WALTERBORO - A controversial bill that would give the local legislative delegation sole power to appoint members to the Lowcountry Regional Airport Commission has been grounded for now.

Sens. Clementa Pinckney and John Matthews introduced the bill at the end of last year's session because they say the current law makes commissioners dual office-holders, and because of the absence of minority members.

Pinckney, D-Jasper, submitted the bill for a third and final reading May 26 but withdrew it the same day. It eventually died in the Senate.

"It's dead for now," Pinckney said Friday. "We'll see what happens in the spring."

Pinckney said he had second thoughts because he wants to discuss a plan with the commission in person. He declined to say what the plan entails and how it might differ from what the bill proposed.

Matthews, D-Orangeburg, said the bill was overshadowed this year but he expects it to come up again next year, because the commission needs to more accurately represent the community, he said.

Colleton County and Walterboro jointly own and operate the airport.

The bill has angered city and county leaders, who consider it a violation of home rule and a power grab by two out-of-town senators out of touch with Colleton County.

"The delegation does not need to have control over something they don't have ownership in," said Walterboro Mayor Charlie Sweat, who is also a commissioner.

The law states that the airport's commission should consist of five members: Walterboro's mayor, the chairman of the city's finance committee, the Colleton County Council chairman and the county's treasurer and auditor.

Local officials say minority members have served on the commission before, but it just happens that none of the current commissioners is a minority.

They have received the support of Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Bonneau, who said the bill might have met with opposition had it gone to the House. "There's no way I want to be a part of taking power away from local government and giving it to the delegation," Grooms said.

Pinckney said he had little discussion with Colleton County's representatives, and that they had nothing to do with his withdrawing the bill.

Colleton County Council Chairman Steve Murdaugh, who is also chairman of the airport commission, said the commission is willing to meet with Pinckney before next session, but said he thinks a fundamental disagreement might exist.

Murdaugh said local leaders already offered a proposal that would have included two new spots on the commission reserved for minority members, but they were turned down because the proposal didn't address Pinckney's concern of dual office-holding.

Murdaugh said having board members on the commission is essential, since "We're the ones in a position to make things happen."

Reach Andy Paras at 549-9210 or aparas@postandcourier.com. Read more Colleton news at http://www.colleton.typepad.com/.