COLUMBIA - The skirmish over school start dates continues this week when the House Education and Public Works Committee takes up about 20 local bills waiving the existing rule for certain districts.

The state Board of Education passed a rule in December, requested by tourism interests, that makes schools start between the Monday before Labor Day and the Wednesday after.

But many legislators and school districts disagree with the rule.

The waivers, unlike most local legislation that is sent directly to the affected delegation and not to the full House or a committee, were sent to the Education Committee while people on both sides worked on a compromise.

The attempt was to make the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test date later, so schools that started earlier to have more time to prepare for the crucial test might be encouraged to start later.

But nothing later than the second week in May was offered, while local legislators and the hospitality industry said it needed to be at least the third week in May.

After those talks fell apart, a bill giving all districts the power to set their own calendars passed the House 94-18 on Wednesday.

Horry legislators said they don't know if there is any point in fighting the local bills.

The discussion on the bill and among legislators in the halls showed that many from areas that attract few tourists still see the issue as something to benefit only Horry County, and they do not believe studies that say the state loses $250 million by the shortened vacation season.

Other than the local bills, the next action will come in the Senate. Senate Education Committee Chairman Warren Giese, R-Columbia, said he plans to hold hearings on the issue, even though the state Board of Education did that last summer and fall.

At the same time, Giese is one of 19 co-sponsors of a bill similar to the one that passed in the House, guaranteeing all districts the right to set their own calendars.

The hatted hunter

The hunter orange bill passed easily last week after earlier hesitations raised by some members to the measure sponsored by Rep. Billy Witherspoon, R-Conway.

Hunters must wear something of international orange at least on their way to and from a stand.

Witherspoon brought an orange hat for Rep. Ken Kennedy, D-Greeleyville, who the week before had set off a gaggle of giggles when he said he didn't wear anything while hunting.

Kennedy hugged Witherspoon after the bill passed and said later he likes the hat just fine.

"I'm going to put this on and streak with it behind my house," he joked.

McGarry memorial

Horry County's six House members introduced a resolution asking that the Robert M. Grissom Parkway bridge over U.S. 17 Bypass be named for Officer Joe McGarry of the Myrtle Beach Police Department.

McGarry was the first city police officer to be killed in the line of duty.

The resolution asks the state Department of Transportation to name the bridge and erect signs.

Such requests are normally granted.

Coming this week:

The minibottle hearings resume at 9 a.m.

The subcommittee considering measures to end the requirement to use minibottles had planned to meet last week but postponed because one member could not attend.

At 9 a.m. Thursday, a House subcommittee takes up a bill to rewrite the state's liquor laws to make them easier to read. The measure folds 60 existing regulations into 19 and changes some outdated provisions, such as storage space requirements.