A bill sponsored by Sen. Dick Elliott, D-North Myrtle Beach, ensures that city and county governments can ban casino boats. Federal law allows states to ban them but is unclear on whether local governments can. State laws banning the boats have failed to pass. The only casino boats in the state are in Little River. The bill was not acted on last year.

Minibottles

Bills setting a November referendum on ending the requirement to use the 1.7-ounce minibottles are poised for passage in both the House and the Senate. South Carolina is the only state left that requires bars to use only minibottles. The change is a top priority of the hospitality industry.

School start date

A bill sponsored by Rep. Billy Witherspoon, R-Conway, and Rep. Vida Miller, D-Pawleys Island, asks for an advisory referendum on whether all schools should start after Labor Day. Also, one of the first House agenda items is a resolution sponsored by Horry County's delegation urging all districts to start school close to Labor Day. The tourism industry says earlier starting dates have caused revenue loss.

Tax cap

A bill sponsored by Rep. Vida Miller, D-Pawleys Island, would cap property tax increases based on rising values at 15 percent, but it is likely to be rolled into consideration of broader tax reform.