You can buy wine on Sunday: Governor signs bill, liquor stores can open Sunday

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It’s official. Starting this weekend, Tennesseans will be able to purchase wine and liquor on Sunday.

Gov. Bill Haslam signed the measure into law Friday, according to his office.

That means you’ll be able to buy wine and liquor in liquor stores perhaps as early as this weekend. It remains to be seen whether liquor stores will open this first weekend to take advantage of the new law.

But under the new law, sales of wine in grocery stores on Sundays must wait until Jan. 1.

► More: Sunday wine sales in Tennessee: What you need to know

► More: Gov. Bill Haslam says he’ll sign legislation allowing Sunday wine sales after Senate passage

The news comes after a somewhat controversial bill made its way through the legislature, including debates on whether there is biblical support for drinking wine.

The bill’s passage is to the chagrin of opponents who argued the Bible does not support drinking alcohol and to others who called the measure an affront to the state’s Southern culture.

But it’s a victory for the bill’s leading sponsor, Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, who also carried the previously passed measure to allow wine in grocery stores.

More details

In addition to the Sunday sales, the new law has several other provisions.

Here’s the breakdown:

  • Liquor stores can start selling wine and liquor this Sunday at 10 a.m. until 11 p.m.
  • Liquor stores can’t sell wine and liquor on Christmas, Thanksgiving or Easter
  • The new law requires liquor stores to mark up spirits by 10 percent and wine by 20 percent
  • The first Sunday grocery stores can sell wine is Jan. 6, from 10.m. to 11 p.m., but they may sell wine on any holiday
  • No additional liquor store licenses will be issued in jurisdictions that have issued licenses prior to April 1 or to applicants who have filed after April 19, until July 1, 2021

Lawmakers pass ruling to END Auto Emission Testing in Tennessee

The end of auto emission testing in Tennessee only needs the signature of Governor Bill Haslam….

On Monday (4/16/18) evening, lawmakers in the Volunteer State voted to end what many view as the burdensome auto emission testing of vehicles. The bill was introduced by two Chattanooga lawmakers who said that the testing is no longer necessary because Tennessee is now in compliance with federal clean air standards.

Opponents of the bill say the state’s vehicle emissions testing in metro areas is an important tool to ensure clean air. Many residents don’t agree and also want to see the testing dropped.

As passed, the bill actually bans counties from entering into or renewing contracts regarding vehicle inspection and maintenance programs to maintain compliance with national ambient air quality standards.

If the governor signs off on the legislation, we could see the end of emission testing as early as June.