On February 11, the Mississippi House narrowly passed a controversial bill that would allow stores across the state to sell alcohol on Sundays.
The bill, authored by Rep. Brent Powell, a Brandon Republican, would open the door to stores in wet areas selling alcohol on Sundays between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Counties and municipalities must pass local ordinances or resolutions authorizing stores to sell alcohol on Sundays, putting control of alcohol sales in local hands.
Under the bill, stores would not be required to sell alcohol on Sundays, even if a county or city adopts the policy.
As shown, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed a bill during a special session in May that would allow Sunday restrictions on alcohol sales in wet counties.
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Jackson-area representatives were divided on the bill, with five voting in favor, three voting against and two not voting. The city of Jackson is a wet area for alcoholic beverages, but it’s sandwiched between dry areas in Hinds and Rankin counties, according to the Department of Revenue.
Exactly half of the 61 members of the House of Representatives voted in favor of the bill. The vote marked a major milestone for the bill, which had been defeated in committee for three consecutive years before successfully passing on February 10.
The House bill awaits an uphill battle in the Senate, where another bill sponsored by Sen. Jeremy England, R-Vancleave, died in committee on Feb. 3.
This article originally appeared in the Mississippi Bugle-Ledger: Mississippi stores can start selling alcohol on Sundays
