Sunday liquor sales could be coming to Mississippi. See details

• A bill that would allow Sunday liquor sales has narrowly passed the Mississippi House.
• The bill gives local counties and municipalities the authority to permit Sunday sales.
• Stores would be allowed to sell liquor between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Sundays.

A contentious bill that could allow stores to sell liquor on Sundays throughout the state narrowly passed the Mississippi House on Feb. 11.

The bill, authored by Rep. Brent Powell, R-Brandon, would open the door for stores in wet areas to sell alcohol on Sundays between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Counties and municipalities would have to authorize stores to sell liquor on Sundays through a local ordinance or resolution, placing control over alcohol sales in local hands.

Stores would not be required to sell liquor on Sundays under the bill, even if the county or municipality adopts the policy.

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Jackson-area representatives were split on the bill, with five voting for it, three voting against and two not voting. The city of Jackson is a wet area for alcoholic beverages, according to the Department of Revenue, but it is sandwiched between dry portions of Hinds and Rankin counties.

Exactly half of the House, 61 members, voted in favor of the bill. The vote marks a major milestone for the bill, which died in committee three years in a row before its successful passage on Feb. 10.

An uphill battle awaits the House bill in the Senate, where its companion, sponsored by Sen. Jeremy England, R-Vancleave, died in the committee phase on Feb. 3.