COLUMBIA, S.C. - The House Judiciary Committee approved a bill Tuesday that could put an end to South Carolina's patchwork of Sunday sales restrictions.

By voice vote, the panel approved a measure that might bring an end to the so-called "blue laws" governing when stores can open on Sunday.

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

Before the vote, lawmakers noted that businesses can be at a disadvantage depending on their location.

For example, most of the Columbiana Centre is inside Lexington County and opens later on Sunday than the mall's one store that sits in Richland County. The neighboring counties have different Sunday sales restrictions.

The bill also attempts to improve protections for people who have a "conscientious objection to Sunday work."