Birmingham City Councilor Hunter Williams plans to introduce an ordinance next week to allow Sunday alcohol sales to begin at 10 a.m.

The Alabama State Legislature passed a bill last week that gives the Birmingham City Council the authority to pass an ordinance to allow restaurants to start Sunday alcohol sales at 10 a.m. rather than noon.

A previous law allowed Birmingham to hold a referendum to allow earlier Sunday alcohol sales, but the measure failed to make it to a ballot.

"I have drafted the legislation that will go before (the council's) public safety committee next week," Williams said in an email. "This bill will eliminate outdated 'blue laws' that impose unnecessary restrictions on Birmingham businesses that both business owners and taxpayers do not want. I expect this bill to be an economic stimulus for the city of Birmingham as well as our restaurants."

Williams said Senate Bill 384, which was signed by Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday, was a joint effort led by himself, Mayor Randall Woodfin, Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, and other colleagues in the Jefferson County delegation.

State Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, sponsored the same bill in the House.

The Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association and Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitor's Bureau supported early alcohol sales.

"Restaurants, hotels, and tourism contribute greatly to the economy in Birmingham and Jefferson County," John Oros, president and CEO of the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau, said in a statement to AL.com. "The tourism industry employs over 27,000 of our residents. Our nationally known food scene is a great draw for many of the 4.5 million visitors who travel and stay with us each year. We support any legislation that will benefit our many acclaimed restaurants, their employees, and creates special experiences for our visitors."