The ninth week of the legislative session:

LAWSUIT LIMITS: The Senate compromised on a lawsuit limit bill Tuesday. Consumers would have eight years instead of 13 to bring lawsuits for shoddy construction. People injured in accidents also would collect less in lawsuits from defendants whose share of blame is under 50 percent. That bill and a bill capping pain and suffering awards in medical malpractice lawsuits are expected to head to a conference committee later this month.

---

STATE BUDGET: Gov. Mark Sanford said Wednesday that House budget writers are on a course to jeopardize the state's triple-A credit rating. Sanford called on legislators to restore more cash to trust funds. Legislators say trust funds aren't the issue. They say credit agencies are concerned about Sanford's income tax reduction plan.

---

INCOME TAXES: Small business owners would have a lower income tax rate under a bill Senate Finance Committee Chairman Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, introduced. The bill, costing $100 million a year when implemented in four years, is expected to compete against Gov. Mark Sanford's income tax reduction plan, which would cost $1 billion a year when implemented in 10 years.

---

BLACK JUDGES: A bill designed to make it easier for black lawyers to become judges passed the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday. The bill requires the Judicial Merit Selection Commission to recommend all qualified candidates instead of just three.

---

SCHOOL UNIFORMS: Elementary schools would have to require uniforms under a bill introduced by Lexington Rep. Tedd Pitts.

---

PORT EXPANSION: Nearly 70 state lawmakers presented a compromise to Jasper County and the State Ports Authority on Wednesday that calls for joint management of a new steamship terminal on the South Carolina side of the Savannah River. The Ports Authority rejected the compromise.

---

HOTEL SPRINKLERS: South Carolina hotels would have to post warning signs if they don't have a sprinkler system installed under a bill a Senate subcommittee approved Wednesday.

---

ABSENTEE VOTERS: Voters won't need a witness to sign their absentee ballots under a bill a House Judiciary subcommittee approved Wednesday. Supporters said local voting officials can't verify the signatures.

---

REGULATION LIMITS: A Senate subcommittee is debating a bill that wouldn't let local governments regulate some businesses, such as large hog and poultry operations. Opponents say that infringes on home rule.

---

MENTAL HEALTH: The Senate gave key approval Thursday to a bill that would permit mental health coverage through employer insurance policies. It exempts small businesses and limits the illnesses that would be covered.

---

PAYDAY LENDING: Pointing to some South Carolinians credit problems, consumer advocates are pushing for the state to regulate payday lending companies.

---

DRIVERS LICENSES: High School students with more than five unexcused absences would lose their drivers licenses under a Senate bill.

---

MEDICAID: The Senate approved a bill Thursday that would let the Department of Health and Human Services regulate frequent Medicaid users.

---

CONFEDERATE VETERANS TAG: The Sons of Confederate Veterans would receive money from the sale of its specialty license plate under a Senate bill that cleared the House Education and Public Works Committee on Wednesday.