Sunday morning liquor sales would be legal under bill Mich. lawmakers OK; bill goes to gov.

Michigan might allow Sunday morning liquor sales

LANSING, Mich. — Sunday morning liquor sales would be legal in Michigan under a bill approved Wednesday by the Michigan Legislature.

The wide-ranging bill was one of the last ones voted on as lawmakers wrapped up work on the state’s spending plan for the fiscal year that starts Friday. It’s one of several bills that will be reviewed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm once it reaches it her desk, and it would need her signature to become law.

Under the new measure, alcohol sales could start at 7 a.m. on Sunday, a change from the current law banning them from 2 a.m. to noon. Sellers would have to pay an extra $160 for a special license, which would permit sales up to 2 a.m. Monday. The money from the licenses would go to the state budget.

The broad bill also would expand options for wine and beer-tasting functions and having alcoholic beverages at catered events with appropriate licenses.

Proposals to extend liquor sale hours, including Sunday morning sales, have been proposed for years but have not become law. There have been some disagreements over what fees should be charged to allow the sales, and some conservatives have opposed allowing the sales out of respect for the Sabbath.

Allowing Sunday sales might help certain establishments that have lost business because of the state’s smoking ban that took effect earlier this year, said Lance Binoniemi of the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association.