S.B. 10 Passes Senate; Legislation Moves to House for Consideration
ATLANTA, GA – Georgia is one step closer to allowing Sunday liquor sales, according to the Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS), which today praised the Senate passage of S.B. 10 giving local communities a chance to decide for themselves. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Bulloch, passed the Senate by a vote of 32 to 22 and now moves to the House for consideration.
“We’re very pleased the Senate passed SB 10,” said Jay Hibbard, Council Vice President. “This bill gives communities the right to decide for themselves on Sunday sales. Adopting this bill is a win-win for consumers and ultimately the State Treasury. In a down economy, Sunday sales are a creative way to bring in revenue while also serving Georgians who want the convenience of Sunday shopping. We congratulate the Senators for their careful debate and passage; and also urge swift passage in the House.”
Hibbard pointed to a recent analysis which showed that statewide Sunday sales of spirits alone in Georgia would generate between $3.4 and $4.8 million in new tax revenue for the state. “Prohibition-era laws have no place in today’s economy,” he said. “As more states figure that out, we’re seeing fewer Blue Laws.”
Hibbard further noted that since 2002, 14 states have modernized their alcohol laws by passing legislation allowing Sunday Sales of distilled spirits – leaving Georgia one of only three states still banning the Sunday sale of beer, wine and distilled spirits at package stores (CT & IN).