(Columbia-AP) Feb. 25, 2004 - The Senate gave final approval Wednesday afternoon to plans to scrap the state's requirement that bars and restaurants use only minibottles. The House had already approved a similar, though slightly different, bill.

South Carolina is the only state in the nation solely relying on minibottles, which contain 1.7 ounces of fluid, for liquor sales in restaurants and bars.

The Senate version of the bill would require that retailers pull one liter bottles of liquor from store shelves and allow them to be used only in bars and restaurants.

Consumers who like minibottles would also be able to buy them at retail stores, something not allowed under the current law.

Senator Phil Leventis of Sumter, who earlier filibustered legislation changing the minibottle law, pushed that amendment. He says the $7.35 tax that would be applied to those bottles would make sure the state loses no money from the change. Leventis said the state would lose $3.5 million in tax collections by stopping the use of minibottles, something supporters of the House bill dispute.

The Senate also gave final approval to a second minibottle bill that puts the whole issue before voters in November. The House has already passed bills putting the issue before voters. It would add a five percent cocktail tax on drinks.

Legislators will have to work out differences between the Senate and House versions of the bill before sending it to the governor.

If the House and Senate can agree on a measure, the issue would go on the ballot for voters to decide in November. Changing the state's minibottle law would require a constitutional amendment.

The legislation doesn't outlaw minibottles. Restaurants and bars could continue using them if they chose to do so.

Those in favor of the minibottle say there is some virtue in knowing exactly how much liquor goes into each drink. They say that is not the case in "free pour" states, where the bartender decides the amount of alcohol that goes into each drink. Supporters of minis also say it makes for an easier way of collecting taxes on liquor.

Opponents say the minibottle poses a danger to tourists who are used to receiving a 1.25 ounce drink in their home states. Groups including Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Hospitality Association of South Carolina want to change the state's law to allow free pour.

updated 7:37am by BrettWitt