Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Alcohol Delivery topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate panel hears HB 211 to allow third-party beer and wine delivery, with safety and training requirements
Summary
HB 211 would create a third-party delivery license for off-premise beer and wine sales, set driver qualifications and ID-scanning requirements, limit delivery locations and require records and insurance; industry platforms and retail groups supported the bill and emphasized compliance safeguards.
The Senate Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs Committee heard House Bill 211, which would permit third-party beer and table wine delivery from Montana-licensed grocery stores and pharmacies and create a licensing framework for third-party delivery companies and employees.
Representative Katie Zolnikov, sponsor, said the bill creates a third-party delivery license, requires drivers to be at least 21, to complete responsible-server training, and to use department-approved ID-scanning technology or alternatives. The bill restricts deliveries to hours when the off-premise seller may lawfully sell alcohol, requires alcohol transported in the rear of motor vehicles (and in closed compartments on bicycles), mandates recordkeeping for three years, and requires third-party carriers to carry at least $1,000,000 per-occurrence liability insurance.
Proponents including Brad Griffin (Montana Retail Association) and Deborah Pitassy (Montana Beer and Wine Distributors Association) said the bill was the product of three years of stakeholder work and incorporates safeguards to prevent underage or intoxicated deliveries. Platform companies that testified — Instacart (Jessica Lynham), DoorDash (Anna Powell), and the Adult Beverage Alliance (Tom Kerr) — described training, digital ID-scanning, and at-the-door checks designed to prevent unlawful deliveries. "Dashers never have to and never will have to choose between completing a delivery or complying with the law," Anna Powell said.
Committee members asked about deliveries to visibly intoxicated people, vehicle types (motorcycles, e-bikes, side-by-sides), payment processes, and whether one license covers a company or individual drivers. Witnesses said the server rule prohibiting service to obviously intoxicated persons remains in force; the license is issued to the third-party company (or a grocery using its employees), not to each driver. The sponsor noted nationwide adoption trends and framed the bill as leveling the playing field for Montana grocers against out-of-state sellers.
No vote was taken; the hearing will be followed by continued committee consideration and any potential amendments.
