*Bill would give issuers at least 1 year to make changes

*Maloney optimistic president will get bill this year

*Full committee could vote soon after April break (Adds committee vote, payment provision, Ackerman comment)

By John Poirier

WASHINGTON, April 2 (Reuters) - U.S. House lawmakers agreed on Thursday to give credit card companies at least one year to rein in unfair practices, dropping an original proposal for a three-month timeframe.

In a voice vote, a House Financial Services subcommittee approved a bill, called the "Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights." The chief sponsor of the bill is U.S. Rep Carolyn Maloney, a New York Democrat who was seeking to force credit card companies to change their ways within three months.

After a failed effort for faster reforms, Maloney remained optimistic that Congress would vote on a final credit card bill, especially after similar action taken by the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday.

"I'm extremely optimistic that we can deliver this important consumer victory to the president's desk this year," Maloney said.

The full House Financial Services Committee could vote on the bill soon after Congress returns from a two-week April break, aides said.