COLUMBIA - Property-tax limit bills, including one sought by Pawleys Island residents, will get a public hearing Wednesday by a House Ways and Means subcommittee.

The town of Pawleys Island and the Pawleys Island Civic Association think the measure is so important, they have hired a lobbyist to help get the law passed.

One of the bills is sponsored by Rep. Vida Miller, D-Pawleys Island, but the panel also will consider two similar proposals.

The general idea of the proposals is to limit tax increases caused by rising property values.

The situation is acute in high-growth coastal areas where land closest to the water is increasing rapidly in value. That makes the taxes go up when property is reassessed every few years.

Owners think that puts their property out of balance with inland property that doesn't increase as rapidly in value, and that they are paying more than their fair share.

Opponents say capping someone's tax causes someone else's tax to rise.

The time of the hearing is uncertain, but it will be in the afternoon. The meeting is scheduled for 15 minutes after the end of the full Ways and Means Committee, which had not been scheduled as of the weekend but usually meets at 2 p.m. The meeting will be in Room 501 of the Blatt House office building.

Senior prescriptions

Another measure with local interest is the one setting up bulk prescription-drug buying plans for seniors. Horry lawmakers are sponsoring those bills in both the House and Senate. The subject is a top priority of the Silver Haired Legislature.

The bills were scheduled for hearing in a Senate subcommittee last week but were advanced to the full committee. The House already has passed its bill.

The committee meets at 9 a.m. Wednesday in Room 308 of the Gressette Senate office building.

Memorial bridge

The Robert M. Grissom Parkway overpass at U.S. 17 Bypass will be named in memory of Myrtle Beach police Officer Joe McGarry, who was killed in the line of duty. The Horry House delegation sponsored the bill, and it passed both houses last week.

Aynor recognition

Representatives from Aynor High School will be recognized on the House floor Wednesday for being named a national school of "exemplary volunteer service."

Rep. Liston Barfield, R-Aynor, sponsored the resolution congratulating Aynor High and inviting members to the House.

CCU trustees

Clark Parker of Myrtle Beach was re-elected to Coastal Carolina University's trustee board Wednesday along with longtime member Fred DuBard of Florence.

Trustees are elected in a joint assembly of the House and Senate. There was no opposition for the CCU seats. Also re-elected were Oran P. Smith of Leesville, Payne Barnette Jr. of Greenwood, Charles Hodge of Spartanburg, Samuel J. Swad of Gaffney, Gene Spivey of Conway and Daniel Moore Sr. of North Myrtle Beach.

Next week

Vernie Dove of Myrtle Beach and Guerry Green of Pawleys Island are scheduled for confirmation hearings before a Senate committee for their nominations to the Santee Cooper board.

Those hearings will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday in Room 308 Gressette.

The Senate will continue to debate the state's budget. Many House committees are meeting to take up Senate bills for possible passage this year.