Oklahoma lawmakers are considering a bill to make alcohol delivery permanent.
The ABLE commission began temporarily allowing delivery on March 24 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance was then extended on April 17 and is set to expire this Friday, May 15.
Senate Bill 1928 would allow businesses holding a retail liquor license — including restaurants, bars, clubs, grocery stores and convenience stores — to continue delivery and curbside pickup of beer, wine and spirits in their original sealed containers.
The bill’s author, Senator Roger Thompson, says these services are currently allowed during the current health crisis, so why not continue it.
“If you still want to go to one of the fine restaurants in Oklahoma and you want to get a meal and take home a bottle of wine then you will be able to do that," Thompson said. "If you’re at home and unable to get out, and need to call for a meal to be delivered and bottle of wine at the liquor store. This also applies at grocery stores and liquor stores.”
The Okemah Republican says this only applies to the establishment holding the liquor license and does not include third party delivery services.
Under the legislation, small breweries and small farm wineries would only be allowed to do curbside pickup and not delivery.
The measure passed out of the Senate on Wednesday by a vote of 39 to 7.
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