Since 1974, in an effort to eliminate the hodgepodge brown-bag laws in South Carolina, the state turned to minibottles as a way to serve alcohol.

At that time, 19 other states also used minibottles; however, since 1994, South Carolina has remained the only state that uses minibottles exclusively.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving and more than 20 other organizations concerned with highway safety and alcohol abuse have supported the change from exclusive use of minibottles to adding the option of free pour from larger bottles. The minibottle bill was enacted in a constitutional amendment in 1974 and will, therefore, require a constitutional amendment change to move away from its exclusive use.

In the 2004 general election ballot, voters will decide the question as to whether they want to get away from the exclusive use of minibottles and offer the option of free pour in addition to the minibottle option.

The proposal does not end minibottles. It will simply add the option of free pour from a larger bottle.

I introduced this legislation four years ago for highway safety purposes and reintroduced it again this legislative session.

Finally, during the last week of session this year, both the House and the Senate agreed upon putting the minibottle constitutional amendment on the November general election ballot. Especially in the tourism areas, visitors from out-of-state who are accustomed to getting drinks of 1 to 1.2 ounces are served from a minibottle that serves 1.7 ounces.

We also recently changed the driving-under-the-influence law, under federal mandate, from [a blood alcohol level of] 0.10 to 0.08.

We are pleased that this minibottle legislation will go to the voters, and we will all be judged by the outcome as to whether we continue with the exclusive use of minibottles or provide the option of free pour in the future.