NY's new liquor laws allow alcohol sales earlier on Sundays. What else is changing?

New Yorkers can now purchase alcohol earlier on Sundays as part of Gov. Kathy Hochul's ongoing push to modernize New York's alcoholic beverage laws.

Liquor and wine stores can now open at 10 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. on Sundays, Hochul announced Saturday.

"We commend Governor Hochul for signing these bills into law that modernize and update the state's Alcohol Beverage Control law," Scott Wexler, Executive Director of the Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association said. "These measures will fuel economic development and job growth, especially for the small businesses that comprise the overwhelming majority of businesses who will benefit from these changes."

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What other changes are coming to NY's beverage industry?

In addition to the earlier Sunday sale times, Hochul also signed a slate of other bills to "improve New York's laws related to alcoholic beverages in an effort to expand options for consumers and support New York's small businesses in the alcoholic beverage sector."

The legislation will do the following:

• Allow beer, mead, braggot and cider to be sold any day of the week, including Sundays

• Make brewer's licenses' valid for three years, extended from one year

• Allow businesses to prepare and keep drinks containing alcohol in pressurized dispensing machines

• Allow retail stores to sell complementary gift and promotional items related to wine and spirit sales

• Certain property, on a case-by-case basis, is exempt from laws that restrict manufacturers and retailers from sharing licenses

The changes come on the heels of Hochul's addition of "to-go" alcoholic beverage sales to her 2023 budget and granting catering facilities off-premises licenses to serve liquor at event locations late last year.

And recently, the state authorized a one-day pass for bars and restaurants to start serving alcohol at 8 a.m. ahead of the Buffalo Bills' Sunday morning kickoff in London on Oct. 8.

"Ultimately this is supporting a fair and equitable economic opportunity, and liquor stores are now on an equal playing field with bars and restaurants," says Assemblymember Harry Bronson, who sponsored the bill and represents the 138th District, which includes parts of Rochester. "And I couldn't be happier that this change to the law comes during Bills season!"

Emily Barnes is the New York State Team consumer advocate reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Barnes at ebarnes@gannett.com or on Twitter @byemilybarnes.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NY liquor sales: New laws mean stores can sell early on Sundays