SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The government organization committee of the California Senate is expected to vote again on a bill later this week that would require supermarkets to sell beer, wine and spirits only at checkstands manned by clerks — to ensure that buyers are sober and of legal drinking age — rather than at self-service lanes.

The 13-member committee voted 6-5 in favor of the bill last week but required a majority of at least seven votes to move the proposal through to the full Senate. Bill Dumbrowski, representing the California Retailers Association — which opposes the bill — said the one-hour discussion included comments from several legislators who raised issues with the bill, yet who voted for it when it came to a vote, leading him to expect passage when it is reconsidered.

The California Grocers Association, which also opposes the bill, said it is unnecessary legislation because there have not been any reported problems with underage purchases nor any problems with the technology that locks out alcohol purchases at self-service checkouts when such items are scanned.

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