COLUMBIA (AP) -- A second South Carolina legislative panel has approved a measure to counteract the health care overhaul signed by President Obama this week.

A House Judiciary subcommittee on Thursday passed a proposed constitutional amendment opposing new federal mandates to buy health insurance or face fines.

The vote follows Tuesday's signing of the nearly $1 trillion landmark legislation and attorneys general from South Carolina and a dozen other states suing to block the law.

On Wednesday, a Senate Judiciary subcommittee approved a bill requiring South Carolina's attorney general to challenge the mandates and a proposed constitutional amendment to pre-empt federal health insurance mandates and fines.

Senators said they don't expect a constitutional amendment to pass this year.

(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)