COLUMBIA - The minibottle referendum bill passed a House subcommittee 4-1 on Thursday, with a member of the House leadership saying he intends to see it pass this year.

A subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee approved the bill setting a referendum in the 2004 elections, which would, if approved, remove minibottles from the state constitution and leave liquor sale methods for legislators to establish.

A separate bill on how that would be done is awaiting action on the House floor. Companion bills are waiting to be addressed on the Senate floor.

Rep. Jim Harrison, R-Columbia, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, supports the change. When Rep. Creighton Coleman, D-Winnsboro, wanted to delay action, so one of his constituents could come to speak on the issue, Harrison objected.

"Time's running short" for action this year, Harrison said. Coleman voted against the bill.

The full Judiciary Committee will take up the bill next week.