House takes aim at blue laws

COLUMBIA – The state House on Tuesday took a major step toward eliminating South Carolina's blue laws.

By a 56-44 vote, the House gave second reading to a bill that would allow stores to decide when they would open on Sundays.

Current law prevents the sale of most goods before 1:30 p.m. Exceptions include food and medicine.

The bill does not change state laws restricting Sunday alcohol sales.

Several counties have already dealt with the issue. Spartanburg County did away with its blue laws in 2003, after voters approved a referendum.

But most other counties around the state have maintained the restrictions.

Speaker David Wilkins said that it had been more than 15 years since the Legislature addressed blue laws. He said approving the bill continues the House's mission of improving the business climate in South Carolina.

"We started the year saying we were concerned about creating jobs and making the state more competitive," Wilkins said. "This bill is a continuation of that effort."

The House approved an amendment that allows employees to opt out of working before 1:30 p.m. for religious reasons.

The amendment does not apply to employees in manufacturing, or research and development.

Speaker Pro Tem Doug Smith, R-Spartanburg, said the bill probably wouldn't have passed without that provision.

"It certainly made the bill more acceptable," Smith said. "That's what is happening now in most communities anyway."

Rep. Jerry Govan, D-Orangeburg, said Sunday is the day most

families worship and he wanted to make sure that right wasn't taken away from them.

"I didn't want anyone to have to make the difficult choice between going to church or going to work," Govan said. "In the process of making change we must protect those who choose to worship."

Rep. Bob Walker, R-Landrum, is concerned the law eventually will be expanded to include alcohol sales on Sunday.

"I'm just one that believes we don't need to be doing any more than necessary on Sunday," Walker said. "I'm afraid it's going to lead to more open situations that I don't approve of such as beer and alcohol."

The bill will receive third reading today and then head to the Senate. Sen. John Hawkins, R-Spartanburg, said it would get a thorough review.

"It will receive a fair hearing," Hawkins said. "We'll receive input from those who have an interest and proceed from there."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Robert W. Dalton can be reached at 562-7274 or bob.dalton@shj.com.

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