Charleston, WV (AP) -- A divided house of delegates has approved allowing stores to sell liquor on Sundays.
West Virginia has limited retail alcohol sales on that day to wine and beer, and only after 1 pm but the house voted 51-49 Friday to include liquor as well.
The narrow margin added the provision to a senate-passed bill meant to help stand-alone liquor stores.
It would let these mostly small, in-state businesses pay a special fee for their licenses instead of the current bidding process.
The house then voted 62-38 to send the amended bill back to the senate for its approval.
Gov. Joe Manchin proposed the special licensing fee.
Critics say it interferes with market competition.
His bill was earlier amended to lift the state ban on election day retail liquor sales.
(Copyright 2009 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
