NATCHEZ — A local senator has pre-filed a bill that would include Natchez in legislation that allows bar patrons to carry alcoholic beverage outside the premises.

Known as the “go cup” bill, signed into law by Gov. Phil Bryant in May, the legislation allows municipalities to establish one or more special leisure and recreation districts where open containers sold by certain businesses would be permitted off premises.

The bill passed the Legislature last year with several cities, including Jackson, Hattiesburg, Tupelo and others, included, but Natchez was not. The law was backed by the Gulf Coast’s delegation.

Sen. Bob Dearing, D-Natchez, has pre-filed a bill to amend the law to include Natchez. Other cities around the state have also expressed interest in being permitted to establish the special leisure and recreation districts, or LRDs.

The special district that could be established in Natchez will likely be the city’s downtown.

Dearing said last year when the Legislature took up the bill, he had not spoken to anyone in Natchez about the city being named in the bill.

“I didn’t want to do anything without talking to anyone in Natchez,” he said.

The city has for years been designated a resort area by the Mississippi Department of Revenue, which means bars can operate 24 hours a day and sell alcoholic beverages. The resort area status does not pertain to the go cup law.

Mayor Darryl Grennell, who took office in July, said it is his understanding that the City of Natchez received an invitation to participate in the legislation, but officials did not act on it.

Grennell said if the amendment passes, it would benefit Natchez, especially in terms of tourism growth.

“We have tourists here all the time, and we are constantly having events,” he said. “If we are going to continue to grow Natchez from a tourism standpoint, that’s just part of people enjoying themselves.”

Dearing said he anticipates the Legislature taking up the amendment in mid-January or early February after the new session begins.