The Senate Economic and Environmental Affairs Committee surprised Sen. Larry E. Haines, R-Carroll, Baltimore, by killing his Prisoner Of War/Missing In Action flag bill by a 6-5 vote Friday.

The freshmancommittee member said he had expected the bill to pass because no one testified in opposition to it and the committee chairman supported it.

Haines said he will ask the committee to reconsider the bill to clear up any confusion about the legislation. The bill would require principal county and municipal office buildings and the State House here to fly the POW/MIA flag during normal business hours to heighten awareness of the issue.

If eight of the 11 committee members agree to reconsider the bill, another vote can be taken.