COLUMBIA--Senate Republicans say new rules adopted at the start of the session effectively removed roadblocks to legislation, but Democrats are not as sure.

"As far as the actual workings of the Senate, I don't think (the rules) really had an impact," said Senate Minority Leader John Land, D-Manning.

"We just haven't had the controversial issues this session that we normally have."

Republicans, who hold 26 of the 46 seats in the Senate, say this was the most productive session in recent memory.

"You saw it, absolutely," outgoing Senate Majority Leader Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, said of the new rules' impact.

"We would not have had the tremendous legislative year we've had."

The new rules were designed to prevent the kind of logjams that have stalled many bills in the Senate.

For example, last year Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, managed to kill a stronger seat belt bill by filibustering.

This year, McConnell, who pushed for the new rules, stepped aside, and today that bill is on Gov. Mark Sanford's desk.

Democrats decried the end of an era when the rules were adopted in January.

The new rules lowered the number of votes it took to stop a filibuster and limited senators' ability to unilaterally block legislation.

Now that the session is over, a few things are clear:

-- The Senate rarely had the meltdowns that spiced up past sessions. There were fewer filibusters, and fewer bills that took weeks of work on the floor.

-- No senator was forced to end a filibuster, despite the rules change in rules.

-- Two major issues illustrated the change. The seat-belt bill and bills limiting lawsuits, jury verdicts and business' liability.

Last year, Leatherman said, "tort reform locked us down."

But this year, the General Assembly passed those bills.

On that issue, senators refused to stop a filibuster, even though the rules were designed to allow it.

Rules Committee Chairman Larry Martin, R-Pickens, said that proves Republicans did not "run over anybody" with the new rules.

Both parties acknowledge that there was less partisanship in the chamber than in past years, despite the Republicans' taking away Democrats' last vestige of power -- the ability to appoint a member to conference committees.

Sen. Nikki Setzler, D-West Columbia, said the difference is less the rules than a change in atmosphere.

"You've had an atmosphere of people working together," he said. "Every member in there has a role in the process and are entitled to represent their people. Everybody came here ready to work."

Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Hartsville, said the Republicans have realized they need the Democrats.

"There are factions within the majority party," Malloy said. "They can't often get unanimity, which is good for everyone."