Texas Legislature May Let Liquor Stores Open Sundays and Extend Hours the Rest of the Week

The Sunday ban on liquor store sales in Texas -- a law since 1935 when the Texas Liquor Control Act was passed in response to the repeal of Prohibition -- could be history this year.House Bill 1100 to allow liquor sales on Sundays was introduced in the House by State Rep. Richard Pena Raymond, D-Laredo. The bill seems to be looking to be more convenient to shoppers adding hours to the rest of the week. * The bill allows liquor stores to be open noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday.* Liquor stores would still be closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.* The bill also extends the regular Monday through Saturday liquor stores hours, now 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., by two extra hours. The new operating hours would be 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. with the exception of Sunday.* It adds Sundays to the days that wholesalers are allowed to make deliveries to retailers. Christmas would be the only day that wholesalers can't make deliveries as the bill is written now.If passed, the law would take effect on Sept. 1.Almost all states allow liquor sales on Sundays. Minnesota dumped its Sunday alcohol sales ban in 2017. Indiana, the only state to ban any carryout beer, wine and liquor sales on Sundays, did it last year to the dismay of all stores on the state borders with Illinois and Michigan.It's not clear how many states are left, but Indiana was considered a holdout.Texas wasn't quite so rigid and has allowed beer and wine sales from grocery stores and convenience stores after noon on Sundays.Everything you want to know about Texas blue laws is in this recent Curious Texas story.   Continue reading...