The House and Senate both passed legislation yesterday that will allow Sunday morning liquor sales. HB 6007, legislation originally designed to create liquor licenses for retirement homes, was used as a vehicle bill to allow for Sunday morning sales and other things requested by the alcohol industry (wholesaler items, community college licenses, wine auction licenses, on-premises alcohol tasting for wine and beer sellers, retirement center licenses, etc).
Specifically, the bill creates new Sunday morning permits that businesses can purchase as part of their liquor license. The permit will cost the business $160, and the proceeds from these permits will be deposited in the state general fund. The language also allows any county, city, village or township to prohibit Sunday morning sales by majority vote of the legislative body or by a majority of electors voting at a regular state election (after a petition is submitted by the voters).
The League had previously worked with both the House and Senate on this language, and was supportive of the bill because it retains local control and provides the local unit of government with the ability to allow or deny these new Sunday morning permits.
The bill has been sent to the Governor, who is expected to sign the legislation into law with immediate effect.
Andy Schor is the Assistant Director of State Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. Contact him at (517) 908-0300 or by email at aschor@mml.org.
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