The heated issue over Sunday alcohol sales re-ignited during the first week of the legislative session. State Sen. Jeff Mullis of Chickamauga is co-sponsoring a bill to allow it.

Bills have been filed in the Senate and House that, if passed, would allow local approval on such sales.

Senate Bill 16 was introduced by Sen. Seth Harp, a Republican from Midland, and cosponsored by fellow Republican Mullis and four other senators.

The Senate bill calls for local approval on whether to allow alcohol sales on Sunday from noon to midnight.

“I am against Sunday sales of liquor, but I am for local control, instead of being mandated to by the state,” Mullis said.

Mullis doubts rural counties would have an interest in voting on the issue.

The bill has been attempted in previous sessions. Gov. Sonny Perdue is vehemently opposed to the bill and has vetoed it in the past.

Walker County allows sale of beer and wine in stores on weekdays and Saturday. Restaurants zoned within the county may also sell beer and wine on weekdays and Saturday.

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Senate Bill 16: A bill to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 3-3-7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the local authorization and regulation of sales of alcoholic beverages on Sunday, so as to provide that in each county or municipality in which package sales of certain alcoholic beverages by retailers are lawful, the governing authority of the county or municipality, as appropriate, may authorize package sales by a retailer of such alcoholic beverages for any period of time on Sundays from 12:00 Noon until 12:00 Midnight, if approved by referendum; to provide procedures; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

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