SB126 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

J.T. WaggonerSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Alcoholic beverages, delivery service license, established, requirements for issuance, limits on delivery of beer, wine, and spirits, Secs. 28-1-4, 28-3-1, 28-3A-13, 28-3A-14 am'd.

Summary

SB126 creates a delivery service license that lets licensed retailers deliver beer, wine, and spirits directly to 21+ individuals in Alabama, with defined licensing requirements, delivery limits, and safety and locality rules.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to issue a delivery service license to eligible entities, allowing delivery by the licensee or its drivers to adults 21 and over. It sets application fees ($100 filing, $250 license; $250 renewal), background checks, age attestations, insurance requirements based on number of drivers, and a required training program. It imposes delivery rules (same-day delivery, sealed containers, meals with deliveries from restaurants, specific per-customer limits for beer, wine, and spirits), geographic limits (no deliveries to dry counties/municipalities and within 75 miles of the retailer, with certain restrictions), and strict identification, signature, and reporting requirements, plus enforcement provisions and penalties.

Who It Affects

• Delivery service licensees and retailers (including restaurants with off-premises privileges and manufacturers/brewpubs with off-premises rights): must obtain and renew a license, meet insurance and training requirements, conduct age and background checks, follow product-by-product delivery limits, verify recipient age, and maintain records and audits.
• Alabama residents 21 and older and localities: may receive deliveries of beer, wine, and spirits under the new rules, but only if they are not in a dry county/municipality, present valid ID, sign for delivery, and stay within per-customer limits and geographic restrictions.

Key Provisions

• Delivery Service License creation and licensing process: license is issued by the ABC Board; nonrefundable $100 filing fee, $250 license fee, $250 renewal; requires a business contract sample, age attestation (21+), and a 3-year criminal history check; publicly traded companies are exempt from certain restrictions; coverage includes training program requirements.
• Delivery limits by product per 24-hour period: beer (non-draft up to the equivalent of 120 12-ounce bottles), draft beer up to 288 ounces with local authorization, wine up to 9,000 milliliters or about 12 750-ml bottles, spirits up to 9,000 milliliters; restaurant licensees delivering spirits have a separate limit of 375 milliliters per customer per day.
• Delivery requirements: orders must be placed to recipient 21+, delivered the same day from licensed premises, in sealed unopened containers, with meals accompanying deliveries when the licensee is a restaurant, and within 75 miles of the licensed premise; no deliveries to college residence halls or to other ABC licensees.
• Age, verification, and safety measures: delivery personnel must be at least 21, hold a valid driver’s license, pass a recent background check including driving record, not have certain criminal convictions, not be compensated on delivery success, and be trained and certified; recipient must show valid ID and sign for delivery; packaging must display a clear alcohol indication and age-restriction message.
• Enforcement and liability: the delivery licensee is considered the agent of the retailer; violations can be charged to the retailer; the ABC Board may suspend or revoke licenses and impose fines; board rules may be used to implement the act; audits by the Board or Department of Revenue are allowed.
• Geographic and operational limits: deliveries may occur within counties and municipalities, but no deliveries to residents in dry areas; delivery personnel must carry evidence showing the recipient is not in a dry county/municipality; no deliveries to institutional housing like college dorms; no deliveries to the board’s licensees.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Alcoholic Beverages