Wortz, Bellino bills would simplify process for voters to end ‘blue law’

State Rep. Jennifer Wortz and state Sen. Joe Bellino this week introduced plans to expedite the process for Hillsdale County voters to repeal an outdated ban on Sunday liquor sales at bars and restaurants.

Hillsdale County’s “blue law,” which bans the sale of spirits and mixed spirit drinks for on-premises consumption from 7 a.m. each Sunday to 2 a.m. Monday, is the only remaining countywide ban on Sunday alcohol sales in the state. Wortz’s and Bellino’s bills would allow the county to put a repeal measure on the ballot more easily with clearer proposal language.

“Bars and restaurants in Hillsdale County have lost business to Indiana and neighboring communities because of county restrictions,” said Wortz, R-Quincy. “People want to vote so they can weigh in on changing the county rules and allowing drink sales on Sundays. However, a convoluted state law restricts local decision-making. By cleaning up the repeal process, our plan will increase local control and allow voters to give local businesses and customers more freedom.”

Hillsdale County already allows the sale of alcoholic beverages for buyers to take home on Sundays. County officials and residents have previously attempted to repeal the ban on Sunday sales for on-premises consumption, but the complicated repeal process under state law has left past efforts unsuccessful.

“The people of Hillsdale County should get to decide whether to get rid of the old ban on Sunday spirit sales,” said Bellino, R-Monroe. “Unfortunately, the state of Michigan makes it difficult even to allow county voters to make their voices heard. Our common-sense plan will remove unnecessary legal barriers — so residents can choose to remove the weekly ‘closed for business’ sign on the county borders.”

Wortz’s House Bill 4398 and Bellino’s Senate Bill 264 are identical bills that will allow county residents to place a measure on the ballot to repeal the liquor sales ban with fewer signatures — reducing the threshold from 8% of the total number of voters who voted in the most recent secretary of state election to 5%. The bills will also allow the county Board of Commissioners to vote to place a repeal proposal on the ballot directly.

Additionally, the legislation will allow clearer ballot proposal language. Current law requires the ballot question to ask voters if the county should prohibit liquor sales, so a “yes” vote would keep the current ban in place. Wortz’s and Bellino’s bills will allow the ballot question to ask if the county should permit liquor sales, so a “yes” vote would repeal the ban.

SB 264 was referred to the Senate Committee on Regulatory Affairs. HB 4398 will be formally read into the record and referred to committee next week.