Sunday alcohol sales at grocery stores clears House panel

ATLANTA - A Georgia House committee has revived Sunday sales at grocery and convenience stores.

At a packed hearing at the Capitol, the House Regulated Industries Committee voted unanimously on Wednesday to attach the Sunday sales measure to another bill that lets a minor league baseball stadium in suburban Atlanta serve beer at Sunday games.

Church leaders told lawmakers that expanding alcohol sales would contribute to an overall moral decline. Business leaders said consumers have been clamoring for the change and cast it as an issue of local control. Under the bill, it would be up to voters to approve Sunday sales in their community.

Georgia is one of just three states that don't allow stores to sell alcohol on Sundays. The others are Connecticut and Indiana.

The bill is now headed to a vote on the House floor and must also pass the Senate. Gov. Sonny Perdue has suggested he doesn't like the idea.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)