ALBANY- New Yorkers may soon be able to pick up their favorite wine or liquor on Sunday mornings.
The proposal was among the recommendations of a state panel formed in last year’s state budget to modernize and simplify state liquor laws. The Commission to Study Reform of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law voted on 28 possible proposals, passing 18 of them. One of those not included was the controversial idea of allowing the sale of wine and liquor in grocery stores. Previous attempts to move forward with that proposal had been met with loud push-back from small retail liquor store owners.
The recommendations of the panel are not binding and will be sent to Governor Hochul for her consideration.
The final report due out next week is set to include several reforms:
- Changing the state’s “Tide House Laws” which restrict someone with an interest in say a bar from also having an interest in a distribution business.
- Allowing the sale of wine and liquor on Sunday mornings
- Clarifying the standards for a liquor store license
- Allowing the same person to own more than one wine or liquor store in the state. If this were approved, the legislature would need to determine what cap, if any, should be placed on ownership.
- Allowing bars and restaurants to make limited purchases from liquor stores. Presently, all bar purchases must go through a wholesaler.
Once reviewed by Governor Hochul, these recommendations will be forwarded to the state legislature for action. State Senator James Skoufis (D-Cornwall) who chairs the Senate Committee on Investigations and Operations which has oversite responsibility for the State Liquor Authority, will have a key role in the process.
The state legislature is scheduled to be in session until June 8th and consideration of these changes could begin as early as the next few weeks.
