SB264 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

J.T. WaggonerSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Alcoholic beverages delivery service permit, authorizes delivery of alcoholic beverages from certain licensed retailers to adult residents in state, Sec. 28-3A-3.1 added; Sec. 28-1-4 am'd.

Summary

SB264 creates a new delivery service license to allow licensed retailers to deliver sealed beer and wine to Alabama adults 21 and older for personal use, with strict licensing, verification, and reporting requirements.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to issue delivery service licenses to entities (and requires them to meet insurance and training requirements). Delivery personnel, including employees or independent contractors, must be at least 21 and properly trained to verify age and ensure safe delivery. Deliveries must be of sealed beer or wine, require age verification at delivery, and include visible notices and signatures; there are per-24-hour volume limits and geographic restrictions. The bill also imposes licensing and renewal fees, reporting and audit requirements, and enforcement powers, and excludes technology-only software providers from needing a license. It becomes effective after a short delay following passage.

Who It Affects

• Delivery service licensees and their employees or independent contractors, who would be allowed to deliver beer and wine under the new program and must meet licensing, training, insurance, and reporting requirements.
• Adult Alabama residents aged 21 and older who receive beer or wine deliveries for personal use (and retailers supplying those deliveries), subject to age checks, packaging and delivery rules, per-day limits, and geographic restrictions.

Key Provisions

• Establishes a delivery service license, issued by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, to deliver sealed beer or wine from licensed retailers to individuals 21+ for personal use; sets licensing process and fees.
• Delivery personnel may be the licensee's employees or independent contractors; must be at least 21 and complete a board-approved training program on identifying underage or intoxicated individuals and other safety topics.
• Delivery rules: only sealed containers; must confirm recipient is at least 21 at the time of order; packaging must bear a stamp/notice and require the recipient's signature.
• Age verification: recipient must show valid photo ID at delivery; licensees must use ID scanning software or an equivalent method and retain the recipient's name, date of birth, and signature.
• Documentation: licensees must carry a printed or electronic copy of the delivery license for inspection; must allow audits by the board or Department of Revenue; must report the total beer and wine delivered in the previous year.
• Delivery limits: cannot deliver more than the equivalent of 48 12-ounce beers and six 750-mL bottles of wine in a 24-hour period.
• Geographic restrictions: can deliver in dry counties but may not deliver to residents of dry municipalities; cannot deliver to college/university residence halls.
• Fees and insurance: applicants pay a $100 filing fee and a $1,000 license fee; renewal costs $1,000; must provide general liability insurance of at least $5 million per occurrence.
• Enforcement and rules: violations are a misdemeanor with penalties; the board can suspend or revoke licenses and may impose fines in lieu of suspension; the board can adopt implementing rules.
• Technology providers: firms that only offer software or digital networks (not employing delivery agents) may not need a delivery service license.
• Effective date: the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after it passes and is approved.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Alcoholic Beverages