IN: No big changes likely to Indiana booze laws

IndyStar

By Zach Osowski

October 11, 2016

INDIANAPOLIS — Sunday sales seem unlikely to be a recommendation from the Interim Public Policy Committee to the Indiana Legislature after several hours of testimony showed no changes in what lawmakers have heard before.

Liquor stores are still against selling alcohol on Sunday and groups fighting alcohol abuse and underage drinking don’t want changes to Indiana’s law that would make alcohol easier to obtain.

The committee was tasked with looking at the state’s alcohol laws and seeing if there are any changes the Legislature should make when the General Assembly convenes in January. The committee heard from a number of speakers, including one who wanted to allow cold beer sales at gas station convenience stores.

Scot Imus, executive director of the Indiana Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association, made his pitch that convenience stores should be able to chill the beer they currently have to sell warm. He said the convenience stores can serve ale and wine cold but are prohibited from selling cold beer. He said that restriction runs counter to the free market and “picks winners and losers.”

“There’s no justification for it from a public policy standpoint,” Imus said.

He also argued the concern some have over the idea of cold beer being available to people who are driving is a moot point in Indiana. Imus said there are examples of liquor stores attached to gas stations where people can get gas and buy cold alcohol in the same trip.

Most of the discussion focused on Sunday sales, which has been a hot topic in Indiana’s General Assembly for years. Lawmakers have been unable to strike the a balance between the desires of liquor stores and big-box stores such as Wal-Mart.

Patrick Tamm, CEO of the Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers, said just allowing alcohol sales on Sundays without any provisions would harm liquor stores.

“We’re not equipped to change our business model to accommodate for Sunday sales,” Tamm said.

Several people also testified against adding more opportunities for people to buy alcohol in Indiana, saying it would increase underage drinking, drunken driving and other alcohol-related crimes.

Lisa Hutchinson with the Indiana Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking, asked lawmakers to think carefully before amending any laws significantly.

“Please don’t sacrifice public safety for customer convenience,” Hutchinson said.

The committee will make recommendations at its next meeting, scheduled for Oct. 25.