ASSOCIATED PRESS, COLUMBIA, S.C. - The South Carolina State Guard wants to set up an air wing to help out the National Guard during emergencies.

To make that happen, they want the State Guard's unpaid members to be covered by the state for accidents they might have while delivering doctors or supplies to disaster areas. The House Ways and Means Committee approved the plan Wednesday.

Committee Chairman Dan Cooper, R-Piedmont, said State Guard members who own planes have wanted to use them during emergencies. But they needed approval from the state and the Federal Aviation Administration to participate with the National Guard during emergencies.

Cooper says the pilots will have to have $1 million in liability insurance coverage on their planes and the state will cover damage costs above that.

The legislation also makes State Guard pilots eligible for workers' compensation benefits.

The state's adjutant general, who commands the National Guard, would be responsible for overseeing and training the State Guard's emergency air wing.

The legislation now heads to the House floor for debate.