ST. GEORGE — If HB 100 survives the 2023 legislative session and becomes law, Utah residents who utilize grocery stores’ home delivery system will be able to include beer in their orders.
Rep. Joel Briscoe, D-Salt Lake City, told St. George News that the beer order and delivery amendments bill, officially designated HB 100 in the 2023 Utah Legislature, is fairly simple to sum up: “The goal of the bill is to allow people who order groceries from the store to have beer delivered.”
Briscoe, who is sponsoring the bill, said during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, he was contacted by a man in his 80s who did not want to leave his home to shop.
“He said, ‘I love getting online and ordering groceries and having someone bring it to my house,'” Brisco said. “‘Why can’t I get my beer delivered? I’m asking my neighbor. I’m asking friends. I’m tired of leaning on my neighbors and friends. I’m 80. I’m frail. I can order my eggs and my bread and my orange juice, why can’t I get my Coors?’
“That’s the impetus behind this bill. He ought to be able to do that.”
Additionally, Briscoe recounted a conversation with a Utah radio host who described a scenario wherein beer runs out at a get-together.
“Someone who’s been drinking for a couple of hours has to drive to the store to get more beer,” he said. “Why don’t we just let the store deliver it?”
If this were to move forward, Briscoe said the typical process would involve someone who is at least 21 ordering beer from a grocer, and at that business would be properly trained employees at least 21 years old. The employee would process the order and deliver it to the individual who ordered it, and that customer would have to produce a valid ID. A credit card would complete the transaction. If any part of the process is missing, the sale is nullified.
Briscoe emphasized several cautionary points during his 15-minute phone conversation with St. George News, including adherence by distributors to a strictly outlined procedure.
“Let’s make sure it operates the way it’s supposed to operate, and these are the rules,” he said. “Do this well. Don’t cut any corners. Do this the way it’s supposed to be done.”
And to those who have doubts about the reason behind this legislation, Briscoe said he realizes much of the responsibility would fall on those purchasing the beer, not just the stores.
“My response to the people who say I’m trying to create mayhem by loosening torrents of liquor into the streets of America and Utah is: Someone who is over 21 can … buy liquor and go home and give it to their younger brother or sister now,” Briscoe said. “We hope that doesn’t happen. We don’t want it to happen.”
Briscoe, who was first elected to the Legislature in 2010, said this legislation is for all Utahns.
“I’m a teetotaler,” he said. “I don’t drink. But this is for my constituents. I’m not making policy for me. I’m making policy for the people I represent. Let’s make policy based on everyone in Utah.”
The bill was introduced to the House on Jan. 17.
Check out all of St. George News’ coverage of the 2023 Utah Legislature here.
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