Bill to allow deliveries of alcohol to homes is a win-win

Upstate lawmakers are determined to build on our economic momentum. We never pass up a meaningful opportunity to lift up businesses that already call South Carolina home or want to move here.

That’s why now is the time to take a closer look at a bill to keep South Carolina on the move.

Earlier this month, the South Carolina House passed legislation that would allow third-party delivery companies to deliver alcohol from a store to a customer’s front door. Additionally, the bill would allow retailers to offer curbside pickup of alcohol with other retail items. If the bill becomes law, South Carolina will join 43 other states, including neighbors North Carolina

and Georgia, offering the safe and modern conveniences of alcohol delivery and curbside pickup.

This is a win-win for constituents. I’ve heard from them over the past few weeks. They have been clear: Take up legislation for safe delivery and curbside pickup of alcohol, and send the bill to Gov. Henry McMaster’s desk.

Why? They know the bill is just plain common sense. Not only is it convenient for consumers, good for business owners and great for the economy, but also it adds safeguards that cut down on underage access to alcohol by implementing ID verification.

I proudly introduced this bill in the state Senate – along with 13 co-sponsors – because businesses and customers I talk to support safe and responsible alcohol delivery and curbside pickup. When alcohol reform was temporarily allowed under McMaster’s pandemic-era executive order, my colleagues and I supported it as a lifeline for local businesses. It worked when we tried it during the pandemic without incident — a signal that alcohol delivery could be done responsibly, if we write the law correctly.

Under our bill, we do that. Customers have safe and responsible access to products they want, and they support small businesses. Local retailers can grow consumer bases and position themselves to better compete in the online economy. And delivery drivers benefit, unlocking new opportunities, at their own pace, on their own schedules.

We understand such changes do not come without valid concerns. For this reason, the bill provides guardrails not currently part of South Carolina law. For example, during House deliberations, we learned that anyone can order alcohol online now, and have it delivered to a home or office, without the critical accountability mechanism of proving valid, agechecked ID. But our bill ensures underage customers would not be allowed to abuse the system and implements parameters on which state law is currently silent.

So what’s next? The Senate needs to listen to South Carolina businesses, delivery drivers, and consumers about how this bill benefits them and grows the economy and act now to pass this legislation.

While some will still have concerns about whether safe alcohol delivery is possible, and others will disagree out of fear of change or personal conviction, it is time to acknowledge the time has come for responsible alcohol delivery in our state. It makes sense for our growing economy. And our neighbors have proven we can do it safely.

When the General Assembly opens new doors for business owners, consumers and families alike to build on our economic momentum, and then gets out of the way, we are doing the jobs we were sent to Columbia to do. That’s what this common-sense bill does.

Let’s act quickly. The House has done its jobs. Let’s keep this bill moving through the Senate, and then send it to the governor for his signature.

Scott Talley represents District 12 in the South Carolina Senate.