COLUMBIA, S.C. - A House subcommittee approved changes to more than 50 districts Monday as members worked on a bill that would redraw election lines for representatives' seats.

The subcommittee agreed to 54 changes - most were minor and were initiated by legislators - said House Judiciary Election Laws Subcommittee Chairman Gary Simrill, R-Rock Hill.

Republicans say the new plan reduces split precincts. Democrats say they want to make sure changes are minimal and that the plan doesn't divide communities.

Rep. Walt McLeod's district is one that will be affected by the changes.

The Little Mountain Democrat says he would have preferred his district remain unchanged but he thinks the change "is in the best interest of the voters of Newberry County."

Three precincts that had been split in McLeod's district, which runs from Newberry to Lexington counties, are made whole under the new plan. One split precinct remains.

House and Senate district lines typically are redrawn every 10 years to update with new Census population data.

The Republican-controlled Legislature approved a plan in 2001 that was vetoed by Democratic Gov. Jim Hodges. A federal court drew new maps after lawmakers failed to override the veto.

All 124 members of the House ran on the court-ordered plan in 2002. But the 46 senators are not up for re-election until next year and GOP leaders in the Senate want to create their own maps, saying the lines drawn by the court divide too many precincts.

House members don't plan to change the Senate's maps, Simrill said. Congressional lines also would be unaffected.

The legislation, which likely will be debated in the full Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, requires the approval of two-thirds of members. If it passes, Gov. Mark Sanford can veto it or sign it into law.

The plan also must be approved by the U.S. Department of Justice.

If it faces any challenges, the maps could end up back in court.