MS may soon allow liquor sales on Sunday after House passes new bill. What to know
Mississippi is one of four states that prohibit the sale of liquor on Sundays, but a new bill seeking to change that is gaining traction among lawmakers.
The Mississippi House passed bills Tuesday, Feb. 10 during the regular session that would allow local authorities to decide on the legality of alcohol sales Sundays and legalize the direct shipment of liquor to residents’ homes.
Here’s what to know about the potential changes to alcohol sales in Mississippi.
What exactly does the bill do?
House Bill 672, drafted by Rep. Brent Powell, would amend Mississippi law to allow local governing authorities of wet jurisdictions to decide whether to legalize the retail sales of liquor on Sundays or not. The bill passed in the house on a 62-47 vote.
A separate bill by Powell, House Bill 669 — which passed in the House on a 75-32 vote — would authorize the direct sales and shipments of liquor to residents in Mississippi.
What’s the current alcohol sales law?
Currently, liquor stores can be open between 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday in Mississippi, according to the state’s Department of Revenue.
They are not allowed to open and sell liquor on Sundays or on Christmas Day. Any local restrictions can be found here.
What happens now?
The bills will now move to the Senate for a vote. If they pass in the senate, the bills will be sent to Gov. Tate Reeves who may sign them into a law or veto them.
Which states close liquor stores on Sundays?
While selling liquor on Sundays varies by county in some states, the following four have statewide laws requiring liquor stores to close on Sundays:
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- Texas
- Utah
