Legislature approves liquor sales bill, waits on governor

Idaho voters soon could have a new reason to cheer.

The Legislature agreed Monday to end the state’s ban on Election Day liquor sales, but House Bill 348a still needs Gov. Butch Otter’s signature if it is to become law.

The state long has allowed beer and wine sales while polls are open. But by refusing to sell liquor on Election Day, the state loses at least $122,000 in net liquor profits, the state Liquor Dispensary estimates. All of North Idaho’s senators voted in favor of the bill, but it narrowly failed when first brought up for a vote, in part because two senators who favored the bill – Sens. Gary Schroeder, R-Moscow, and Clint Stennett, D-Ketchum – were absent. Schroeder was tied up in a House committee hearing, while Stennett was getting his daily treatment for brain cancer.

It narrowly passed after both arrived and the measure was brought up for a second vote.

Opposition included lawmakers who oppose any expansion of the availability of alcohol.

“This isn’t a bill about alcohol,” said Sen. Brent Hill, R-Rexburg, who opposed the bill. “It’s a bill about reverence for the most basic freedom that we enjoy in a free society – that right to cast our vote. This archaic little law we have on the books is one reminder that Election Day is something special. It’s a day to be sober and solemn.”

The bill had passed the House earlier on a 44-25 vote, with all but two of North Idaho’s representatives voting in favor; the dissenters were Reps. Phil Hart, R-Athol, and Dick Harwood, R-St. Maries.