House committee hears bill to allow third‑party beer and wine delivery from Montana grocery and drug stores

Representative Katie Zollnikov, sponsor of House Bill 211, told the House Business and Labor Committee that the bill would allow third‑party delivery services to deliver beer and table wine for off‑premise retail licensees such as grocery stores and pharmacies.

Zollnikov said the measure creates a new third‑party delivery license, gives the Department of Revenue discretion to issue that license, and sets an initial and annual fee of $1,000. "This bill is allowing 3rd party delivery licensees to off premise retail licensees," she said as she walked the committee through the bill’s provisions.

The bill limits deliveries to beer and table wine, requires drivers to be at least 21 years old, to hold a valid driver's license, to have no felony conviction or DUI within seven years, and to complete a responsible‑server‑style training program. Drivers must use age‑verification scanning software or a department‑approved alternative at delivery and may not be paid based solely on completed deliveries, language sponsors said was intended to avoid incentives to complete unlawful drops.

Other safety provisions outlined by Zollnikov include delivery only during retailer sales hours (and no later than one hour after retail sales end), a requirement that alcohol in vehicles be transported in the rear or separate cargo area and be marked on outer packaging, and prohibitions on deliveries to dormitories, to other licensed retailers, or to locations lacking a permanent street address. Third‑party licensees must keep delivery records for three years and maintain general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence with a $2,000,000 aggregate, the sponsor said. "The department may adopt rules to implement this section," she added, noting the bill’s effective date of Jan. 1, 2026.

Proponents from industry and delivery platforms told the committee the bill follows models adopted in other states and includes common safeguards. Brad Griffin, president of the Montana Retail Association, said stakeholders worked together during an interim process and urged passage so Montana retailers could offer the same delivery options available in other states. Tom Kerr, general counsel for the Adult Beverage Alliance (representing Amazon, DoorDash, Grubhub, Shipt and Uber), said the bill creates a permitting and training framework used elsewhere.

Representatives of delivery platforms described technological and operational safeguards. Anna Powell, senior manager of government relations for DoorDash in the Northwest, described a multi‑step verification process combining digital scans and a physical check at the door: "Nothing is more important to DoorDash than safety," she said, adding that DoorDash pays drivers for unsuccessful alcohol deliveries and blocks customers who submit IDs identified as fake.

Informational witnesses included Becky Schlau, alcoholic beverage control administrator at the Department of Revenue, who said the department would prefer some clarifications be made in statute rather than left entirely to rulemaking. Trade groups representing on‑premise licensees and brewers said they had reviewed the measure and did not oppose it if safeguards remain in place.

Committee members asked about limits on quantities deliverable, training reciprocity and timelines, where deliveries would be left if the retail premises are closed, and who bears liability and program costs. Zollnikov and industry witnesses said some details—such as maximum quantities per delivery and certain training logistics—would be addressed in department rulemaking; Schlau agreed the department could clarify training and other technical points in rules.

The hearing record shows robust stakeholder engagement and a range of implementation issues the department and stakeholders would need to resolve in rulemaking. No formal vote was taken in committee during the hearing.