Sunday alcohol sales likely, cold beer sales at grocery unlikely in 2018
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Hoosiers are just a few weeks away from the new year, and the start of the 2018 legislative session.
On Wednesday, hundreds of people got together to talk one-on-one politics and hot topics with lawmakers. It was part of the 26th annual Bingham Greenebaum Doll law firm’s legislative conference.
Legislators talked about a variety of things, but one of the talkers was an extra day to buy booze in 2018. Beverly Gard, a former Indiana Senate member, is the chair of the state’s Alcohol Code Revision Commission, which recently recommended lawmakers approve Sunday sales from noon to 8 p.m.
Gard said it’s possible Sunday sales could happen in 2018.
“I think the Legislature is seeing that it’s something the public has felt very strongly about. This recommendation as a strong recommendation from the commission,” she said.
State Sen. Ron Alting, a Republican from Lafayette, is creating the Sunday sales bill. He also will lead the committee that oversees alcohol policy.
“I think I can get it through. I think the timing’s right. I look forward to the challenge.”
In previous legislative sessions, Hoosiers have heard from some liquor store owners and other outspoken groups who are against Sunday alcohol sales. Alting said he’s wording the bill carefully.
“Do not add anything to that that’s going to be extremely controversial, that’s going to lose votes, that could possibly kill the bill,” the state senator said.
Prospects for beer sales at groceries still chilly
The commission also looked at how cold beer is sold in Indiana. The state currently limits carryout sales of cold beer to liquor stores and some restaurants, so it cannot be bought at groceries or convenience stores, where warm alcoholic beverages can be sold.
Gard said, “I don’t think cold beer sales will happen in 2018.”
She said a proposal to expand cold beer sales didn’t get enough votes for the commission’s approval, so its members were not recommending that.
Gard said, if Sunday sales passes, the alcohol commission recommended raising alcohol taxes and fines for violations. The goal with those changes, she said, would ultimately help the Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission‘s excise officers with enforcement and compliance with state alcohol laws.