During the past few weeks, I’ve moderated two unusually lively online chats.

The first chat two weeks ago centered on Indiana’s adoption of daylight saving time — enacted by the General Assembly after decades of hesitation and squabbling.

The other last week dealt with a proposal for tougher limits on smoking in public places. The measure since has been tabled by the Indianapolis City-County Council and appears unlikely to come up for another vote without another round of controversy and debate.

Beyond timing, the two issues have something in common: Hoosiers have stood apart from most of the nation in their reluctance to enact these measures, and — as in the case of the time change — tend to move slowly if and when they do so.

This week, I’d like to discuss another issue where Indiana seems to be an exception.

Most states allow Sunday sales of alcohol in supermarkets and liquor stores, and there seems to be widespread sentiment — 35,000 signatures on one petition being circulated — that Indiana should put an end to its laws against it.

But a legislative study committee recently recommended keeping the status quo, and though only a recommendation, the committee’s vote is being seen as a strong signal that this is one issue where Indiana might remain in the minority of states that limit Sunday alcohol sales.

Some of the strongest opposition to the proposed change comes from a somewhat surprising source — the liquor-store lobby, which sees a move to Sunday sales as a losing proposition in which its stores would have to stay open an extra day every week without any guarantee of more revenue. Bars and restaurants, already allowed to serve alcohol on Sundays, also see the proposed change as a drain on their business.

The main proponents: the supermarkets and big-box stores that would stand to gain from the change.

Much of the public debate seems to center on issues of convenience — why shouldn’t Hoosiers be allowed to buy beer and wine at the grocery store on a day that many set aside for leisure? — or public safety (for example, the threat of having more drunken drivers on the road).

I hope you can join me for an online discussion about Indiana’s ban on Sunday alcohol sales. We’ll do it beginning at 1 p.m. Friday at IndyStar.com/community chat

If you can’t join us, feel free to send me an e-mail or leave a telephone message.

I look forward to hearing from you.