South Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: In Committee

S 849 — Alcohol delivery and curbside pickup

Last action — Scrivener's error corrected

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced January 28, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Stalled 24% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 13 sponsors

    13 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 61-2-170, RELATING TO DRIVE-THROUGH OR CURBSIDE SERVICE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, SO AS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS; BY ADDING SECTION 61-4-45 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT MAY ISSUE CERTAIN LICENSES OR PERMITS ALLOWING A RETAILER TO OFFER CERTAIN CURBSIDE DELIVERY OR PICK UP; BY ADDING SECTION 61-4-280 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A RETAIL DEALER MAY HIRE A DELIVERY SERVICE TO DELIVER CERTAIN BEER AND WINE AND TO PROVIDE FOR REQUIREMENTS; BY ADDING SECTION 61-6-1570 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT MAY ISSUE CERTAIN LICENSES OR PERMITS ALLOWING A RETAILER TO OFFER CERTAIN CURBSIDE DELIVERY OR PICK UP; AND BY ADDING SECTION 61-6-1580 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A RETAIL DEALER MAY HIRE A DELIVERY SERVICE TO DELIVER CERTAIN ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS AND TO PROVIDE FOR REQUIREMENTS.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

2 added · 80 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of Bill S. 849 includes new language that clarifies the responsibilities of retail dealers when delivering beer or wine. Specifically, it states that dealers are considered to have fulfilled their obligations once they hand over the alcohol to the recipient. This change is important because it sets a clear point of responsibility, which could help avoid misunderstandings and legal issues related to alcohol delivery.

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Previous
Latest
2025-2026 Bill 849 Text of Previous Version (Apr.
2025-2026 Bill 849 Text of Previous Version (Jan.
29, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 849Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter(Text matches printed bills.
28, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 849Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter(Text matches printed bills.
Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.) Indicates Matter Stricken Indicates New Matter   Committee Report April 29, 2026   S.
Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)                 A bill   TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 61-2-170, RELATING TO DRIVE-THROUGH OR CURBSIDE SERVICE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, SO AS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS;
849   Introduced by Senators Elliott, Johnson, Sutton, Turner, Climer, Ott, Zell, Young, Bennett, Hutto, Tedder, Adams and Graham   S.
Printed 4/29/26--S.
Read the first time January 28, 2026   ________   The committee on Senate Judiciary To whom was referred a Bill (S.
849) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 61-2-170, relating to drive-through or curbside service of alcoholic beverages, so as to provide certain, etc., respectfully Report:
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:
      Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 4.A., Section 61-4-280, by adding subsections to read:
    (Q)(1) A retail dealer's responsibilities under this section regarding delivery of beer or wine to a recipient are considered satisfied at the time the retail dealer transfers possession of the beer or wine to the delivery service or a delivery driver employed by, contracted with, or acting on behalf of the holder of a delivery service license.
       (2) An action by a third-party delivery driver is not attributable to the retail dealer with regard to:
           (a) providing, selling, or serving beer or wine to a minor or to an intoxicated individual;
           (b) the delivery of beer or wine in an otherwise prohibited area;
or            (c) any other provision of the law.
       (3) A retail dealer:
           (a) is not required to verify that the delivery service or the third-party delivery driver meets the requirements established in subsection (C) or subsection (F);
and            (b) may not be held responsible for any reason under statutory or common law for the actions of a delivery service or third-party delivery driver acting on behalf of a delivery service licensee.
    (R) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the department to subject a retail dealer to any administrative proceedings or disciplinary action due to any actions of a delivery service or third-party delivery driver acting on behalf of a delivery service license holder.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 6.A., Section 61-6-1580, by adding subsections to read:
    (Q)(1) A retail dealer's responsibilities under this section regarding the delivery of alcoholic liquor to a recipient are considered satisfied at the time the retail dealer transfers possession of the alcoholic liquor to the delivery service or a delivery driver employed by, contracted with, or acting on behalf of the holder of a delivery service license.
       (2) An action by a delivery service or by a third-party delivery driver is not attributable to the retail dealer with regard to:
           (a) providing, selling, or serving alcoholic liquor to a minor or to an intoxicated individual;
           (b) the delivery of alcoholic liquor in an otherwise prohibited area;
or            (c) any other provision of the law.
       (3) A retail dealer:
           (a) is not required to verify that the delivery service or the third-party delivery driver meets the requirements established in subsection (C) or subsection (F);
and            (b) may not be held responsible for any reason under statutory or common law for the actions of a delivery service or third-party delivery driver acting on behalf of a delivery service licensee.
    (R) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the department to subject a retail dealer to any administrative proceedings or disciplinary action due to any actions of a delivery or third-party delivery driver acting on behalf of a delivery service license holder.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
  LUKE RANKIN for Committee.
  _______                 A bill   TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 61-2-170, RELATING TO DRIVE-THROUGH OR CURBSIDE SERVICE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, SO AS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS;
----XX---- This web page was last updated on April 29, 2026 at 08:02 PM
----XX---- This web page was last updated on January 28, 2026 at 01:50 PM
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How this bill changes current law

8 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes that retail dealers are not liable for actions taken by third-party delivery services regarding alcoholic beverage deliveries.

  • Section 61-4-280

    (Q)(1) A retail dealer's responsibilities under this section regarding delivery of beer or wine to a recipient are considered satisfied at the time the retail dealer transfers possession of the beer or wine to the delivery service or a delivery driver employed by, contracted with, or acting on behalf of the holder of a delivery service license.

    Retail dealers are relieved of responsibility for actions taken by delivery services after transferring possession of beer or wine.

  • Section 61-4-280

    (Q)(2) An action by a third-party delivery driver is not attributable to the retail dealer with regard to: (a) providing, selling, or serving beer or wine to a minor or to an intoxicated individual; (b) the delivery of beer or wine in an otherwise prohibited area; or (c) any other provision of the law.

    Retail dealers are not held responsible for violations committed by third-party delivery drivers.

  • Section 61-4-280

    (Q)(3)(a) A retail dealer is not required to verify that the delivery service or the third-party delivery driver meets the requirements established in subsection (C) or subsection (F); (b) may not be held responsible for any reason under statutory or common law for the actions of a delivery service or third-party delivery driver acting on behalf of a delivery service licensee.

    Retail dealers do not need to ensure compliance of delivery services and are not liable for their actions.

  • Section 61-4-280

    (R) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the department to subject a retail dealer to any administrative proceedings or disciplinary action due to any actions of a delivery service or third-party delivery driver acting on behalf of a delivery service license holder.

    Retail dealers cannot face administrative actions for third-party delivery issues.

  • Section 61-6-1580

    (Q)(1) A retail dealer's responsibilities under this section regarding the delivery of alcoholic liquor to a recipient are considered satisfied at the time the retail dealer transfers possession of the alcoholic liquor to the delivery service or a delivery driver employed by, contracted with, or acting on behalf of the holder of a delivery service license.

    Retail dealers are relieved of responsibility for actions taken by delivery services after transferring possession of alcoholic liquor.

  • Section 61-6-1580

    (Q)(2) An action by a delivery service or by a third-party delivery driver is not attributable to the retail dealer with regard to: (a) providing, selling, or serving alcoholic liquor to a minor or to an intoxicated individual; (b) the delivery of alcoholic liquor in an otherwise prohibited area; or (c) any other provision of the law.

    Retail dealers are not held responsible for violations committed by delivery services.

  • Section 61-6-1580

    (Q)(3)(a) A retail dealer is not required to verify that the delivery service or the third-party delivery driver meets the requirements established in subsection (C) or subsection (F); (b) may not be held responsible for any reason under statutory or common law for the actions of a delivery service or third-party delivery driver acting on behalf of a delivery service licensee.

    Retail dealers do not need to ensure compliance of delivery services and are not liable for their actions.

  • Section 61-6-1580

    (R) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the department to subject a retail dealer to any administrative proceedings or disciplinary action due to any actions of a delivery service or third-party delivery driver acting on behalf of a delivery service license holder.

    Retail dealers cannot face administrative actions for third-party delivery issues.

Action History

  1. Scrivener's error corrected

  2. Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary

  3. Referred to Committee on Judiciary

  4. Introduced and read first time

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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13 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 157 not signed on

Sponsors (13)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (157)

157 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 157 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety labor technology
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does S 849 do?
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 61-2-170, RELATING TO DRIVE-THROUGH OR CURBSIDE SERVICE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, SO AS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS; BY ADDING SECTION 61-4-45 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT MAY ISSUE CERTAIN LICENSES OR PERMITS ALLOWING A RETAILER TO OFFER CERTAIN CURBSIDE DELIVERY OR PICK UP; BY ADDING SECTION 61-4-280 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A RETAIL DEALER MAY HIRE A DELIVERY SERVICE TO DELIVER CERTAIN BEER AND WINE AND TO PROVIDE FOR REQUIREMENTS; BY ADDING SECTION 61-6-1570 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT MAY ISSUE CERTAIN LICENSES OR PERMITS ALLOWING A RETAILER TO OFFER CERTAIN CURBSIDE DELIVERY OR PICK UP; AND BY ADDING SECTION 61-6-1580 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A RETAIL DEALER MAY HIRE A DELIVERY SERVICE TO DELIVER CERTAIN ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS AND TO PROVIDE FOR REQUIREMENTS.
Who sponsors S 849?
S 849 is sponsored by Senator Jason Elliott, Senator Michael Johnson, Senator Ed Sutton, Senator Ross Turner, Senator Wes Climer, Senator Russell L. Ott, Senator Jeff Zell, Senator Tom Young, Jr., Senator Sean M. Bennett, Senator Brad Hutto, Senator Deon T. Tedder, Senator Brian Adams, and Senator Jeffrey R. Graham.
What is the current status of S 849?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced January 28, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track S 849?
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