Lawmakers pass liquor-related bills

MONTGOMERY -- The Legislature on Thursday approved two liquor-related bills for Florence and Sheffield.

The Senate approved a bill by Rep. Marcel Black, D-Tuscumbia, giving the Sheffield City Council the authority to schedule a referendum on Sunday alcoholic beverage sales.

The Senate also passed a bill by Rep. Tammy Irons, D-Florence, authorizing the sale of draft and keg beer and malt liquor in Florence.

The measures go to Gov. Bob Riley for consideration. Riley usually approves local legislation.

Sheffield Mayor Billy Don Anderson said the city council will have to first receive the new law before it can consider a referendum.

Voters would be asked to approve Sunday alcoholic beverage sales after noon on Sundays only for licensed restaurants and hotels.

"I look for that to be a separate referendum by itself as soon as the time is right for us to properly advertise for it and plan for it,'' Anderson said.

A separate bill would authorize a slightly different Sunday liquor referendum in Class 6 cities, which includes Sheffield. That bill is not yet passed but could be considered on the last day of the legislative session.

"You could probably pass off-premise (sales) but I promised to take care of hotels and restaurants,'' Anderson said.

The draft beer bill also goes to the governor's office for consideration. It would authorize the city council to implement regulations for draft beer sales at retail licensees of the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control B Board.

Smokehouse Billiards and Grill owner Steven Bustos said he'll probably sell draft beer if the bill becomes law. "Most people say it just has a cleaner taste to it,'' he said.

Also Thursday, Riley vetoed a Dekalb County local bill that would have set up a new committee that would spend Tennessee Valley Authority in lieu of tax money.

His veto portends a negative reception to most of the other similar bills for north Alabama counties that are being passed in the waning days of the legislative session.

North Alabama legislators are creating local commissions to divvy up an extra $3.2 million siphoned from TVA payments made in lieu of taxes that normally would go to TVA counties and cities.

The committees would be controlled by nonelected officials who would answer only to the legislators who appoint them, although legislators say they'll ensure the money is spent on what it's earmarked for -- education, recreation, economic development, volunteer fire departments and any other lawful purpose.

"This proposed legislation attempts to establish a fund which could be used purely for political purposes by members of the Community Development Commission," Riley's veto message said. "The appropriate expenditure of these funds should be under the authority and control of local governmental officials who can most appropriately prioritize local needs."

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