COLUMBIA ? Local governments would lose power to impose tougher regulations on poultry operations with legislation the Senate sent to the House on Thursday.

Senators shut down a filibuster attempt by Sen. Phil Leventis, D-Sumter, and passed the bill with a 29-7 vote.

The legislation leaves the state Department of Health and Environmental Control with oversight of poultry operations.

"We feel like our regulations are protective of the environment," DHEC spokesman Thom Berry said.

Leventis argued for two hours in the Senate that the bill would harm local government and property owners. He said it was a power grab that tramples local government rights to set stricter standards.

The Coastal Conservation League says eight counties, including Berkeley, have restrictions more protective than DHEC's and that five other counties have been working on tougher regulations.

Farm Bureau Federation spokesman Reggie Hall said the legislation leaves local governments with the power to set zoning laws that would limit agricultural land uses. "Home rule is still in effect," he said.

In the Legislature

--Environmental regulations set to take effect next month likely will prohibit development on all but 250 marsh islands off South Carolina's coast.
--For a full report on the Legislature, go to www.charleston.net/webextras.