Contested Wine in Grocery Stores Bill Begins Legislative Journey

Senator Bill Ketron’s wine-in-grocery stores bill will be up for vote in a Senate committee hearing on Tuesday. Photo Credit Red White and Food

A measure to allow grocery stores to sell wine begins working its way through the state legislature this week. A Senate committee has set aside two hours this afternoon to hear from supermarkets which want the change, and from liquor stores which currently have control of all wine sales in Tennessee.

Senator Bill Ketron of Murfreesboro is sponsoring the controversial legislation, which in past years has had trouble getting through the upper chamber.

“After about four or five years of debate, discussion, etc., it’s been voted on in the House, but this will be the first time that it’s ever been voted on in the Senate.”

Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey says he’s hopeful wine-in-grocery stores will pass, though he’s not convinced it can. Some lawmakers have already vowed to vote no, viewing liquor stores as small businesses in need of protection.

Unlike in previous years, this bill would only give cities the option to allow wine to be sold in grocery stores, with the final decision resting with voters.