COLUMBIA--A House subcommittee approved a bill last week that would prevent state agencies from using public money to hire lobbyists. The debate now moves to the full Judiciary Committee.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Jim Merrill, R-Daniel Island, prevents state agencies or departments from using public dollars to hire someone to lobby the Legislature. An agency could use one of its employees to lobby on its behalf.

The bill does not apply to foundations established by institutes of higher education.

Don Weaver, president of the South Carolina Association of Taxpayers, threw his support behind the bill. "We don't think it's fair that taxpayers should have to pay lobbyists," he said.

But Gary Cannon, spokesman for the Municipal Association of South Carolina, said the bill prohibits local governments from lobbying. It would "preclude direct contact" between local government and lawmakers outside committee meetings, he said.

Rep. Jim Harrison, R-Columbia, said public money was not clearly defined in the bill.

And Rep. Seth Whipper, D-North Charleston, said the bill "doesn't really help with all we are confronting."