COLUMBIA, S.C. - A naval militia would be re-established in South Carolina under a bill the Senate Judiciary Committee approved Tuesday,

A maritime security commission would oversee the militia and it would operate under the State Law Enforcement Division, according to the bill.

The militia was created in 1892, but became part of the federal government in 1917 as the U.S. Naval Reserve.

The new militia would protect ports as part of the state's homeland security efforts in cooperation with the Navy and Coast Guard.

The bill now heads to the Senate floor.