Photo by LaTur

As of recent there’s been plenty of debate over whether D.C. bars should be able to stay open later or if the alcohol excise tax should be raised, but broader changes in the city’s liquor laws are coming down the pike.

Next Tuesday Councilmember Jim Graham’s (D-Ward 1) Committee on Human Services is holding a hearing on a report put together by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Working Group that includes a number of changes—both big and small—to the city’s liquor laws.

Included among the group’s recommendations is everything from new fines for violations by bars and retailers to proposals that beer and wine retailers be allowed to sell wine with alcohol content of up to 15 percent. Under current law, beer and wine retailers can’t carry anything with more than 14 percent of alcohol per volume, meaning that certain types of dessert and barley wines and limited to liquor stores.

The group also advises that a new license be created for wine pubs, locations where wine can be produced, tasted and sold. (A brew pub license currently exists.) Additionally, brew pubs and supermarkets should be able to fill and sell 64-ounce growlers. (A D.C. legislator recently introduced a law to that effect, but it hasn’t yet moved forward.)

Most significantly, the working group recommends doing away with D.C.’s longstanding prohibitions on the sale of liquor on Sunday, calling it “a proposal which will generate needed revenue.” Graham originally floated the idea as an alternative to Mayor Vince Gray’s proposal to extend bar hours, but later said he would not support it.

The working group also adopted language defining “over-concentration” of bars or retailers as a situation that “adversely affect a specific locality, section, or portion of the District of Columbia.” This could have an impact in future discussions on the granting of licenses or imposition of moratoriums, as one that has been floated for U Street.

The working group, which was created in December 2011 and met twice monthly between then and April, was made up of ANC Commissioners, representatives from civic associations, business owners, police, and the director of the city’s Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration.

The hearing is scheduled for May 8 at 1 p.m. in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building.