SB396 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Alcoholic beverages, governing bodies of wet counties and wet municipalities authorized to regulate and permit Sunday sales and draft beer, Secs. 28-3A-23, 28-3A-25 am'd.

Summary

SB396 would allow wet counties and wet municipalities in Alabama to regulate and permit Sunday alcohol sales and draft/keg beer through local resolutions or ordinances.

What This Bill Does

If a county is wet, its county commission could pass a resolution to regulate and permit Sunday alcohol sales and the sale of draft or keg beer by licensed retailers, including setting hours after 2:00 a.m. If a municipality is wet, its governing body could pass an ordinance to do the same. These local powers would apply only in wet areas and would align with the state licensing framework; the act would take effect a few months after approval by the Governor.

Who It Affects

• Residents and visitors in wet counties or wet municipalities, whose ability to buy or consume alcohol on Sundays would depend on local rules adopted by the county commission or city council.
• Licensed retailers (such as bars, restaurants, and liquor/beer/wine shops) in wet counties or wet municipalities, who could sell alcohol on Sundays and draft/keg beer under local regulations (hours and on/off-premises options) and must operate within the state licensing framework.

Key Provisions

• Allows wet counties to regulate and permit Sunday alcohol sales and draft/keg beer by resolution, for licensed retailers.
• Allows wet municipalities to regulate and permit Sunday alcohol sales and draft/keg beer by ordinance, for licensed retailers.
• Specifies Sunday sales and draft/keg beer hours can begin after 2:00 a.m. on Sundays and may be limited to on-premises, off-premises, or both as determined locally.
• Amends Sections 28-3A-23 and 28-3A-25 to implement these local regulatory powers; takes effect on the first day of the third month after governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Alcoholic Beverages