Kansas counties would be allowed to expand liquor licenses under a bill being discussed by a state Senate panel.
The Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee is holding a hearing today to discuss the issue.
The bill would allow supermarkets and other retailers to sell liquor, wine and full-strength beer in counties that approve the measure through a local election.
Supporters say it would be more convenient for consumers, but opponents say it would hurt the state's roughly 750 individually owned liquor stores.
Both sides are major donors to political campaigns and have actively lobbied the Legislature on the issue.
A House panel has passed a bill that would allow supermarkets to sell alcohol statewide in 2018, but it has not been debated on the House floor.
