The years-long movement to liberalize Georgia’s Sunday alcohol sales law finally cleared both chambers of the General Assembly last week.
The proposal, dubbed the “Sunday brunch bill” around the Gold Dome, would allow for local referenda to determine whether restaurants and wineries could serve alcohol as early as 11am, an increase of 90 minutes from the current law.
The proposal, which leaves rules for the package sale of beer, wine, and alcohol by retail unchanged, heads now to the desk of Governor Nathan Deal for final consideration.
Elsewhere around the capitol …
The House unanimously approved legislation to broaden insurance coverage eligibility and benefits for children with autism spectrum disorder.
The bill, a version of which was already passed by the Senate, would raise coverage eligibility for those with autism from six years to 20, and increase the benefits up to $35,000. The bill now returns to the Senate for final agreement or adjustments.
The House Governmental Affairs Committee advanced legislation that would shorten the voting hours and reduce Sunday early-voting for the city of Atlanta. The bill was offered after a special election last year that included portions of Atlanta, where voting was allowed until 8pm, and Cobb County, where it ended at 7pm.
The Senate Regulated Industries Committed unanimously approved a House bill that would regulate daily online fantasy sports program. The bill, of which a version failed last year, would make illegal the participation of college athletes of persons below the age of 18, and would levy a 6 percent tax on businesses that operate the online leagues.
Sunday brunch bill clears Ga. legislature
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