The top two Republicans in the Indiana Legislature said Thursday that legislation that would overturn an unusual law and allow more stores to sell cold beer is dead this legislative session.
Indiana will likely remain the only state that restricts who can sell cold beer after a Senate panel voted Wednesday to uphold a closely guarded law that protects the interests of liquor stores.
A Senate committee is scheduled to consider another bill Wednesday afternoon that would allow convenience and grocery stores and pharmacies to sell cold beer.
The Senate public policy committee voted unanimously Wednesday to advance the proposal, which would allow carryout sales of alcohol throughout Indiana for an eight-hour period on Sundays, sending the bill to the full Senate for amendments or approval.
Sen. Ron Alting said the Sunday sales measure will be heard Wednesday. He also has scheduled a hearing for Jan. 17 on a bill that would allow convenience and big-box stores to sell cold beer.
The decision gives new life to efforts by Monarch, the state’s largest beer and wine distributor, to sell liquor in Indiana—efforts that have been shot down repeatedly by the Legislature and have led to several other lawsuits.
Since taking office nearly a year ago, Holcomb has ducked substantive policy questions about everything from abortion and gun rights legislation, to federal health care policy or whether Indiana convenience stores should be able to sell cold beer.
Public opinion polling suggests the general public widely supports allowing convenience and big-box stores to sell cold—and not just warm—beer.
Lawmakers returning to the Statehouse in January for their 2018 session will face questions about alcohol, autonomous vehicles, hate crimes and more.
Alcohol Code Revision Commission members were at odds over whether the sale of cold beer would allow for an increase in sales or would simply provide better service for customers. Others were adamant they needed more public input.
Two powerful lobbying groups say they have resolved differences that previously led state lawmakers to give up on efforts to overturn the Prohibition-era Sunday carryout sales ban.
Beverly Gard has been chosen to chair Indiana’s Alcohol Code Revision Commission, which has been tasked with updating the state’s alcohol laws, many of which have not been changed since the end of Prohibition.
The Indianapolis brewery plans to expand its reach outside Indiana for the first time with distribution to “hundreds of liquor and grocery stores, bars and restaurants” in the two new markets.
The Indianapolis-based alcohol wholesaler had challenged Indiana laws that prevent beer wholesalers from also selling liquor.
The survey was commissioned by the Indiana Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association in conjunction with a campaign to overhaul alcohol laws.
Legislative leaders formally announced Thursday that they will form a study commission to look at ways to overhaul Indiana's antiquated and confounding alcohol laws.
The bill sets such a high bar that Jay Ricker, who started selling carryout cold beer at two of his Ricker’s convenience stores, says he will have to stop sales by April 2018.
The latest version of the bill still needs required signatures from legislative leaders—and it still requires approval from both the House and Senate.
The Senate voted 40-8 to approve House Bill 1496, which would likely prevent Ricker’s from selling cold beer for carryout after its annual permits expire next year.
Lawmakers worked Wednesday to keep legislation alive that addresses a legal loophole used by Ricker's convenience stores to sell cold beer at two of its 50 locations.
