COLUMBIA, S.C. - The House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday passed legislation that would allow restaurants to have liquor delivered to them from retailers and wholesalers.

Current state law does not allow for delivery of liquor, said Rep. Bill Cotty, R-Columbia, whose subcommittee passed the bill.

The legislation headed to the House floor also puts an extra 5 percent tax on drinks sold in bars and restaurants.

Voters approved in November a change in the state's Constitution that would allow restaurants and bars to use free-pour bottles to serve liquor instead of requiring them to use minibottles.

Legislation to implement the change is also under consideration in the Senate.

The Senate version would tack on an extra tax to each bottle of liquor sold and does not address delivery of alcohol.

Cotty said that version of the legislation shifts the tax burden to people who might be buying a bottle of liquor for private parties.

The Senate bill was given priority debate status Tuesday is expected to be up for debate in the next two weeks.