COLUMBIA, S.C. - A bill that would reduce the amount of property taxes paid by golf courses in South Carolina has passed a House committee.

The bill approved Wednesday would assess golf courses at $500 an acre plus a percentage of profits, rather than based on fair market value of the land.

Sen. Clementa Pinckney, D-Ridgeland, said he will not allow the golf course bills to pass because they are an unfair tax break not available to other owners of valuable property who have little money.

The House version of the golf course bill would cost other taxpayers about $7.2 million. The Senate version of the same bill would cost $6 million.

Rep. Bill Cotty, R-Columbia, said the tax break was similar to one used for farm and timber land. He said the break would help the courses, which are important to the state's largest industry - tourism.

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Information from: The Sun News, http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/