North Country Assemblywoman Russell says restaurants, bars will benefit from legislation permitting alcohol sales before noon on Sundays

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell says a bill allowing alcohol sales before noon on Sundays will be a boon for local restaurants, bars and brewers.

The state Assembly passed legislation Friday that will allow bars, taverns and restaurants to begin selling alcohol for on-premises consumption at 10 a.m. on Sundays.

The bill rolls back several provisions of the 80-year-old Alcohol and Beverage Control blue laws, including a rule that prohibits the sale of alcohol for on premises consumption before noon on Sundays.

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, said she supported the legislation, which passed the Assembly by a 106-21 vote.

"This proposal had strong support in our region. This will be a benefit for establishments that feature Sunday morning brunches, including resorts catering to guests that are critical to the growth of our tourism industry. Other provisions of the law will benefit our growing wine and craft brewery businesses in our state. This will also be a welcome as we promote our ever growing wine trails in the North Country," Assemblywoman Russell said.

Other provisions of the law will benefit our growing wine and craft brewery businesses in our state," Assemblywoman Russell said.

Some of the changes included in legislation:

• Expands Sunday sales at restaurants and bars by changing the statewide opening hours from noon to 10 am. In addition, the agreement enables these licensees to apply for a permit, limited to twelve per year, to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises on Sundays between 8 a.m. and the new 10 a.m. opening hour in areas outside New York City.

• Combines craft manufacturing licenses into one application to reduce paperwork for small businesses.

• Allows wineries to fill their customer’s growlers. In addition, the agreement authorizes wineries and farm wineries to allow customers to take home partially finished bottles of wine.

• Permits liquor stores to sell gift wrapping and gift bags to their customers.

Proponents argued the Blue Laws were antiquated and dated back to an era when the population was much less diverse.

The Sunday morning provision of the new law will take effect immediately after Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signs the law.