COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler has filed a bill calling for more roll call votes in the Senate.
The Gaffney Republican said the bill filed Wednesday mirrors a bill filed Tuesday in the House. Both chambers are allowing members to introduce bills ahead of the Jan. 13 start of the two-year session.
Legislators want more roll call votes so their names will be tied to the fate of legislation. They say it will help voters hold lawmakers accountable.
In the Senate, it could be a tough sell since votes take much longer to record. Its 46 members respond orally with either a "yea" or "nay" after their names are called. The House's 124 members vote electronically in a few minutes.
Peeler said he's lined up 20 Senate co-sponsors. He expects to get the four more votes needed to get the bill out of the Senate.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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