their own ethics reform plans.

Questions raised over lawmakers' ethical issues have made reform a priority for 2013.