Houston Chronicle by Monique Welch 6/30/2021
Waiting until noon to purchase wine and beer in stores will soon be a thing of the past for Texans thanks to an update in the state's current "blue law."
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, commonly known as the "Texas blue law," was enacted in 1961 as a way to regulate shopping on Sundays and observe it as a day of worship or rest. It prohibited the sale of 42 specific items including cars, liquor, knives, pots, pans and even washing machines.
It was repealed in 1985, however, some remnants of the old-fashioned law linger, like the prohibition of the sale of cars and liquor.
But part of that will change September 1 thanks to the passing of House Bill 1518 in the Texas legislature, which would allow the purchase time of beer and wine to start at 10 a.m. rather than the existing 12 p.m.
The two-hour jump allows bars and restaurants to sell alcoholic drinks with food service and stores to sell beer and wine earlier, but it will not eliminate the in-store ban on liquor sales on Sundays.
More:
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/food-culture/article/Soon-Texans-will-be-able-to-buy-beer-and-wine-16284528.php
