The Tennessee State Capitol in downtown Nashville.NASHVILLE – A bill allowing grocery stores to sell wine failed by one vote in a House committee Tuesday, but a door could open to revive the legislation.
The Local Government Committee rejected the bill on an 8-7 vote, surprising the sponsor, Rep. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, who thought he had the votes to move the years-long effort ahead.
Instead, Chairman Matthew Hills, R-Jonesborough, cast a surprise vote against the bill, which would allow local voters to decide through referendums whether grocery stores can sell wine.
Watching Hill’s vote was House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, a bill supporter, who muscled the legislation through subcommittee last week with Hill’s help.
Also voting against the bill was Rep. Richard Floyd, R-Chattanooga, who earlier joined an effort to prevent Lundberg’s initial request to delay the bill, a courtesy usually but not always granted.