S.C. governor, lawmakers and businesses hail new liquor liability law
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - For well over a year – bars and restaurants across South Carolina have been begging for help in the face of skyrocketing insurance costs.
On Wednesday, Gov. Henry McMaster ed legislators to mark a new law that aims to provide them relief – while creating a fairer judiciary.
Leaders at the State House say the new law addresses bars’ and restaurants’ concerns, makes the civil justice system fairer and promotes public safety.
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But they vowed Wednesday that this is just the start of their work on these issues – not the end of it.
“It’s a small step, but it’s a step in the right direction,” said Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield.
Getting the bill to the governor was, at times, contentious – and it took weeks of debate and closed-door negotiations in the closing days of the legislative session – to hash out a compromise that’s now law.
Part of it aims to address skyrocketing liquor liability insurance costs that have made it unaffordable for many bars and restaurants across the state to stay open.
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The law keeps in place a 2017 requirement that bars and restaurants that serve alcohol maintain a $1 million liability policy.
But there will be new opportunities for them to lower that amount if they meet certain steps, like if they stop serving alcohol before midnight.
The agreement will also enact mandatory alcohol server training – and other steps designed to lower s.
“This legislation reflects an important recognition: That the current system needed to be addressed, and that those who run responsible, community-minded establishments need a regulatory environment that s them,” said {Keith Benjamin of the Responsible Hospitality Reform Alliance.
The law also keeps a major component of the Senate’s tort reform bill, t and several liability, which deals with which parties can be held responsible in lawsuits.
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As part of that – it amended an existing carveout in state law – that put bars and restaurants on the hook for a significantly outsized portion of damages in drunk driving lawsuits.
“It also brings fairness to our judicial system,” said Rep. Weston Newton, R-Beaufort, who chairs the Judiciary Committee.
While senators’ original bill included several more topics – like medical malpractice and auto insurance – they were dropped from the final version with a promise the House would take up these issues next year.
“This new law is a major step forward for business and for the people of South Carolina,” McMaster said.
The new law will take effect Jan. 1 of next year.
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