The Georgia House approved a bill Tuesday that allows beer and wine to be delivered to your door.
Better make sure you're home, though, if House Bill 879 goes into law. The bill requires someone at least 21 years old to be home to accept the package and provide proof of age.
The bill would allow beer and wine to be delivered from grocery stores and convenience stores directly to customers. Third-party apps like Drizly and Minibar, which get the customer’s preferred beverages from local stores and deliver them, would also be allowed under the legislation. Liquor stores are not included in the bill, so Georgians would still be unable to get a bottle of vodka or bourbon sent to their home.
There has been some concern that home deliveries could be used by teens to get alcohol, said Rep. Lynn Smith, R-Newnan. Sponsor Rep. Brett Harrell, R-Snellville, said the law’s requirements for proof of age will prevent that.
“There are more checks in this bill than there are at the counter of a retail store,” Harrell said.
The bill has been driven by consumer demand and the increasing frequency of grocery delivery. One app that provides alcohol delivery in 30 other states had more than 400,000 requests for deliveries in Georgia last year, but could fulfill none of them because it wasn’t legal, Harrell said.
“This allows you to get your groceries delivered with a bottle of wine or a six pack of beer,” Harrell said.
The bill passed 110-54 and awaits a Senate vote.
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