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Committee adopts liability guardrails and advances alcohol delivery, curbside bill
Summary
After adopting an amendment delineating retailer and delivery-service liability, the subcommittee reported S.849, which would allow curbside pickup and home delivery of alcohol with age-verification and training requirements; supporters cited modernization and safety protocols, opponents flagged enforcement and penalty weaknesses.
The Senate judiciary subcommittee adopted an amendment and reported S.849, a bill that would allow certain retailers to offer curbside pickup, home delivery and third-party delivery of beer, wine and liquor under state permits and oversight.
Staff described the measure as permitting retailers to use third-party delivery systems subject to regulatory requirements. Supporters said the bill updates South Carolina law to match consumer behavior: "You can get all of your groceries delivered, whether curbside or home delivery, but you cannot do the same if you'd like to add a bottle of wine or a case of beer," said Krista Hinson, executive director of the South Carolina Retail Association.
Industry witnesses described safeguards built into the bill. Jake Holmgren of DoorDash said company protocols require drivers delivering alcohol to be 21, complete training similar to server training, opt in to alcohol deliveries, and use ID-scanning technology. "Drivers are allowed to refuse delivery for any reason," he said, adding DoorDash’s systems use technology to detect fake IDs and incentivize returning noncompliant orders to stores.
Opponents said the bill bundles curbside pickup and home delivery and leaves penalties too weak. Laura Hudson urged stronger, mandatory suspension and revocation criteria and questioned how law enforcement could monitor compliance. Committee staff and supporters said the amendment adopted during the hearing clarifies that a retailer’s responsibility is satisfied when possession transfers to a delivery service or driver, limiting outsized liability for retailers.
Following voice votes and proxy declarations recorded in the hearing, members reported S.849 to the full judiciary committee as amended. The transcript records voice votes and proxy statements (two proxies noted) but no roll-call counts.
Next steps: S.849 will proceed to the full judiciary committee.
