House approves hunting bill

COLUMBIA - A bill that would give voters a chance to approve a constitutional guarantee of the right to hunt and fish passed the House overwhelmingly last week and may be taken up by a Senate committee this week.

The proposal is aimed at preventing people from forbidding hunting, as has been attempted in some states. Legislators who pushed the bill are especially afraid of the growing number of people moving to the state who do not have a heritage of blood sports.

"Every year, we have people wanting to put further restrictions on hunting, and I think this [bill] is necessary, particularly with all the people moving into the state," said Rep. Greg Delleney, R-Chester, during the floor debate.

Delleney said hunters fear the loss of their pastime or that their children will not be able to enjoy the same activities.

He said 15 other states have passed constitutional hunting and fishing rights guarantees after an attempt to ban hunting in Vermont.

Rep. Doug Jennings, D-Bennettsville, said he could not see such a thing happening in South Carolina.

"Is it really necessary for us to amend our state constitution to put this in there?" Jennings asked.

He did not vote against the bill. It passed 105 to 0.

Trade center

When a possible $7 million grant for a trade center at the site of Myrtle Square Mall popped up as part of a massive economic development bill Thursday, it surprised some House members because it was a Senate move.

But local House members were happy about the inclusion as well as the support of the full House in adopting the provision, despite grumbling from some.

"I think the trade center is important for the future of Myrtle Beach," said Rep. Tom Keegan, R-Surfside Beach.

The center should be viewed as an important facility to the state because of the economic development and tax revenue it will foster, he said.

Rep. Alan Clemmons, R-Myrtle Beach, said the money isn't nearly enough to build the facility but that approval of the money "opens the door to allow the financing to happen."

Rep. Tracy Edge, R-North Myrtle Beach, did not vote on the bill and didn't want to say anything about it.

An employee of Burroughs and Chapin Co. Inc., which owns the mall property, said he wants to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest in the trade center proposal.

The Senate is supposed to vote on the bill Tuesday.

Budget week

This week, the House's budget week, members will debate the $5 billion proposal on the floor all day, usually for at least three days.

The House will not have committee meetings and will not consider other bills except for a handful that have no opposition.

Real estate

A revision of laws governing real estate brokers and agencies will be reviewed by a Senate subcommittee at 10 a.m Wednesday in Room 307.

On the floor, the Senate is stalled in a filibuster against a law that would allow police to stop motorists who are not buckled in.

Current law requires people in cars to use seat belts but does not let police stop anyone just for that. People can be ticketed for not being buckled up only if they are stopped for something else.