SB 17, the latest iteration of the ‘Brunch Bill’ that has been a continuously contentious issue in recent years, passed the House Monday by a final margin of 97-64. The bill would move up the starting time for alcohol sales at restaurants in the state from 12:30pm to 11:00am, an hour and a half which according to supporters will have a huge impact on local businesses.
GA House gives final passage to Sunday Brunch bill, allowing sales of alcohol in restaurants at 11am pending a local referendum. Now goes to the governor’s desk. @wsbradio pic.twitter.com/mUYPGsSEi8
— Sandra Parrish (@WSBParrish) March 12, 2018
The ‘mimosa mandate,’ sponsored by Health and Human Services chair Renee Unterman in the Senate and in the House by Meagan Hanson, underwent several changes during its voyage through the Capitol this year, including seeing the alcohol-sales start time moved from 10:30am to 11:00 and having the ability for retail stores to sell alcohol earlier struck down.
Sunday alcohol sales have long been a contentious issue in the state legislature, as evidenced by Monday’s close vote. Many Conservatives are uneasy with restricting limits on alcohol sales, particularly on Sundays. Purchasing alcohol at all on the Lord’s day was only made legal in 2011, in Governor Deal’s first year in office.
While the bill failed in recent years to pass the Senate, its passage seemed an inevitability as more legislative leaders got on board and pressure from advocacy groups mounted. According to the Georgia Restaurant Association each restaurant that could sell alcohol starting at 10:30am would generate an extra $25,000 a year (an extra $480.77 on Sundays) which amounts to $100 million extra in revenue and $11 million in taxes. The 30 minute restriction will cut into those numbers slightly, but the economic impact will nevertheless be felt right away.
As boozy brunchers rejoiced there was one group that wasn’t so pleased with the results – local retailers who still see their ability to sell alcohol restricted to 12:30 on Sundays.
Georgia’s “Brunch Bill” has passed out of the legislature without giving Georgia’s retailers #parity with restaurants. Very disappointing but we’ll continue to fight to give customers the options they want! https://t.co/pyZFzNscxx
— georgiaretail (@georgiaretail) March 12, 2018
Expect to see yet another version of the bill, perhaps without the catchy title, rear its head in 2019.
