Members of Beaufort County's legislative delegation say they're intrigued with the idea of creating a coastal caucus, a voting block charged with looking out for the common interests of coastal areas.

The idea, which has failed in the past, is being pushed now by Republican Rep. Bill Herbkersman of Bluffton and House majority leader Jim Merrill, a Republican representing the Charleston area. Merrill said Wednesday he wants to start serious discussions about the caucus when the General Assembly convenes Jan. 11. The caucus could include 40 or more members of the House and Senate.

Sen. Scott Richardson, R-Hilton Head Island, saw previous attempts to form such a caucus in the mid-1990s, when he served in the House. He said the efforts failed in part because few issues were pressing enough to "get people up the coast riled up," and lawmakers ultimately concentrated on local concerns.

But now, Richardson said, nearly all coastal areas are dealing with rising property taxes and roads groaning under expanding populations.

"Those two issues could be the glue that holds this thing together," he said. "We've all got severe road problems, and we've all got severe property tax problems."

Herbkersman said Thursday that collective clout also could help on issues like environmental protection. Rep. Catherine Ceips, R-Beaufort, cited efforts during the previous session to secure $5 million to rebuild the Hunting Island beach as evidence of what can happen when coastal lawmakers work together.

"We talk and work informally on some things," she said, "but it would be good to meet once a month, talk about issues we're dealing with and lock down votes for things that are good for the coast."

Herbkersman also said that for all the cooperation necessary to make such a group work, and for all the mutual goals it should work toward, one major aspect is purely parochial: Ensuring the coastal areas get back more state dollars.

"The coastal communities are donors," he said. "We should be working together to see that more donor money is returned to these areas."

Herbkersman said he envisions a caucus that includes Democrats and Republicans, and said he doesn't think interparty or regional rivalries would split a new organization.

He said the caucus that would meet regularly to discuss issues but would be one step short of a formal, sanctioned organization. Newly elected Rep. Richard Chalk, R-Hilton Head, said he supports a caucus but worries a formal one could splinter lawmakers into factions.