COLUMBIA - A House bill that gives American Indian issues to the state Minority Affairs Commission was approved by a Senate subcommittee Wednesday, giving the measure a chance for passage this year.

The proposal is aimed at helping tribes, including the Waccamaw and Pee Dee, get state recognition.

The same subcommittee studied a Senate bill that is awaiting passage. The House bill was changed to be almost the same as the Senate bill.

"I guess my regret is we couldn't do more," said Sen. Bob Waldrep, R-Anderson, who is of Cherokee ancestry.

He said he wanted to give the agency money to handle its expanded duties but hopes that will be possible in the future. The bills also make the agency responsible for Hispanic and Asian issues.

Dennis Bracy of the Beaver Creek Indians said American Indians do not have enough people in politics to represent them. Waldrep is the only senator who claims Indian ancestry; there is one House member.

"The underlying thing here is fear of gambling and land claims," Waldrep said.

Federally recognized tribes are permitted to have gambling operations under certain conditions. The Catawbas, the only federally recognized tribe in the state, have bingo games.

Will Goins, an American Indian and supporter of the bill, said backers need to educate legislators that state recognition is not a major step to federal recognition and that some tribes will never gain the required criteria to move from state to federal recognition.