COLUMBIA, S.C. - Governors would have more power to lower flags at the Statehouse when notable people die under legislation heading to the Senate floor.

The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday approved a bill that addresses problems Gov. Mark Sanford faced under the current law when he wanted lower the flags to half staff to honor civil rights activist Rosa Parks when she died in October.

Sanford said the current state law doesn't give him that authority to lower the flag on his own.

The legislation, which has passed the House, allows the governor to order the flags atop the Statehouse lowered when a presidential order lowers flags at federal buildings or when a person "of extraordinary stature" dies.