A state Senate subcommittee is preparing to debate the good, bad and ugly aspects of livestock and poultry farms and whether home rule should supersede the state when it comes to regulating them.

It's an open wound to many environmental groups and local governments who see the possibility that such animal operations, especially hog farms, could grow beyond their grasp to
control.

The House bill, originally introduced by Rep. William Witherspoon, R-Conway, ran the full course through various committees before finally reaching the House floor where, following several amendments, it ultimately passed.

Although the bill's focus no longer exclusively singles out hog farm operations, many opponents say its broader approach, which includes the state's powerful poultry industry, is reason to keep worrying.

"There's still great concern," said Nancy Vinson, water quality program director for the S.C. Coastal Conservation League. "We need to remain diligent because the farm bureau and poultry industry have activated their grassroots."

The amended House bill stipulates that tougher county legislation overseeing livestock and poultry operations, enacted before Jan. 1, would take precedence over state rule.

Bo Shatterly, counsel for the S.C. Association of Counties, said Monday that such concessions are steps in the right direction, but much more is needed.

"All that does is set five or six counties apart from the others," he said. "It's still not a good bill because it doesn't recognize that there are different needs in different areas. One size doesn't fit all."

Shatterly added it would be difficult to support the bill because of its potential for the "erosion of local government authority and would negate the ability of local citizens to petition for relief."

However, several members of the state Senate Judiciary Committee, where the matter will be taken up next, say they realize the issue will require extreme consideration considering the equally extreme scrutiny it will receive from the public.

"The subcommittee will try to be as fair and objective as possible," said Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Hartsville. "I know most people, including myself, don't want it to usurp home rule."

Malloy said he recently visited a hog farm operation in Dillon County.

"The way it was kept was impressive, but we have to consider the overall impact on the community and be fair to our neighbors," he said.

Malloy said if the bill still focused specifically on hog farms that it would probably "not last very long" in the Senate.

"But there are still problems with the poultry farms too," he said. "We've got to be consistent in our decisions. That's the challenge."

Sen. Danny Verdin III, D-Laurens, said he leans strongly toward poultry operations, but is still undecided about the hog farms issue until he hears more.

"We have a pretty significant poultry industry," he said. "I'm keenly interested in this because of my close proximity. Poultry production is one of the bright spots in the industry."

He added that his support of the poultry industry's interests is moderated by an awareness to be "environmentally responsible."

Malloy said his constituency will largely be the voice behind his conscience when it comes time to vote on the matter.

"Darlington County has made it abundantly clear they don't like the prospect of a hog farm coming," Malloy said. "If it's something we couldn't live with in our community, I would have to end up opposing it."

The Senate Judiciary Committee meets at 9 a.m. Thursday in room 308 of the Gressette Building in Columbia.