New York’s prohibition on early Sunday morning alcohol sales may come to an end.

Legislation (A.6941) has been introduced in the state Assembly by Assemblyman Harry Bronson, D-Rochester, to allow retail beer sales between 3 and 8 a.m. Sundays. Bronson’s bill has yet to attract any co-sponsors or a companion bill in the state Senate, making its passage this year unlikely.

But several bills proposed over the course of the past several legislative sessions that had previously gotten no legislative traction have been passed this year, a sign Bronson’s bill may need time to ferment before becoming law.

“The current prohibition on the retail sale of beer on Sunday during certain hours is antiquated and ignores the needs of modern-day consumers,” Bronson said. “Removing this prohibition would benefit consumers, retail businesses, and the state’s economy alike.

We live in an increasingly ’24/7′ society, and consumers want to shop at whatever times are most convenient. Removing this prohibition would increase consumer choice and allow greater options for those that work non-standard hours. Further, this bill would result in increased sales, providing a boost to the economy and increased tax collections. Finally, retail businesses would benefit from this legislation not only through increased sales but from a logistical standpoint too by not having to restrict sales on one product at an obscure time.”

Until the mid-2000s, sales of beer before noon on Sundays for off-premises consumption were prohibited statewide, a remnant of a royal decree during the Colonial era, and between 3-6 a.m. any other day. Changes to the law made during Gov. George Pataki’s term loosening those restrictions, with the lone statewide restriction on beer sales being the 3 to 8 a.m. Sunday restriction.