Senate panel gets quick start on wine proposal

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Officials with the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission say they could cope with policing wine sales in supermarkets if licensing fees remain at the current levels.

The Senate State and Local Government Committee in its first meeting of the year Tuesday heard from ABC officials about the potential impact of changing the law.

ABC Executive Director Danielle Elks says her agency has set up models for how it would cope with 1,000 to 6,000 new locations where wine could be sold. She says the ABC would have to add about one agent for every additional 100 stores.

Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris says he hasn't made up his mind on the proposal to relax the law on wine sales. But he added that he's worried about whether current liquor store owners would see a major reduction in their business.