COLUMBIA - It's hell week at the Statehouse, the time when lawmakers and lobbyists scramble to get their bills through one chamber and to the other before a May 1 deadline.

After this week, a two-thirds vote is needed before the House and Senate can take up legislation that started across the hallway.

That means any House or Senate bills that don't get approved by their respective chambers this week stand little chance of passage before the June 1 adjournment.

The deadline puts about 130 bills in limbo. Among them are key policy proposals that would tighten restrictions on identity theft, ban smoking in restaurants and give students school credit for religious studies.

The sense of urgency is heightened this year, the second of a two-year legislative cycle, because all legislation that doesn't get approved has to start from scratch next January.

Adding even more stress to the equation on the Senate side is the state's $6.5 billion budget, which will consume an already busy week.

"It will result in a few bills going down that probably would normally make it," said Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens.

The budget debate is expected to take the week's three daily legislative sessions, but Senate leader Glenn McConnell said the Senate could stay for a Friday session in order to tackle legislation further down the calendar.

"I think there's a good chance we'll get the budget out of the way by Thursday ... and try to get to a few other bills," the Charleston Republican said.

The Senate's calendar is loaded down with 96 pieces of legislation, 62 of which need to get to the House by May 1. Among the bills on the calendar are proposals to:

--Strengthen consumer protections against identity theft.

--Make a student's driving privileges contingent on a good school attendance record.

--Grant class credit to students for attending out-of-school religious studies.

It's a similar story in the House, where 66 of the 73 bills on the calendar face the looming deadline. But Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, was more optimistic about the fate of pending House legislation.

"I think most of them will get across," he said. "I don't think any of them are terribly controversial."

That legislation includes an income tax credit for major South Carolina manufacturers, and a separate proposal to give incentives to companies that locate headquarters in the state.

At least one bill, a proposal to ban smoking in bars and restaurants, is sure to get significant debate. Lawmakers also expect contentious discussion on saltwater fishing catch limits and efforts to reinforce the state's Freedom of Information Act.

Reach John Frank at (803) 799-9051 or jbfrank@postandcourier.com.