COLUMBIA - Horry and Georgetown County House members say they are well-positioned with the committee assignments handed out Wednesday, with at least two members on each of the three most-active panels.

Committee assignments are made by Speaker David Wilkins, R-Greenville.

Rep. Liston Barfield, R-Aynor, was appointed to the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee to replace Tom Keegan, the Surfside Beach member who retired this year.

"Overall, we're probably in the best shape we've been in for committees," said Rep. Tracy Edge, R-North Myrtle Beach. Edge was reappointed to Ways and Means.

Most of the bills go through the Ways and Means; Judiciary; and Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs committees, Edge said.

Barfield, who has not previously sought assignments with heavy workloads, asked for the appointment and got it based on his seniority.

He was not available for comment, but Edge said Barfield's appointment "continues to reinforce the importance of Horry County and the overall position of the economy of the state."

Rep. Billy Witherspoon, R-Conway, said Barfield "has earned that through the time he has been up here" and that "he'll do a good job there."

Ways and Means clocks more work hours than any other committee, and meetings can be daylong and hectic when the budget is in process, from now until late March.

Freshman Rep. Nelson Hardwick, R-Surfside Beach, asked for the Judiciary Committee, but newcomers seldom are appointed to it. He was sent to Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.

"I'm happy," Hardwick said. He said he knew he had little chance of being appointed to Judiciary.

The committees met after assignments were handed out.

Witherspoon was re-elected chairman of Agriculture without opposition. Local members assigned to his committee are the two area newcomers. Carl Anderson, D-Georgetown, wanted the panel because of the farming in his district. Hardwick, a civil engineer who specializes in environmental issues, is a good fit for the committee, Witherspoon said.

Clemmons was elected second vice chairman of Judiciary. That post puts him in a position to help decide which legislation the committee will work on, Clemmons said.

Thad Viers, R-Myrtle Beach, was reappointed to Judiciary.

The Senate does not hold a similar pre-session organizational meeting.

Senators will pick committee assignments based on party and seniority when the session convenes Jan. 11.