OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahomans could buy cold strong beer and wine at grocery and convenience stores under a sweeping overhaul of the state's alcohol laws approved by the Senate that hinges on voters approving a state question in November.
The Senate voted 33-12 on Thursday for the 285-page bill by Oklahoma City Republican Stephanie Bice.
The bill allows strong, cold beer and wine to be sold at grocery stores and convenience stores beginning in 2018.
Currently in Oklahoma, strong beer and wine can only be sold in package stores. The bill would also allow package stores to sell products other than alcohol.
"The road to modernization has been a long one, and while it is not over yet, today was a significant step toward bringing cold, strong beer to Oklahomans. Anheuser-Busch has been a long-time supporter of, and staunch advocate for, the right path to modernization. The passage of SJR 68 will bring this issue to a vote of the people, and we are confident that this November, Oklahomans will support modernization, consumer choice and economic growth," said Eric James, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing Anheuser-Busch Sales of Oklahoma.
The bill is a companion measure to a proposed state question on the November ballot to loosen Oklahoma's alcohol laws.
