Alcohol legislation passes

JEFFERSON CITY—New alcohol legislation passed by the Missouri General Assembly in May amends the state’s liquor laws in a way that may prove to be harmful to Missouri’s residents.

The legislation is troublesome to Missouri Baptists and others who are concerned about alcohol-related health and safety problems.

It provides for home delivery orders of up to two cases of wine per month to any resident of the state who is at least 21 years old, for that person’s personal use and not for resale.

The measure states that alcohol carrier licensees shall not deliver wine to any person under the age of 21 or anyone who is, or appears to be, intoxicated. Nothing in the measure appears to spell out how to determine whether the recipient is intoxicated.

Kerry Messer, lobbyist for Missouri Baptist Convention’s Christian Life Commission, said if the bill is signed into law it could result in lots of problems as to who is actually receiving those liquor shipments at the address. However, this portion of the bill does establish some criteria for holding delivery drivers accountable for who receives the packages. Due to complicated legal issues, the state is already being forced to allow home deliveries without any adequate regulations.

Two senators combined their bills to bring about the final product. Sen. Ryan McKenna, D-Crystal City, sponsored Senate Bill 616 which was later rolled into Senate Bill 299, sponsored by Sen. Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield, whose home church is First Baptist, West Plains. The bill was passed in the House of Representatives on May 18, the last day of the session.