Letter in Support of HB 674 - Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, David Wojnar (June 4, 2020)

Summary

Letter dated June 4, 2020, from David Wojnar, Vice President of State Government Relations, to the Honorable Gayle Manning and the Commerce and Labor Committee of the Ohio House of Representatives, submitted on behalf of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States in support of HB 674. The letter states that the bill would allow Sunday sales of distilled spirits products on a statewide basis rather than by local option, and that 21 states have passed laws permitting Sunday sales since 2002. It states that HB 674 would simplify Ohio's law and provide uniformity to retailers, and urges the committee to positively recommend the changes contemplated by HB 674.

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Full text

June 4, 2020

The Honorable Gayle Manning
Commerce and Labor Committee
Ohio House of Representatives
77 S High Street
Columbus, OH 43215


Dear Chair Manning and Members of the Committee:

These comments are submitted on behalf of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United
States, a national trade association representing producers and marketers of distilled
spirits sold in the United States, in support of HB 674, which would allow Sunday sales
of distilled spirits products on a statewide basis rather than by local option.

Across the country, states have modernized their marketplace with regard to alcohol
sales laws. Since 2002, 21 states have passed laws permitting Sunday sales including
Ohio’s neighboring states of Indiana, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and West Virginia. In
2019 alone, Virginia and West Virginia both enacted legislation to permit alcohol sales
or expand Sunday hours of sale on a statewide basis.

HB 674 would simplify Ohio’s law regarding Sunday sales and provide uniformity to
retailers by doing away with the current patchwork of allowed hours of sale. The bill
would benefit small business owners by sparing retailers from costly local elections to
allow Sunday sales.

Expanding Sunday sales also provides today’s consumers with the convenience they
want. Sunday is the second busiest shopping day of the week for the majority of
families. These families do most of their shopping on the weekend and expanding the
sale of spirits, beer and wine on Sunday gives adult consumers more choices and
added convenience. Shoppers also tend to spend as much as 21% more on Sunday
than any other day of the week.

Ohio state and local treasuries would benefit from expanded Sunday sales as well. This
change would translate into significant new state revenues from distilled spirits as well
as an increase in sales for retailers. Historic data has proven Sunday sales develops
new sales and does not merely spread current sales out over more days. States that
have implemented Sunday Sales have seen an immediate boost to state tax revenues.
For example, Pennsylvania’s sales went up 10 percent since Sunday sales went into
effect and the former chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board called Sunday
sales a “grand slam homerun” and reported that Sunday sales did not detract from sales
on other days. Oregon sales increased between 9.2 and 19.6 percent and Delaware
saw a 7 and 10 percent increase in sales after enacting Sunday sales.

For those that may be concerned that additional off-premise Sunday sales may increase
underage purchases or drunken driving, the data does not support that argument.
According to an analysis using U. S. Department of Transportation data on alcohol-
related fatalities, there is no statistical difference in states that allow Sunday liquor sales
compared to those that do not. Further, the law clearly states that if you are under 21
you cannot purchase alcohol. Certainly, the laws that pertain to beverage alcohol
purchases remain the same whether alcohol is purchased on a Tuesday, Wednesday or
Sunday. Expanded Sunday sales simply gives adult consumers more convenience that
fits the modern lifestyle and accommodates tourists and visitors to Ohio.

We urge the Committee to positively recommend the changes contemplated by HB 674
and give Ohio consumers the added convenience they deserve.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide our views.

Sincerely,




David Wojnar
Vice President of State Government Relations


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