A proposal to overhaul the state Public Service Commission is headed to the S.C. Senate floor.

Last year, the Senate held up elections for the commission as it sought changes in the way its seven commissioners were elected and how they interact with utility and telecommunications companies they regulate.

Senators worried that some of the commission candidates didn't have enough education or that their family ties to legislators would influence elections. The House insisted that PSC elections should be held immediately and let the legislation die.

The Senate Judiciary Committee adopted nearly identical legislation to that bill. It requires PSC members to have a bachelor's degree and relevant experience and bars some family members from seeking election.

The committee's version of the bill puts those changes in effect with elections in 2004 and 2005.

House panel approves school bus loading bill

The S.C. House Education Committee voted Tuesday to clarify laws to protect students getting on or off school buses.

The bill would require buses to pick up and unload students only on the right side of roads that have two or more lanes traveling in each direction. That way students would not have to cross the highway. If the bus driver sees students crossing the highway, the school could penalize the students.

"One of the intents of this law is to simplify things, to protect these kids, to assure us they will be getting off on the right side of the highway," said Highway Patrol Capt. George Blackwell.

The bill also clarifies current laws to let drivers know when they should stop for buses.

Most people think they do not have to stop on a four-lane road without a median because of the way the current law is written, said Donald Tudor, transportation director for the Education Department.