PIERRE — The state House of Representatives rejected legislation Monday that would have both standardized and loosened state laws regulating alcohol sales throughout South Dakota.

House members voted 35-34 against House Bill 1002, largely because it would have repealed South Dakota’s ban against sales of distilled spirits and wine on Christmas and Memorial Day.

The measure needed at least two more “aye” votes to reach the minimum of 36 needed for passage.

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Rep. Chuck Turbiville, R-Deadwood, immediately gave his notice to reconsider the vote.

He said sales would become legal 365 days a year from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. under the legislation, with local governments granted the power to pass ordinances on limiting sales.

“There would be total local control,” Turbiville said.

Lawmakers rose one after another to speak against the legislation.

“We’re sending a signal to those communities what we think about those two holidays,” Rep. Roger Hunt, R-Brandon, said. “Even though there may be the local control issue, we’re still sending the wrong message.”

Businesses selling alcohol would need to have an employee age 21 or older on the premises at any time a sale was made. Under-aged employees could still make the actual sale, however, and that raised eyebrows too.

Turbiville said some of the laws haven’t been updated since Prohibition ended nationally nearly 80 years ago.

Rep. Oran Sorenson, D-Garretson, spoke against the change on behalf of war veterans who don’t want alcohol sales on Memorial Day and on behalf of those families who oppose sales on Sunday and Christmas Day.

Others who criticized the legislation inlcuded Rep. Kevin Killer, D-Pine Ridge; Rep. Susy Blake, D-Sioux Falls; Rep. Manny Steele, R-Sioux Falls; and Rep. Carol Pitts, R-Brookings.

Rep. Tim Rounds, R-Pierre, said each municipality would decide whether to allow sales on Sundays and on Memorial Day and Christmas.

“Maybe it isn’t perfect but it’s sure better than what we have today,” Rounds said.