COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina's blue laws might end under a bill that cleared a House Judiciary subcommittee Wednesday.

The bill would allow the sale of any retail item at any time on Sundays. It would not change state or local laws on alcohol sales.

The change comes in response to sharp differences in how the law has been enforced, said Rep. Ted Pitts, R-Lexington.

For instance, the half of Columbiana Mall that's inside Lexington County remains closed a few hours longer than the other half in Richland County.

Changing the law means the state will collect about $500,000 more in sales tax revenue, Pitts said.

The bill also clarifies that a worker who doesn't want to work on Sunday is protected as a "conscientious objector," unless they are an employee of a manufacturing or research and development company.

The bill now moves to the House Judiciary Committee.