House stalls on minibottle referendum bill

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - South Carolinians might not get the chance to vote on the state's minibottle requirement after all.

Members of the state House took two votes on the proposal Wednesday, both coming up shy of the two-thirds necessary for approval.

The first vote was 72-34, 11 short of the 83 required. A second attempt drew even less support, passing 63-47.

Rep. Alan Clemmons, R-Myrtle Beach, forced the second vote. Despite its failure, he says he's hopeful the bill can get the two-thirds vote eventually.

Some in the state's hospitality industry hope to end South Carolina's rule that liquor served in bars and restaurants must come from the 1.7-ounce minibottles rather than free-poured from larger bottles.

An end to the minibottle law is supported by highway safety groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the South Carolina Baptist Convention, which say the tiny bottles make for a more potent libation than the standard 1- to 1.25-ounce cocktail.

Legislative hearings on the bill found that the new lower, 0.08 percent blood-alcohol level for drivers would be reached by some people after just one drink made with a minibottle of booze.

Vida Miller, D-Pawleys Island, voted for the referendum the second time Wednesday, but she said there were too many questions about how the change from minibottles to larger bottles would be implemented.

Miller says there should be an implementation bill passed alongside the referendum legislation. Last June, the House voted 94-10 for an implementation bill.

She also said she was reluctant to fool with the steady tax revenue that comes from minibottles, which are taxed individually.

There are conflicting studies about the change. The state economist has said the state will make money by doing away with minibottles, while a study sponsored by minibottle distributors points to a $6 million loss for South Carolina.

Rep. Tracy Edge, R-North Myrtle Beach, said it's difficult to get a two-thirds vote, especially toward the end of the session when "you've got people playing games."

Edge hoped to hold off another reading of the bill until next week - the final week of the legislative session - "and let the grassroots crowd jump on everybody over the weekend."

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Information from: The Sun News, http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/