Sunday alcohol sales get House approval in Georgia

ATLANTA The state House committee in Georgia revived a measure to permit Sunday alcohol sales at grocery and convenience stores. The discussion has been on the table for more than a year.

The House Regulated Industries Committee tacked an addendum for grocery and convenience store Sunday sales to another bill proposing Sunday beer sales at a minor league baseball stadium. The retooled bill passed unanimously.

Backers say that Sunday is the busiest shopping day of the week at grocery stores, and retailers have been losing millions each week due to the prohibition. Opponents argued that there are already plenty of opportunities for consumers to purchase alcohol 6 days a week, and also voiced concern about public safety if sales are allowed every day.

Republican senator Renee Unterman, who originally brought the stadium bill to the floor, said that she had intended only for Sunday beer sales at the baseball stadium and expressed disappointment at the added measure.

The bill could go before the full House for a vote by next week. The Senate would then have to approve it, and then a vote would go to the general public for approval.