Phoenix lawmaker wants to extend alcohol sales to 3 a.m. for World Series
A Phoenix lawmaker wants to give Arizona Diamondbacks fans an extra hour of alcohol-fueled revelry to celebrate reaching the World Series.
The proposal by Republican Matt Gress to extend the hours during which alcohol could be sold and served to 3 a.m. wouldn't be limited to those rooting for the home team when they are playing at Chase Field.
Gress on Tuesday sent a letter to Gov. Katie Hobbs pointing out that state law actually gives her the power to extend closing time by an extra hour "in connection with a professional or collegiate national sporting championship event held in this state.''
The statute says that Hobbs has to consult with her Office of Highway Safety and "the public safety community in this state.'' But the ultimate decision is hers.
As of late Tuesday, Hobbs had no response.
Clock is ticking on extension
But the clock is ticking: The first home game for the Diamondbacks in the series — the kind of event that would trigger the law — is Monday, Oct. 30.
Gress said there's nothing outrageous in getting a one-hour extension.
The provision was tucked into a much larger series of changes to liquor laws in 2022, something he said was included in anticipation of the Super Bowl in Glendale. No one testified against the bill, and it was approved with near-unanimous support.
But Gress said that, for whatever reason, no one asked Hobbs to issue a declaration.
Gress said he sees the extra hour as "a good middle ground'' between the current 2 a.m. "last call'' and those who would want to keep the party going even later into the wee hours of the morning.
But that law was crafted in anticipation of a single championship game, and just one night of extra-hour drinking. A declaration by the governor in this case would mean at least two nights -- Games 3 and 4 played here -- and Game 5 if the series goes that far.
Arizona alcohol sales extended in 2004
While a 3 a.m. close would be uncharted area for the state, the idea of making alcohol more available at more times is not unusual.
Until August 2004, the sale of beer, wine and spirits halted as 1 a.m. That changed when then-Gov. Janet Napolitano signed legislation adding an extra hour into the schedule.
More recently, lawmakers agreed to scrap a state law that banned alcohol sales on Election Day.
Gress said the law appears clear that if the governor grants the extension, it would not apply only to bars or restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages. He said it also would add an additional hour on the applicable nights for someone to stop by a local liquor, grocery or convenience store for alcohol.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to correct that the Super Bowl in Glendale was in 2023, and Katie Hobbs was governor then.
