Georgia Legislative Watch

A vote on Sunday alcohol sales, SB 16, has been delayed for one more week:

A key Senate committee had to put off a vote on allowing Sunday alcohol sales at stores Wednesday because not enough lawmakers showed up to vote.

The Senate Regulated Industries Committee was set to vote on legislation by Sen. Seth Harp (R-Midland) that would let local voters decide if they want Sunday beer, wine and liquor sales at stores.

Georgia is one of three states in the country with a total ban on Sunday sales. The legislation has been stalled in the Senate the past three sessions and some lawmakers have expressed reservations about going on the record on the issue.

The Christian Coalition of Georgia, which opposes the bill, has said it would include the issue in its political scorecard that goes out to voters.

Supporters of the bill had hoped to get it approved Wednesday to set up a Senate floor vote. But only two senators showed up for the committee meeting, not enough to provide a quorum.

Senate Regulated Industries Chairman David Shafer (R-Duluth) said the issue will be considered again next Wednesday.