INDIANAPOLIS | A legislative panel on Tuesday recommended keeping intact state laws barring both the sale of cold beer in locations other than liquor stores and Sunday alcohol sales.
The vote to keep cold beer sales restricted to liquor stores was unanimous. Lawmakers didn't even discuss the question before voting.
John B. Livengood, president of the Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers, said he wasn't surprised a proposed expansion of cold beer sale locations failed.
"I think there was a general recognition of how much that would have really disrupted the marketplace," Livengood said.
In Indiana, only liquor stores are allowed to sell cold beer, often at a higher price than warm beer in the same store.
A coalition of grocery, convenience and other stores called Hoosiers for Beverage Choices argued that allowing any store with a liquor license to sell cold beer would reduce prices and improve competition. Liquor store owners claimed the change would drive them out of business.
Lawmakers on the alcoholic beverage study committee took testimony from dozens of witnesses during two months of hearings. A smattering of liquor store owners and employees attending the nearly five-hour hearing applauded after the vote was taken.
The vote to keep the block on Sunday sales was not unanimous, but only because lawmakers couldn't agree on the specific language to use in their final report.
A majority wanted to reject Sunday sales altogether, including state Sen. Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis.
"Sunday sales increases access to alcohol for minors and everybody else, doesn't increase taxes and leads to an increase of accidents associated with alcohol consumption," Taylor said.
Other lawmakers said advocates for Sunday sales just didn't prove their case.
"In terms of amending the public policy of the state, we have not heard sufficient information to make that decision," said state Rep. Matt Bell, R-Avilla.
No lawmaker spoke in favor of Sunday sales.
Indiana allows bars and restaurants to serve alcohol on Sundays.
Study committees are used by lawmakers to examine in-depth likely topics of future legislation. The General Assembly is not bound by the recommendations of its study committees.
State Sen. Jim Arnold, D-LaPorte, said he expects proposals to change both cold beer regulations and the Sunday sales ban to still be introduced in January.
