The sale of alcoholic beverages in Washington beginning at 10 a.m. Sundays could take effect Aug. 20 if two-thirds — a super majority — of the Washington City Council members, during their meeting Monday, amend the city code to allow such sales.

If that super-majority vote does not occur Monday and the proposed amendment is not defeated, it would take a simple majority vote by the council at its next meeting to allow such sales, according to a memorandum from City Manager Bobby Roberson to the mayor and council members

Roberson will make a presentation on the new law that allows such sales of malt beverages, fortified wine, unfortified wine and mixed drinks to the council Monday.

The Washington Tourism Development Authority’s board of directors voted unanimously to support the new law, known as the “brunch bill.” “The tourism industry as a whole in North Carolina has supported this legislation. Locally, the WTDA board felt it would be beneficial. The sale of alcohol earlier on a Sunday will benefit restaurants that are open earlier than noon,” wrote Lynn Wingate, the city’s tourism-development director, in a letter to Mayor Mac Hodges.

The directors of the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce unanimously support the new law. “The board felt it made economic sense for our local businesses that could benefit from sales starting at 10:00 a.m. As a pro business organization, it is our mission to support legislation that can increase sales or opportunities for local establishments,” wrote Catherine Glover, the chamber’s executive director, in a letter to the mayor and council members.

Since the new law took effect earlier this summer, several municipalities such as Chocowinity, New Bern, Surf City and Charlotte now allow such sales. The law also applies to counties. Last month, Hyde County began allowing earlier sales of alcoholic beverages on Sundays.

The law does not put these sales into practice directly, but rather gives individual municipalities the power to vote and adopt a measure if they choose.

The council meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building, 102 E. Second St. To view the council’s agenda for a specific meeting, visit the city’s web­site at www.washingtonnc.gov, click “City Agendas.” Locate the appropriate agenda (by date) under the “Washington City Council” heading, then click on that specific agenda listing.