S.C. legislative action for Feb. 17-23

The seventh week of the session:

STATE BUDGET: College spending would be cut by about $10 million and state agencies would lose more than $61 million under final approval given Thursday by House budget writers to a spending plan for the next fiscal year. Their proposed $7 billion budget is balanced mostly because it taps reserve, trust and surplus cash that agencies have been able to set aside in the past couple of years. The spending plan heads to the House floor in two weeks. Gov. Mark Sanford had called for deeper budget cuts out of worry that the economy is slowing. He wanted lawmakers to cut spending by $326 million, or 4.6 percent, compared with the current budget.

DRUNKEN DRIVING: The fines and prison time that repeat drunken drivers face would hinge on how much alcohol they have in their bodies under a measure that received key approval Wednesday in the Senate. Senators also decided to increase the punishment for first-time offenders with at least 0.16 percent alcohol in their blood — double the legal limit of 0.08 percent. The legislation still faces several hurdles. Gov. Mark Sanford also said the penalties are still too weak.

PAYDAY LENDING: The Senate agreed to tougher new restrictions on payday loans Tuesday but stopped short of banning the industry in South Carolina. The restrictions include a borrower database, loan caps and a ban on multiple loans in a seven-day period. Advance America Cash Centers spokesman Jamie Fulmer said the industry is willing to work for more protection for consumers. The bill still could be changed and needs to be heard in the House.

DRUG TESTING CANDIDATES: Voters are closer to deciding whether political and judicial candidates would have to pass drug tests in South Carolina. The proposal, filed after state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel was indicted last year on a cocaine distribution charge, passed a Senate panel Thursday, its first step to landing on the ballot in November. It still must make it through the Senate Judiciary Committee and get a two-thirds votes in the Senate and House.

HEALTH INSURANCE: Gov. Mark Sanford signed a bill Tuesday that gives small businesses another way to offer their employees health insurance. The Republican governor signed the bill into law at a Columbia tire and auto service shop. He said the new law is another way to help make health insurance more affordable. It allows a group of at least 10 small businesses to join together and negotiate cheaper insurance rates than an individual business. The new law removes the minimum number of employees but adds a minimum number of businesses.

COCKFIGHTING: Cockfighting would become a felony under legislation passed Thursday by a Senate panel and which would bring South Carolina in line with 35 other states. The bill would increase possible jail time and fines for fighting game birds, owning them for the purpose of fighting or attending a cockfight. Currently, cockfighting is a misdemeanor with no minimum fine or sentence, and possession is not a crime. Game breeders argued cockfighting is a centuries-old sport practiced by their ancestors. Opponents said if South Carolina doesn't toughen the penalties, it will attract fighters from other states.

VOTER REGISTRATION: A House panel approved a measure Wednesday that would have voter registration forms require people to list birthplace. Proponents said the current method of just checking a box to indicate citizenship isn't enough. While that measure was approved, the panel did not take any action on a proposal that would require voters to show a photo ID when they go to the polls. Currently, voters can show either a photo ID or a voter registration card. The state Election Commission told the House Judiciary subcommittee it would cost $2.5 million to put pictures on voter registration cards.

REQUIRING RECESS: Children need to be able to run around and burn energy every day at school so they're better focused in the classroom, a high school senior told a Senate panel Wednesday. Legislation suggested by Libby Boerger, 18, would require elementary school students get at least 20 minutes of recess daily. Concern for students' health led to a 2005 state law that required elementary students get at least 150 minutes of physical activity weekly. At least 90 minutes must come from physical education class and the remaining time can be recess, but that breaks down to only 12 minutes daily. The Senate Education subcommittee did not vote on the bill. They said they might try to change the 2005 law but don't want to micromanage classrooms.

GUNS AT CAPITOL: South Carolina legislators with permits to carry concealed weapons should be able to enter the Statehouse without having to leave their guns at home, a first-term legislator said Thursday. Currently, it is illegal to have a weapon on Statehouse grounds, which includes the underground parking deck. Rep. Keith Kelly's bill would extend that exemption to current legislators with permits. The Woodruff Republican said it doesn't make sense that he has to remove his gun from his truck before traveling the roughly 80 miles to Columbia. A House panel postponed voting on the bill as it considers a few changes.