Gov. Kathy Hochul on Saturday signed a package of legislation aimed at improving alcoholic beverage laws for consumers and small business owners.

The package allows for the retail sale of beer on Sundays and permits liquor and wine stores in New York to open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays.

It also extends the duration of a brewer’s valid license from one year to three years, allows businesses to prepare and keep drinks containing alcohol in pressurized dispensing machines and lets retail stores sell complementary gifts and promotional items related to wine and spirit sales. 

The state Assembly passed the measure to expand Sunday liquor sales in June after it was approved by the state Senate. It was delivered to Hochul last week. 

"Across New York, breweries, distilleries and other alcoholic beverage businesses are creating jobs and expanding economic opportunity,” Hochul said in a statement. “I'm proud to sign this legislation that will modernize the laws governing the sales of alcoholic beverages in New York.” 

"We applaud the continued efforts by our Governor and the Legislature to help small businesses succeed and protect public safety by addressing antiquated liquor laws," State Liquor Authority Chair Lily M. Fan said in a statement. "With this legislative package, our licensed businesses will grow economically and face less governmental burden and legislative restraint.”  

The measure addresses New York's historic "blue laws." Elected officials in recent years have called for changes to the state's alcohol and beverage control laws.

Under the previous state law, bars and restaurants could begin serving alcohol at 10 a.m. on Sundays, but liquor stores could not open until noon.

The state recently authorized businesses in New York to sell alcoholic beverages between the hours of 8 and 10 a.m. on a Sunday morning to accommodate Buffalo Bills fans, whose team was playing in London.