The House Committee on Regulatory Reform on Thursday approved Rep. Jennifer Wortz’s bill to empower local voters to repeal Hillsdale County’s ban on Sunday liquor sales at bars and restaurants.

Wortz testified at a hearing of the committee earlier this month with several Hillsdale County bar owners: Brett Boyd of Underdogs, Adam Day of The Oak’s Tavern, and Kevin Conant of Here’s To You Pub & Grub. Hillsdale County’s “blue law” bans the sale of spirits and mixed spirit drinks for on-premises consumption from 7 a.m. each Sunday to 2 a.m. Monday. It’s the only remaining countywide prohibition on Sunday alcohol sales.

“Hillsdale is the only county in the state with a ‘blue law’ restricting liquor sales on Sundays,” said Wortz, R-Quincy. “The ban prohibits people from purchasing liquor at restaurants, bars, and breweries in Hillsdale County, yet they can go buy it at a grocery or convenience store.  Because of this, small business owners believe patrons are taking their business to neighboring counties — and even to Indiana and Ohio. This bill will allow local voters a chance to repeal the ban and support local restaurant businesses.”

State law requires a vote of the people to repeal the ban, with a difficult process to place a repeal question before the voters. Wortz’s bill would simplify the process and allow clearer language on the ballot.

“In a rural area like Hillsdale, it’s difficult to collect enough signatures to put a repeal proposal on the ballot,” Wortz said. “What’s more, the ballot language required by state law is confusing and complicates the process. My plan will streamline the process and clarify the ballot wording so voters can weigh in, exercise their local control, and repeal the liquor ban if they so choose.”

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.

HB 4398 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 bill will also allow the county Board of Commissioners 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 bill will allow the ballot question to ask if the county should permit liquor sales, so a “yes” vote would repeal the ban.

HB 4398 now advances to the House floor for consideration.