Some state lawmakers are moving to make it easier for stores that sell liquor to move closer-- or even next door-- to schools and churches.

Existing law requires a buffer of at least 300 feet between liquor stores and churches and schools. HB 2373 would make it so that law does not apply to stores of at least 4,500 square feet as long as liquor sales are less than half their business and they also sell fresh produce.

The move is being pushed by Mike Williams who lobbies for the Circle K Corporation. Williams said the problem is that new congregations are popping up in strip malls, making the entire area off-limits for liquor sales. He said that means new grocery stores can't attract customers who might want to buy beer with their bagels.

"A grocery store will sell liquor because it is trying to be convenient for its customers. If you have to go to another store to buy beer...chances are you're just going to go to the other store. So we're trying to work out something that will be best for everybody," he said.

That's not the contention of several neighborhood activists who said there's a link between liquor stores, crime and underage drinking. But on a 5-3 vote, the House Committee on Rural and Economic Development opted to side with Williams, sending the measure to the full House.