Alabama cities may soon have the power to allow Sunday morning alcohol sales in restaurants after the Alabama House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to give them the power to do so.
According to the Associate Press, the bill would allow counties and cities that have legalized Sunday alcohol sales to allow restaurant sales to start mid-morning, as opposed to the current start time of noon or later.
Rep. Juandalyn Givan (D-Montgomery) sponsored the bill and said areas may look to start alcohol sales earlier in the day to support the restaurant industry.
“For the state, you’ve got extra sales tax, income tax, liquor tax. For the businesses, you’ve got more revenue, and for people working those businesses, you have extra income,” said Tom Sheffer, owner of Avo and Dram restaurant in Mountain Brook told WIAT. “For consumers, guests, you just have more choice, which is always a positive.”
The so-called “brunch bill” prompted two hours of debate in the House which ended in a 43-25 vote in favor.
The bill now heads to the Alabama Senate.