COLUMBIA - Cities and counties would be able to ban or regulate casino boats under a bill introduced Thursday that has the stamp of approval of the Senate's leader.

Sen. Ray Cleary, R-Murrells Inlet, is one of two authors of the bill. He and Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Isle of Palms, wrote the measure with the advice and approval of Sen. Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston.

McConnell is president pro tem of the Senate, its leader, and he has blocked previous attempts to ban casino boats because he does not want to risk interfering with the cruise ships that call on Charleston.

Most cruise ships contain gambling rooms.

McConnell said the solution was for cities and counties to ban the boats, but a court threw that method into question.

Georgetown County's ban on the boats was challenged in court by a prospective casino boat operator and the county lost. The county is appealing to the state Supreme Court, but that outcome is uncertain.

Cleary's bill allows local governments to ban the boats but also allows them to exist. Horry County, for example, is considering making money from the casino boats at Little River by charging a per-passenger fee.

Cleary said the bill allows Horry County to handle the boats that way if it wishes or to ban them.

The bill specifically exempts cruise ships.

McConnell reviewed versions of the bill as he and Campsen worked on it, Cleary said. They also sought advice from Georgetown County's attorneys for the casino boat lawsuit.

"We finally got a bill that we think solves the problem and that McConnell will support," Cleary said.

McConnell seems to be happy enough with the bill to sign on as a co-sponsor.

"That makes all the difference in the world," Cleary said.

So far, 19 senators are listed as sponsors. The more there are, the greater the signal that the bill will move rapidly. The only other local senator co-sponsoring so far is Luke Rankin, R-Myrtle Beach.

"What we'd like to do is get it through as quickly as possible," Cleary said. He will ask that it not be assigned to a subcommittee, as is the usual practice, and instead receive first review in the full Senate Judiciary Committee.

Earlier this month, Rep. Vida Miller, D-Pawleys Island, introduced a casino-boat-ban bill. Cleary said he asked her to support the Senate bill instead because McConnell favors it.

Miller said Friday she will do that.

Casino boats are able to operate because the state has not exercised its power to ban them under federal law. Previous attempts at a ban failed because of McConnell's opposition.

Champs | The Waccamaw High School Lady Warriors tennis team was honored by the state House of Representatives on Wednesday for its Class A-AA state championship.

The House customarily invites championship teams to the Statehouse, where they come into the chamber and are lauded for their exploits.

Appointed | Melanie Thompson of Myrtle Beach was confirmed for a seat on the state Cosmetology Board, representing nail technicians.

Next week: | The House debates the budget. No other business will be taken up.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will debate free-pour legislation passed by a subcommittee last week.

A bill sponsored by Sen. Dick Elliott, D-North Myrtle Beach, to allow hair-braiders to operate without cosmetology licenses is on the agenda for the full Senate, as is an amusement ride safety measure.