The rulings placed the service of several local officials in doubt, saying they may have to resign if their associates need to come before the governing body or do business with its staff.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Alan Clemmons, R-Myrtle Beach, and puts into law the guidelines that had been considered adequate in the past to handle such situations. The public official must announce a conflict of interest and abstain from the discussion and vote.

The second part of the bill rules that routine dealings between business associates and staff are not a conflict of interest to a public official.

The Ethics Commission ruling a year ago said if an elected or appointed official's business associates or relatives needed to come before the body, the official would have to resign. In the fall, the commission followed with a ruling that said associates or relatives of elected or appointed officials could not do business with the government body's staff.

Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes was among officials who could have been affected by the first ruling. He is the director of the Beach Ball Classic basketball tourney, which seeks funds from the city.

Newly elected Horry County Councilman Brent Schulz did not take his office until last week, after the Ethics Commission reconsidered. Schulz is an engineer in a firm that does extensive work with clients who are building and developing in the county and must obtain permits and get plan approvals.

The bill passed the second of three readings in the House with no opposition. The third reading is a formality scheduled for Tuesday, and the Senate should receive the bill on Wednesday.

Contact ZANE WILSON at 357-9188 or zwilson@thesunnews.com.