Posted on Fri, May. 12, 2006

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Heirs’ property bill set to advance

“We’ll save your second 10 minutes for when you come back.”

-- House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, talking to Rep. James Smith, D-Richland. Smith, one of the most dogged debaters in the House, is leaving for National Guard training at Fort Benning, Ga. Under House rules, members are allowed two 10-minute periods to debate amendments.

NEXT WEEK AT THE STATE HOUSE

For a complete list of legislative meetings, go to http://www.scstatehouse.net/ and click on the “Meetings” link.

IN THE HOUSE: Convenes at noon Tuesday, 10 a.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. Thursday.

IN THE SENATE: Convenes at noon Tuesday, 2 p.m. Wednesday, 11 a.m. Thursday.

THE DAILY BUZZ

NEVER GIVE UP

The Buzz has to admire Rep. Herb Kirsh, D-York, for trying to sneak one by the House.

Kirsh has been pushing a bill exempting York County schools from the late-August statewide start date recently signed into law. The bill was debated and quashed by the House, eventually being sent back to committee.

But Kirsh has not relented, asking at least twice to recall the bill from committee, a move that requires unanimous agreement from other House members.

The moves haven’t worked.

Kirsh tried again on Thursday, with House Ways and Means chairman Dan Cooper, R-Anderson, objecting about as quickly as Kirsh rose to ask the request.

The attempt drew a chuckle from House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston.

“I think people know what the bill does Mr. Kirsh,” Harrell said.

MORE ON THE WEB

What you can find online at thestate.com

• Our inside look at the 2006 General Assembly. Online items include how to track bills, a list of important dates, story lines to watch and profiles of key lawmakers.

• YGA Today, midday news from inside the State House, is updated several times each legislative day.

• Our searchable list of state employee salaries for workers earning more than $50,000 a year.

A QUICK SPIN AROUND THE STATE HOUSE

A bill meant to help the descendants of slaves preserve their family land was pulled out of a House committee, setting up a floor vote next week that could advance the measure.

The bill has already passed the Senate.

Heirs’ property is land granted to or bought by former slaves after emancipation. It passed through generations, often without a will, leaving it held by as many as a hundred heirs with no clear title and vulnerable to sale. The proposal would give owners of heirs’ property the right of first refusal to buy the land at fair market value before it is divided.

IMMIGRATION

A state study committee would examine enforcement of state and federal laws relating to illegal aliens under a resolution introduced in the House.

The panel would recommend legislative changes as appropriate.

The plan comes as more active legislation may stall. A House-passed bill that could limit the number of illegal immigrants working in South Carolina by keying in on employers who do business with the state was advanced after the May 1 crossover deadline.

The measure must gain a two-thirds vote in the Senate simply to be considered.

HOG-DOG FIGHTS

Legislation closing loopholes in laws banning hog-dog fights is heading to the House Judiciary Committee.

The bill approved by a Judiciary subcommittee also includes increased criminal penalties for cockfighting.

The Senate bill makes it clear it is against the law to use dogs to catch hogs in penned areas where money is bet or prizes awarded. The penalties would include property seizure and forfeiture.

SUDAN

The House refused to pass a joint resolution stopping the flow of goods produced in the state from going to Sudan.

The resolution, sponsored by Rep. James Smith, D-Richland, said goods and products manufactured in South Carolina cannot be exported to the war-torn African state until rebel groups in the Darfur region reach a peace agreement, or allow a United Nations’ peacekeeping force to come in.

House members who opposed the bill said President Bush had already banned U.S. companies from doing business in Sudan, because of the genocide under way. The bill was sent to the Judiciary Committee.

In other news:

• A Senate-passed bill creating a separate criminal offense for harm done to a fetus during a crime is heading to the House Judiciary Committee.