NASHVILLE (AP) — Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey says he wants a supermarket wine bill to clear his chamber's committees even though the companion bill has fallen short in a House panel.
The Blountville Republican said he would then put the bill on hold before a floor vote takes place to see what action the House might take.
The bill seeking to allow local referendums on whether to expand wine sales to supermarkets and convenience stores failed by one vote in the House Local Government Committee on Tuesday.
Supporters are clinging to the hope that the panel's chairman, Republican Rep. Matthew Hill of Jonesborough, might seek to reconsider the vote.
Hill cast the deciding vote against the measure because he was upset that supporters didn't want to discuss a series of amendments.