Limousine
drivers could sell martinis, champagne and other alcoholic beverages to
their passengers under legislation that passed the Georgia House on
Thursday. Senate Bill 385, sponsored by state Sen. Don Balfour
(R-Snellville), passed by a 128-26 vote.
Expanding alcohol sales in Georgia has emerged as a highly
contentious issue this year. Another Senate bill pending in the House
would make it possible for stores to sell alcohol on Sundays.
The legislation originally would have only allowed Sunday alcohols sales in a new minor league ballpark in Gwinnnett.
But a House committee amended the bill to include Sunday package
sales, setting up a showdown between House Speaker Glenn Richardson
(R-Hiram), who supports Sunday package sales and Gov. Sonny Perdue, who
opposes it.
One House member suggested Thursday that the limousine bill should also be amended to include Sunday package sales.
"Since we're expanding alcohol sales to limousines and other
carriers," asked Rep. Stephanie Stuckey-Benfield, "shouldn't we also
expand alcohol sales to Sunday?"
House Rules Committee Chairman Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs), who
presented the bill to the chamber, replied, "Representative Benfield,
this is not Sunday sales as you well know. You may have a chance later
in the session to make that point."
"I hope so," Benfield replied.
