Sunday Alcohol Sales Bill Coming Back For 2008 Session

(1/29/08) The push to allow Sunday sales of alcohol in communities which give their OK in a referendum will be back for the 2008 legislative session, two key industry groups say. The Georgia Association of Convenience Stores and the Georgia Food Industry Association announced Monday that they will continue to press the effort they began last year.

“We consistently hear from our customers that they want their communities to decide whether alcohol should be sold by retailers on Sunday, and one credible poll after another is backing this up,” said Jim Tudor, President of GACS. “Sunday Sales legislation is as popular as ever and the intensity behind the movement is growing stronger every day the legislature doesn’t act on it.”

He said a recent AJC- Mason Dixon poll asked 625 registered voters, “Do you support a proposal to permit counties to hold referendums to decide whether or not they will allow the sale of beer and wine in grocery stores on Sundays?” 65% of respondents supported Sunday Sales with only 33% opposing. Most notably 41% said they strongly support the proposal, signaling tremendous intensity behind the proposal.

“Based on feedback we are receiving from our customers and our overwhelming support in public opinion polling, we are committed to moving this legislation through the General Assembly,” said Kathy Kuzava, President of GFIA.

Sunday Sales legislation, SB 137 was approved by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee in 2007 but did not receive a vote in the full Senate. The bill was recommitted for 2008.