Maine lawmakers are advancing a Republican proposal to lift one of the remaining vestiges of the state's 'blue laws' by allowing retailers to open on Sundays and holidays.

The legislation, which cleared the Legislature's Committee on Housing and Economic Development on Wednesday, would repeal a state law prohibiting some retailers from opening on Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and other major holidays.

The restrictions are a product of the state’s Puritan-era 'blue laws,' like banning the sale of alcohol on Sundays, most of which have been repealed.

The bill's sponsor, state Rep. Josh Morris, R-Turner, said the measure aims to "even the playing field" by allowing businesses that are currently not allowed to operate on Sundays and during the holidays to keep their doors open. He said the colonial-era laws are outdated.

"Society has also changed much since these laws were put in place," Morris said in recent testimony on the bill. "Not everyone celebrates holidays the same way. Some families may celebrate on a different day because that is when everyone can get together. Others may not celebrate the holidays at all."

He points out that large retailers, like L.L. Bean, have been granted exemptions to state law, allowing them to stay open all year.

"One of the worst things that government does is pick winners and losers," Morris said. "I believe that all businesses should be allowed to operate 365 days a year without government intervention."

The proposal has a raft of exemptions, including for stores with fewer than five employees and stores with fewer than 5,000 square feet of interior selling space, as well as restaurants, convenience stores and boat shops.

Many retailers and business groups support the proposal to lift the Sunday and holiday restrictions. They argue that the law is unfair and discriminates against retailers without exemptions.

Curtis Picard, president and CEO of the Retail Association of Maine, said Maine is one of only three states, including Massachusetts and Rhode Island, that still have blue laws on the books.

He said the plan would "simply do what 47 other states do — which is let businesses decide for themselves when they can be open for business."

The bill must still come up for a vote in the full Legislature before it heads to Gov. Janet Mills for consideration.