Numerous alcohol bills up for debate

MONTGOMERY -- Bills affecting alcohol sales in northwest Alabama were addressed by the Legislature this week.

One of those bills passed the House on a 59-28 vote Wednesday and would authorize Sunday alcohol sale referendums in Florence and Sheffield and 12 other cities. Two legislators abstained.

Florence already has limited Sunday alcohol sales, restricted to restaurants and hotels, but Sheffield does not allow Sunday alcohol sales.

Sheffield has a local bill filed that would allow the city to move forward with enacting a similar ordinance to what Florence has now.

In addition, a House committee approved a bill earlier this week authorizing alcohol liquor sales at the Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville and authorizes simplified Sunday sales at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Colbert County.

The House Tourism and Travel Committee approved a bill by Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, D-Red Bay, that authorizes alcohol sales at state park resorts where alcoholic beverages are now not sold.

The bill also authorizes hotels, convention centers, golf courses and clubhouses financed or owned by the Retirement Systems of Alabama to sell alcoholic beverages any day of the week.

If approved, they would still have to be licensed by the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

A spokesperson for Gov. Bob Riley said Morrow's bill affecting state parks isn't Riley's bill.

Morrow, chairman of the House Tourism and Travel Committee, said the bill is good for tourism.

"The hospitality and tourism industry wants Sunday liquor sales because many conventions begin on Sundays and convention goers want alcoholic beverages," he said. "This is not a moral issue; this is an economic issue.''

Earlier, Morrow's committee shelved a bill by Rep. James Thomas, D-Selma, that would have authorized certain cities to set Sunday sale regulations without a vote.

State Rep. Fred Ford, D-Gadsden, said his bill that affects Florence and Sheffield is a negotiated compromise that allows city councils to set local referendums on Sunday alcohol sales and regulate the sales.

It would not affect Florence unless the city wanted to expand its Sunday sales bill to allow other businesses, like grocery stores, to sell alcohol on Sundays.

"This does not mandate Sunday sales,'' Ford said. "The city council must call for the referendum and also set up an ordinance on how it will be applied. What we want to do is leave it up to the local governing body.''

Ford's bill is sought by the hospitality, tourism, grocery, and retail industries. It was opposed by religious leaders and some legislators on moral grounds.

The bill now goes to the Senate where it will join a logjam of hundreds of bills.

If approved, the legislation would affect Alexander City, Anniston, Athens, Decatur, Dothan, Enterprise, Florence, Gadsden, Ozark, Selma, Sheffield, Sylacauga, Talladega and Tuscaloosa.

These cities allow alcoholic beverage sales six days a week, while Florence allows Sunday sales in limited locations.

Dana Beyerle can be reached at (334) 264-6605 or dtb12345@aol.com.