A bill that could allow the sale of alcohol in stores on Sundays will get a long-awaited vote in the Georgia Senate Wednesday, and supporters and opponents are feverishly lining up commitments from lawmakers.
The Senate Rules Committee today added the bill to the list of 50 measures that will be considered by the full Senate.
Sen. John Bulloch, R-Ochlocknee, the bill's sponsor, said he isn't sure of the outcome of the vote.
"There will be some red votes and some green votes," Bulloch said. "I have no idea."
The bill had been considered all-but dead after the Republican majority in the Senate stalled its movement after a quick approval in committee. But in the past few days the GOP caucus cleared it to move again.
While its progress has thus far been blocked by a handful of Republicans, there are deep divisions among Democrats, too. The bill has support from top officers from both parties, such as Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock, and Senate Democratic Caucus chairman Doug Stoner, D-Smyrna.
"There are fractures . . . in both parties," Stoner said "I think you will have a very bipartisan vote for and against."
The lines fall according to geographical and philosophical differences. For example, Sen. Hardie Davis, D-Augusta, is a pastor, Stoner said, and a likely ‘no' vote. Stoner estimated six or seven Democratic senators might vote against the bill.
Sen. Vincent Fort said, D-Atlanta, said "Anybody who tells you they how the vote is going to shake out is presumptuous, at best."
Outside forces are mobilizing.
"If we can keep our Republicans and have a super majority of the black caucus and two other Democrats, we will keep Sunday safe from more alcohol consumption and its tragic consequences," said Jerry Luquire, president of the Georgia Christian Coalition. "We can all live without Sunday sales and consumption. It is for sure we won't all live with it."
But Jim Tudor, president of the Georgia Association of Convenience Stores, who supports the bill, said it's a positive sign that the bill will finally reach the Senate floor.
"We're hopeful that we will have something we asked for all along," Tudor said. "I never felt like this issue was ever going to go away, either this year or this decade, but we're pleased the Senate is addressing it. They're responding to what a lot of people have said."
Bulloch said he expects to offer one amendment to the bill. As currently drafted, the bill would allow local governments to hold referenda asking voters to decide if alcohol sales should be allowed in stores on Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Bulloch's amendment will make it clear that local communities can set their own hours for allowable sales anywhere in that 12:30 p.m to 11:30 p.m. window.
"Hopefully there will be enough votes to send it to the House," Bulloch said.
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