Bill allowing home delivery of alcohol makes first step in South Carolina House
Last week, I testified before the South Carolina House Judiciary General Laws Subcommittee on Representative Weston Newton’s H.3857, a bill that would permit home delivery of alcohol. We wrote about a similar bill during the last legislative session. The below article, originally published in WIS10, highlights the bill hearing as well as some of my testimony. You can find my full remarks in the video embedded at the end of this post.
Columbia, S.C. (WIS10): A proposal that would allow alcohol to be delivered directly to South Carolinians’ homes advanced through a subcommittee in the State House on Tuesday, renewing a debate that has surfaced several times in recent years.
The bill would permit local liquor stores to deliver beer, wine and liquor themselves or partner with third‑party services. Customers would be required to show valid identification upon delivery, and drivers would be barred from dropping off alcohol at schools, churches or college dorms. Under the proposal, beverages must be sealed and cannot be chilled.
Supporters say the measure would modernize state law and give consumers more flexibility.
“We’d like to open that up to allow retailers who want to provide those options to their customers,” said Krista Hinson, executive director of the South Carolina Retail Association.
Oran Smith, a senior fellow at Palmetto Promise, said delivery could offer both economic benefits and safety advantages.
“I think it would be good for the economy but at the same time safe and keeping folk off the roads,” he said. “Often when you’re interested in more alcohol, you may have already had some watching a football game.”
But opponents argue the state should focus instead on reducing alcohol‑related harm.
Rep. John McCravy, R‑Greenwood, referenced a Senate‑passed bill strengthening DUI laws last week, as evidence the legislature should prioritize addressing the state’s drinking issues.
“When we debate alcohol, it’s not just to me something that’s a harmless pastime,” McCravy said. “We have serious issues in our state.”
Laura Hudson, with the South Carolina Crime Victims’ Council, said she doubts the bill would keep people off the roads and fears it could create more loopholes for people to obtain alcohol that shouldn’t be able to.
“The argument that those people are going to be at home and not on the roads — that’s foolish to think that they’re not going to get out at some point and drive,” Hudson said.
The bill includes training requirements for delivery drivers, who would be required to refuse orders if a customer appears intoxicated, is under 21 or cannot provide appropriate identification.
Drivers must be at least 18 years old to drop off beer or wine, and 21 years old to deliver liquor.
The bill now heads to a full House Judiciary committee vote.
