Kansas House commerce committee holds hearing on bill that would allow grocery and convenience stores to start selling strong beer in July 2017, wine in July 2020 and liquor in July 2024; current law only allows these stores to sell weak beer

Nevin Barich

TOPEKA, Kansas , February 20, 2014 (Associated Press) – Kansas legislators are facing another push to phase in sales of strong beer, wine and liquor at grocery and convenience stores.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports (http://bit.ly/1gXCNqe ) the House commerce committee had a hearing Wednesday on a bill to allow liquor store owners to sell their licenses to other retailers in the same county, starting in July 2015.

Kansas currently allows groceries and convenience stores to sell only weak beer. The bill would let them start selling strong beer in July 2017, wine in July 2020 and liquor in July 2024.

Supporters said the state's laws are antiquated and change will boost the economy. Liquor store owners fear being pushed out of business.

The committee isn't expected to vote on the bill until at least next month.

Information from: The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal, http://www.cjonline.com

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