The final three days of the 2005 legislative session begin today , and while much of the attention will be on the race to be the next speaker of the House, there are bills aplenty still on the agenda — but little time to get them passed.

House and Senate leaders say compromises on new rules for liquor by the drink, seat belts and the state retirement system are all priorities.

Likewise, final action on criminal domestic violence and job tax credits is still possible before Thursday’s mandatory adjournment.

“There are a couple of significant pieces of legislation I’m hopeful we’re going to get passed,” said House Speaker David Wilkins, R-Greenville.

Here is where some of those bills stand:

• Seat belts — The House must decide whether to accept the Senate’s version of this bill, which would allow police to stop adult drivers solely for not wearing their seat belts.

If the House goes along, the bill heads to Gov. Mark Sanford, who has threatened to veto it. If representatives insist on their own version, a conference committee would be appointed to find a compromise.

• Minibottles — House and Senate negotiators continue to be hamstrung over who is allowed to sell liquor in big bottles to bars and restaurants.

Still, a deal is expected, and free-pour liquor could start flowing — and minibottles could disappear — by the end of the summer.

• Jobs Creation Act — A conference committee will meet to seek a compromise. The bill would create an income tax credit of up to 25 percent for business investment.

• Criminal domestic violence — An issue that galvanized attention in the General Assembly still has not been dealt with. The bill would toughen penalties for spouse abusers.

It has passed the House and Senate, but in different forms. It appears headed for a conference committee of House and Senate members to work out a compromise.

• State retirement system — A bill that would make the state TERI program less attractive — and could increase worker contributions to the system — has passed the House and Senate, although in different forms. A conference committee has been in search of a deal.

• Sine die — Lawmakers are working on a plan that would allow them to return for a few days in mid-June to consider possible gubernatorial vetoes.

Reach Gould Sheinin at (803) 771-8658 or asheinin@thestate.com.