Alcohol delivery, curbside pickup could be permanent
State legislators are moving to make permanent new rules that allow some businesses to deliver alcohol, beer and wine directly to Oklahomans.
After many Oklahoma businesses had to totally revamp their business models in light of the COVID- 1 9 pandemic, the ABLE Commission adjusted its rules to temporarily allow for delivery.
A bill introduced in Oklahoma's Legislature on Tuesday would make some of those temporary rules permanent. Businesses that hold a retail spirit licenses, which would include liquor stores, convenience stores and grocery stores, would be allowed to continue delivery and curbside pickup of sealed alcohol. Restaurants and bars that hold the proper liquor license also will be able to continue delivery and curbside pickup.
"That seemed to work, so working with ABLE, we want to allow the restaurants, the convenience stores and those who make deliveries to continue on as they have done," said Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah,t he bill' s author.
The only change would be that breweries and small farm wineries would only be allowed to do curbside, and not delivery. Some Oklahoma City-area breweries have been making deliveries, which are allowed under the temporary rules from the ABLE Commission.
Asked about theo mission, Thompson said Oklahoma's constitution doesn't allow those businesses to deliver. That's due to some of the language in State Question 792, which voters approved to modernize Oklahoma's liquor laws.
Like the ABLE Commission rules, the legislation stipulates deliveries can only be made to those who are 21 or older.
The legislation tasks the ABLE Commission to come up with rules for the enforcement of the new law.
Senate Bill 1928 passed out through House and Senate budget committees Tuesday. The legislation will have to be taken up by the full House and Senate.
If signed into law, the legislation will take effect immediately.