Minibottleneck unplugged

South Carolina is the only state that requires the use of minibottles in bars and restaurants. Plans to scrap that requirement won final approval Wednesday in the Senate. Here are highlights of the latest version of the proposal:

• Retailers would pull one-liter bottles of liquor from store shelves and allow them to be used only in bars and restaurants.

• Sen. Phil Leventis, D-Sumter, who has blocked the bill for weeks, said that requirement and a $7.35 tax on liter bottles is the only way the state could be assured it would not lose money from the change.

• Consumers who like minibottles would be able to buy them at retail stores — not allowed under current law.

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

• The bill still faces major opposition, particularly from the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, which supports keeping the current law.

• The Senate also gave final approval to a second bill that would put the minibottle issue before voters in November.

• Gov. Mark Sanford is waiting to see what is approved before deciding whether to sign on.

From Wire Reports