COLUMBIA - Legislators returned to their desks Tuesday to discuss overhauling the state's civil lawsuit system, Gov. Mark Sanford's first executive budget and vetoes remaining from last year.

The political tensions were on display in a legislature where all Senate and House seats will be up for election in November.

The lawsuit legislation brought out quick criticism from House Democrats in a caucus meeting before the gavels came down at noon in both chambers.

Sanford's budget already has found plenty of critics. That's particularly true among legislators whose districts include the University of South Carolina's two-year campuses in Allendale and Union. Sanford has proposed closing those two campuses.

"He'll have a fight on that," said Rep. Mike Anthony, D-Union.

House members also were expected later this week to take up Sanford's budget vetoes from last year. About 100 bills were read in the House on the first day back.

One piece of unfinished business from last year got a quick disposition. After years of discussion, the Senate agreed to make tattoo parlors legal.

Sen. Jake Knotts, R-West Columbia, had fought efforts to legalize tattooing when he was a House member. Knotts said Tuesday he added an amendment to the bill that would prohibit tattoo artists from other business, such as selling retail goods or performing body piercing. Tattoo parlors also would have to maintain state health standards. The bill now goes to the House.

The business of state government got off to a jovial start in the House where members greeted each other with hugs and loud, cheerful conversation as they strolled past desks overflowing with mail. A number of Republicans wore matching ties with the House insignia that were gifts from Rep. Alan Clemmons, R-Myrtle Beach.

The Senate's session got off to a quiet start, literally, as the upper chamber was having technical sound problems.

The Senate had about 50 prefiled bills to read across the desk, including a bill that would add the name of Essie Mae Washington-Williams to the list of children on the State House monument honoring former U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond.

Williams came forward last month and announced she is the illegitimate daughter of the late senator and a black housekeeper who worked in the Thurmond family home.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Robert Ford, D-Charleston, was sent to the Judiciary Committee.

The lobby between the House and Senate chambers had a few new faces in addition to the professional lobbyists who try to push legislation. 100 members from ABATE, a motorcycle rights group, stood out from the usual sea of suits in the lobby with their long hair, denim and leather.

Clay Morris, an ABATE member from Barnwell, said the group opposes legislation that would create primary seat belt enforcement and supports other legislation that would require mandatory testing after fatal accidents and prohibit discrimination against motorcyclists.