COLUMBIA,
S.C. (AP) - House members on Wednesday approved a bill that
would allow bars and restaurants to use free-pour liquor
rather than minibottles.
The House gave the bill second reading on a 90-10 vote.
After a standard third reading Thursday, the bill heads to the
Senate.
Changing the state's minibottle law would require a
constitutional amendment. If the bill is approved by the
Senate, the issue would go on the ballot for voters to decide
in November.
A separate bill, which the House approved in June during
the first half of the two-year session, would allow bars and
restaurants to sell free-pour drinks as well as minibottles
and would add a 5 percent cocktail tax on drinks.
South Carolina is the only state that requires bars to use
the 1.7-ounce bottles. Minibottle supporters say the state
would lose revenue if it switched to free pour.
