SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – On July 27, Gov. George Pataki (R) signed into law legislation that brings an end to one of New York's blue laws regulating Sunday beer sales.

The Albany Times Union reports that the new law, effective immediately, allows retailers to sell beer on Sunday beginning at 8:00 a.m. instead of noon. Gov. Pataki commented that he signed the law to bring more convenience to customers and that the prohibition on Sunday beer sales was antiquated.

"The prior law was seen as unnecessarily inconveniencing citizens choosing to shop on Sunday mornings, as well as those traveling and planning early morning outings," said the New York State Liquor Authority in a press release.

The newspaper writes that New York and other states are "slowly dismantling" their blue laws regulating the sale of beer on Sunday. Last year, New York allowed liquor stores to change their hours of operation to be open seven days a week.