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Proposed bill would allow online alcohol orders to be delivered in Wisconsin during coronavirus pandemic

Posted at 3:40 PM, Apr 05, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-05 16:40:45-04

WISCONSIN — A proposed Wisconsin bill could allow alcohol retailers to make deliveries from online or telephone orders.

Senate Bill 931, introduced late last month by Senator Chris Larson, would allow certain establishments to deliver alcohol to customers in Wisconsin.

Under current law, businesses with a retail license can only accept face-to-face orders from consumers. However, if the new bill passes, consumers will be able to purchase alcohol online or over the phone, and have it delivered to their home.

This proposed bill only allows these online and phone orders during a statewide public health emergency.

These online and phone orders can be placed as long as these five conditions are met:

  • The retailer holds a Class “A” or “Class A” license or holds a Class “B” or “Class B” license issued for a grocery store or restaurant
  • The products ordered are delivered to the customer by the retailer or an independent delivery service that gets less than half its revenue from delivering alcoholic beverages
  • Full payment of the order is made at the time the order is place
  • At the time the order is placed, the customer must assert that they are in fact 21 and are not intoxicated
  • When the alcohol is delivered, before the alcohol changes possessions, the retailer must confirm that the consumer is in fact 21 by checking their identification.

The bill was introduced by Senator Larson on March 26 and referred to the Committee on Economic Development, Commerce, and Trade on the same day. Its future is uncertain as the legislature is not scheduled to meet again until April 21.

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