Distilled Spirits Council releases video highlighting need to remove archaic sales ban
Texas State House Representative Richard Raymond introduced HB 937, a bill striking down the state’s prohibition-era ban on distilled spirits sales on Sundays. The bill also extends the hours of sale at package stores on Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
“The overwhelming majority of states, including all those surrounding Texas, give adult consumers the option to purchase their favorite distilled spirits any day of the week they choose,” said DISCUS Senior Director of State Government Relations Kristi Brown. “Unfortunately, the same is not true for Texans who are prohibited from making distilled spirits purchases on Sundays. It’s well past time Texas consumers had the freedom to choose when to make their spirits purchases. We applaud Rep. Raymond for introducing this bill which will provide increased convenience to consumers and additional revenue to the state.”
The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) released the following video highlighting the need to remove the outdated Sunday sales ban in today’s modern marketplace, where Sunday is the second busiest shopping day of the week.
According to Distilled Spirits Council of the United States estimates, the Sunday sale of spirits would generate between $7.8 and $15.6 million in new tax revenues for the state.
Since 2002, 21 states have passed laws permitting Sunday sales, bringing the total to 43 states. Outdated Sunday sales bans remain in Alabama, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Utah.