COLUMBIA - The extension of the legislative session gives the minibottle bills a better chance at passage this year.

Bills calling for the constitutional referendum to change the law requiring minibottles, and bills specifying how the change would be made, are close to passage in both the House and the Senate.

"I just need one more day," said Tom Sponseller, president of the S.C. Hospitality Association.

The group has wanted the change for years, and the proposal has never come this far.

The failure of the budget compromise last week means legislators will have to come back at least another week. This week was supposed to be the last of the session.

If they agree on the budget this week, Gov. Mark Sanford has almost a week to review it and veto line items if he sees fit.

Legislators would then reconvene to consider his vetoes. During that time, they can take up other business on the agenda.

It's not a setback for minibottle laws if the bills don't pass this year because the referendum cannot be held until 2004. But the further the proposals get this year, the more passage is ensured.

The hospitality and tourism industry want to end the minibottle requirement because the drinks are larger than in other states. Cocktails that use more than one kind of liquor also are more costly than in other states.

But those who want to continue to use minibottles could do so. The plan replaces the minibottle tax with a 5 percent cocktail tax.

Hunter orange

Rep. Billy Witherspoon, R-Conway, was happy the House overrode Sanford's veto of a bill that requires deer hunters to wear a piece of hunter-orange clothing.

"This is a safety bill," Witherspoon said. "We think this may save a life, and that's the reason we pushed for this so hard."

Sanford said people should make their own hunting safety decisions.

The House overrode the veto 86-22. All local legislators supported Witherspoon. The Senate has not yet taken up the veto.

Precincts

Rep. Tracy Edge, R-North Myrtle Beach, and Rep. Alan Clemmons, R-Myrtle Beach, got a bill through the House that changes two voting precincts.

Residents of Briarcliffe RV Park will now vote at Windy Hill instead of Dunes 3. That means the city of North Myrtle Beach will not have to set up special voting equipment for them in city elections.

Residents of Grande Dunes won't have to travel miles out of the way to Tilley Swamp Precinct to vote. They were changed to Dunes 1.

The bill should pass the Senate this week.

Next week

Harry Butler Jr. will have his confirmation hearing at the Senate Transportation Committee at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Butler was nominated to the Georgetown seat on the State Ports Authority.