Mississippi may soon end its Prohibition-era law from 1907 to allow all cities to sell alcohol unless residents petition to vote to turn the county dry under a bill the Mississippi House passed on Feb. 11.
House Bill 91 would continue the state’s law of not allowing counties to have liquor stores or sell alcohol without resort status, but the bill would amend the law to say that all cities and towns can have package stores and legally sell alcohol. Restaurants could apply for a resort status to be able to sell alcohol in the county, House Rep. Brent Powell, R-Brandon, said when introducing the bill on the House floor on Feb. 11.
If the legislation becomes law, all jurisdictions in the state would be wet starting on Jan. 1, 2026.
“You had a bill, I think, two sessions ago that made a few areas moist. How does this impact that?” Rep. Shanda Yates, I-Jackson, asked Powell on the House floor on Feb. 11.
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“It increases the wetness of it,” Powell replied, prompting the people in the House chamber to erupt in laughter.
Mississippi has 13 dry counties. Under current law, citizens of a dry county can sign a petition and vote to make the county wet. Rep. Noah Sanford, R-Collins, said he did not understand why the state would make all counties wet when the residents of the 13 dry counties have not tried to officially petition for alcohol sales.
“There’s no reason the state should dictate to them whether or not they can sell alcohol in my opinion,” Powell told Sanford. “Give it to them to let them decide. And I understand your position, I really do. I promise you. We’re just looking at it two different ways.”
The House passed H.B. 91 by a 72-34 vote on Feb. 11 and sent it to the Senate for consideration.
Sunday Alcohol Sales
Wet counties could soon start selling liquor at package stores on Sunday afternoons under House Bill 92.
Mississippi currently bans
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