Allowing state-wide off premises of alcoholic liquors; exceptions; procedures

(a) Effective July 1, 2020, the sale of alcoholic liquors for off-premises consumption is authorized in all counties and municipalities of the state. (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, a county or municipality which prior to January 1, 2020, prohibited the sale of alcoholic liquors for off-premises consumption may, pursuant to this subsection, hold a local option election to maintain the prohibition against the sale of alcoholic liquors for off-premises consumption without the petition required by the provisions of §60-5-2 of this code, if it enters an order to hold a local option election on the issue on or before July 1, 2020, in which event the election shall be held concurrent with the 2020 general election. The county commission or municipality may require the state to reimburse it for the actual cost of conducting the local option election authorized by this subsection: Provided, That, as an alternative to the local option election authorized by this subsection, the county commission or governing body of a municipality which prior to January 1, 2020, had prohibited the sale of alcoholic liquors for off-premises consumption may vote to maintain the prohibition and provide certification of the result of the vote to the commissioner on or before July 1, 2020. (c) A county or municipality which prohibits the sale of alcoholic liquors for off-premises consumption pursuant to subsection (b) of this section may later reconsider its action using the procedures set forth in §60-5-1 et seq. of this code.