Alcohol Committee to Meet in December

(NETWORK IN)  Indiana has debated its alcohol laws for decades. But the discussion will enter a new phase next month when a study committee issues its recommendations.

Senate President Pro Tem David Long says the findings of the study committee will carry a lot of weight when legislators begin discussing bills in January. He says the panel’s membership was designed to bring fresh eyes to the issue.

Liquor stores and supermarkets are now both endorsing Sunday sales, while opposing any expansion of cold beer sales. The two business groups have been stuck in a long-running statehouse stalemate, with liquor stores opposing both changes. Long says having two major stakeholders resolve their differences makes legislators’ job easier. But he says legislators will still decide what the best course is.

The commission has already recommended allowing Sunday sales, and Long says that recommendation plus growing public support makes that change likely to pass.