A Senate committee formed to study the future of the state's ports has wrapped up its investigation, releasing a report last week that gives little direction as to how the General Assembly should deal with unresolved waterfront issues.

The Senate finance subcommittee on ports, a seven-member group led by Sen. Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, said in a four-page report that it has held three hearings since January. The intent was to learn more about a dispute between the State Ports Authority and Jasper County over who should develop a new deepwater port on the South Carolina side of the Savannah River.

During its hearings, the group saw presentations by the SPA, Jasper County, private terminal developer SSA Marine and the state Department of Commerce.

SSA Marine and Jasper County are working on a $500 million port terminal that would be operated by the private firm. The SPA, however, is seeking court approval to move forward on its own public terminal at the same site in the county, and has said the project is necessary for the state's ports to stay competitive and continue to serve shipping customers.

The various groups have initiated at least three separate legal maneuvers to take the lead in the race to build the new port.

Both the SPA and Jasper County have begun condemnation proceedings in dueling attempts to secure land ripe for port development. The property is on the South Carolina side of the river, but the state of Georgia bought it years ago for use as a dredging dump site.

The SPA also has filed a lawsuit against Jasper County and has asked the state Supreme Court to grant the authority the sole right to develop seaports in South Carolina.

The committee gave no recommendations in its report but merely presented the information it gathered to the finance committee for review.

PASSPORT PAYOUT

It's going to cost a little more to leave the country. Passport fees have increased, thanks to new security surcharges.

The renewal fee for adults rose last month to $67 from $55. First-time applicants now will pay $97 instead of $85, and the cost for children under 16 years went to $82 from $70.

The extra $12 helps pay for a complete redesign of the passport. The new documents contain a chip that will register a person's name, address, birthplace, birthdate and photo as soon as they check into customs. The State Department also is requiring travelers from many other countries to use similar security devices to cross U.S. borders.