‘Brunch Bill’ passes, could be headed toward local referendums

CLAYTON — Mimosa lovers could be enjoying their drinks a little earlier on Sundays now that Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has signed Senate Bill 17.

Known as the Brunch Bill, the new law signed Tuesday gives local municipalities that already have Sunday alcohol sales the option to decide through a ballot referendum if they would like to roll back Sunday on-premise consumption sale hours from 12:30 p.m. to 11 a.m.

Communities who do not currently allow Sunday alcohol sales will be required to have two ballot referendums. One to vote Yes or No to implement Sunday sales and another to decide if their local time will be 11 a.m. or remain 12:30 p.m.

In order for the referendum to appear on the November ballot a resolution or ordinance needs to be passed by city and or county governments by July 31. Reached for comment after the signing, Clayton City Manager Cissy Henry said it has been discussed but it is up to the mayor and council to come to a decision in the coming weeks.