Arkansas governor signs bill expanding grocery wine sales

      (AP) – After three amendments and contentious debate
Arkansas' Governor Asa Hutchinson has signed into law Senate Bill 284, a measure expanding the types of wine that grocery stores in the state can sell.
      The House approved the bill to be transferred to the Senate March first on a 53 to 34 vote. All local House Representatives voted against it, with District 83's  David Branscum not voting.
      Local Senators were divided, Linda Collins-Smith voted in favor while Senators Scott Flippo and Missy Irvin were opposed.     
      A spokesman for Governor Hutchinson said Wednesday the governor signed the bill changing the state law which currently only allows grocery stores to sell wines from small wineries. More expansive selections of wine are currently only available at liquor stores. The proposal had the support of Wal-Mart. Opponents of the measure included many liquor store owners, who argued that the legislation could put them out of business.
     The legislation also allows liquor stores to sell "consumables and edible products" that complement beverages.
     The expanded wine sales under the new law will take effect in October.