I was reading the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle today and I noticed a little blurb about a Bill that was passed by the state assembly and will now go to the Senate. Here's the Bill....
A00914 Memo:
TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to issuance of summons and to repeal section 105-a of such law, relating to prohibiting the sale of beer for off-premises consumption on Sunday during certain hours.
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would repeal the section of law that forbids retail establishments from selling beer for off-premises consumption on Sundays between 3 A.M. and12 noon.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Repeals section 105-a of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
JUSTIFICATION:
This section of law is an archaic one, a holdover from the blue laws that were put into effect when most businesses were closed on Sundays and society was very different. With people attending religious services at varying times and days, not just on Sunday mornings, this prohibition doesn`t seem practical today. The law also needlessly inconveniences citizens whose faith or lack of faith has no relevance to Sunday morning. Also, by repealing this section it would make it easier for people traveling and families picnicking to stop at the store in the morning to get their groceries for the day. The bill would also eliminate a de facto mandate on small businesses who have to carry out the prohibition by denying customers their selected purchase.
http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A00914