Locals can decide to sell alcohol earlier on Sundays

Boozy morning brunches just got one step closer to becoming a reality for Georgia residents.

Gov. Nathan Deal on Tuesday signed legislation that allows voters to decide to sell alcohol earlier in restaurants and wineries on Sundays.

The "brunch bill," Senate Bill 17, lets cities and counties ask local residents if alcohol should be sold at 11 a.m. on Sundays. Current law prohibits alcohol sales before 12:30 p.m. on Sundays.

It’s now up to city and county officials to decide if they want to ask voters to change the law.

Anticipating Deal would sign the bill, Woodstock City Council last month approved a resolution that will put the question on an upcoming ballot.

Versions of the legislation have made it through the House chamber in prior years, but they stalled once they reached the Senate.

Gov. Sonny Perdue and the Senate killed several attempts during the late 2000s to pass bills allowing alcohol sales at stores on Sunday. Legislation allowing such sales finally passed in 2011, during Deal's first year in office.

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Credit: AP