Alcoholic beverages; allowing certain payment methods; establishing certain EFT payments. Effective date.

SB 1044 requires all retail stores selling beer, wine, or spirits (including mixed beverage and caterer licensees) to pay their alcohol distributors or wholesalers exclusively through electronic funds transfer (EFT) payments, replacing cash or checks for these transactions. The bill mandates that distributors initiate EFT payments within one business day of delivery, with chain retailers required to maintain detailed store-by-store records linking payments to deliveries. Limited exceptions allow cash or checks only for specific cases, such as initial purchases or small transactions under $50. This policy change directly affects retail alcohol licensees and their distributors by standardizing payment methods and improving transaction traceability. The bill amends Oklahoma’s alcohol licensing statutes to enforce this electronic payment requirement.