FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Senate passed a bill allowing restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages with carryout or delivery orders.

Supporters of alcohol to-go say it was one of the only things keeping restaurants afloat during the pandemic, including the bill’s sponsor, Sen. John Schickel (R-Union).

“The small businesses love it, and it’s been very successful,” Schickel said.

Before March, Kentucky didn’t allow alcohol sales through carryout or delivery, but then the pandemic hit, and restaurants needed all the help they could get.

Senate Bill 67 makes changes passed last March permanent.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown) says it’ll also help restaurants recover once life returns to normal.

“We’re not giving them any stimulus money, we’re not passing a bailout for them, we’re just allowing them to have free enterprise,” Thayer said. “And I’ve always spoken on this floor about removing artificial barriers to free enterprise. Senate Bill 67 does that.”

The bill passed in the Senate with most Republicans and all Democrats in favor of it.

Sen. David Yates (D-Louisville) says it’ll help lower cases of drunk driving.

“To me, it makes a heck of a lot more sense for someone to have the drinks to go, to take it home and drink, as opposed to sit in the booth, consume the drinks, and then drive home,” Yates said.

Restaurant groups testified in favor of the bill earlier this month in committee.

It now heads to the House.