Nebraska Set to Extend Bars’ Closing Time

By: - April 12, 2010 12:00 am

Under a bill sent to the governor’s desk on Friday (April 9), Nebraska soon could join most other states and allow residents to order drinks until 2 a.m., an hour later than is now the case.

The bill would allow local governments to decide whether they want to embrace the later closing time, according to the Lincoln Journal-Star , which noted that the local-control provision was important for the plan to win support in Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature.

Most states allow bars to stay open until 2 a.m., with only a small number — including Delaware, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Utah — retaining a 1 a.m. last call, the Journal-Star reported. Nevada, on the other hand, has no closing time while Alaska bars shut their doors at 5 a.m.

Nebraska’s legislation comes as many states have moved to loosen blue laws and other alcohol-related measures, in many cases to boost revenue. Since 2002, for example, at least 13 states have allowed residents to buy alcohol on Sunday, erasing a common restriction in place since Prohibition.

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