ATLANTA – On Thursday, Sen. Seth Harper introduced a bill in the Georgia legislature that would allow grocery and convenience stores to sell beer and wine on Sundaysthe Atlanta Business Chronicle reports.

The bill is designed to let voters decide whether supermarkets and convenience stores in their localities would sell beer and wine on Sunday. Polls have indicated strong support from Georgia residents to lift the ban; Georgia is one of only three states that do not allow the practice.

“Our customers want the opportunity to have their voices heard, and we are working hard to ensure they get a vote in this matter,” Jim Tudor, president of the Georgia Association of Convenience Stores, told the newspaper.

"I know some of you have very strong feelings about this," Harp, who is the Senate higher education chairman, told his colleagues. However, "we as senators have our first responsibility to the citizens of our respective districts, and the opportunity to allow them to make this decision is one of the most fundamental rights that exist."

Thus far, at least 12 senators have signed on to the bill; the industry still seeks a sponsor in the House.