Legislative redistricting -- last year's million-dollar court battle -- is back for another round.

The state NAACP sent a foreboding letter Friday to state Senate leader Glenn McConnell, warning that a late attempt to redraw Senate district lines could prompt a second bruising court fight and more bad feeling.

McConnell, R-Charleston, pulled a bill out of the normal committee process Thursday and moved it to the top of the agenda so the Senate could pass new district lines this session.

The Senate must complete its work on the bill, approve it and send it to the House by Thursday to meet deadlines for legislation to pass this session, which ends June 5. It would be a grueling and unusual pace.

In his letter to the Senate president pro tem, NAACP president James Gallman said he had "grave concerns" over fast-tracking legislation -- especially as it could change the composition of districts without "voter scrutiny and public input."

Gallman asked for an opportunity to examine any maps before a vote is taken.

McConnell could not be reached Friday night for comment, but he has said it is the Senate's obligation to draw its own districts, and he wants to meet that obligation.

The dispute reopens reapportionment, a contentious and complicated process, a year after many legislators thought it was settled.

Legislative and congressional districts are redrawn based on new census figures every 10 years so that all districts will have roughly the same number of people.

The Republican-led General Assembly drew lines in 2001, but they were vetoed by then-Gov. Jim Hodges, a Democrat. A three-judge federal panel drew lines last spring after a monthlong court battle that cost the state more than $1 million.

House members ran for election under the new district lines in November. Senators are up for re-election next year and would be running under the new lines for the first time.

McConnell introduced a "skeleton bill" six months ago, as a blank page to draw new lines on. However, Thursday's move was the first major public attempt to broach the subject.

State Sen. Darrell Jackson, D-Richland, said redistricting has long been a way for the people in power to solidify their power, by drawing districts they can win. In South Carolina, he said, that historically has meant white legislators used districts to keep blacks from obtaining political power.

"What's the rush?" he said. "I trust the courts more than I trust the General Assembly."

McConnell's bill is co-sponsored by state Sen. Tommy Moore, D-Aiken. Moore could not be reached Friday night.

But state Sen. John Courson, R-Richland, said there is consensus in the Senate to redraw the lines now. If they are not drawn in the next week, it will be almost impossible for senators to run in new districts next year.

"I see every reason to do it," he said. "It's our responsibility."

The Senate plan would mirror the map senators passed two years ago, the plan that Hodges vetoed, Courson said. A goal is to put precincts back together that were split in the court map.

Jackson, state Sen. Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg, and others already have raised objections about both risking another court battle and the Senate's priorities.

"The problem is, here we are," Jackson said. "Teachers are losing their jobs, state employees are losing their jobs, and legislators are out there spending money to protect themselves."