ATLANTA - The Georgia Legislature approved a measure that would give local municipalities the authority to vote on allowing sales of alcohol on Sundays, the Associated Press reports. The bill is now with Gov. Nathan Deal, who has said he would sign it.

Previous similar measures have failed, but this year, the bill won overwhelming approval in the House. "It's about fairness," said state Rep. Roger Williams, who sponsored the bill in the House. "It's not about religion. It's not about drinking. It's about letting your people back home express their views."

Despite the easy passage in the House, some lawmakers still expressed concern on allowing Sunday sales of liquor. State Rep. Randy Nix said that the measure would "encourage and promote greater alcohol availability."

For years, grocery and convenience stores lobbied for the change, which was opposed by religious groups and former Gov. Sonny Perdue. Sunday alcohol sales could start appearing on local ballots as early as this fall.

Currently, only Connecticut, Georgia and Indiana ban sales of alcohol on Sundays in stores.