(AP) -- South Carolina lawmakers have agreed to take longer to repay federal loans for unemployment benefits as they try to reduce tax increases on employers.

The House gave key approval to the measure Wednesday that would add $109 million to the state's interest payments by repaying nearly $1 billion in federal loans in eight years instead of five.

The measure is expected to get final approval in the House on Thursday although details have not been completed.

Republican House Majority Leader Kenny Bingham of West Columbia said details of the breaks for employers will be worked out in the Senate.

That's because the House faced a May 1 deadline to get bills to the Senate and passing an incomplete bill keeps the measure alive.

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