South Carolina legislators are advancing a pair of measures aimed at overhauling the state’s alcohol laws, targeting both retail hours and the rising insurance costs plaguing local hospitality businesses.
For the first time in years, a serious effort is underway to allow retail liquor stores to operate on Sundays. Currently, South Carolina is one of the few remaining states where spirits can only be purchased at bars and restaurants on the first day of the week, while retail package stores must remain closed.
Sunday Sales Proposal
House Bill 4001 seeks to relax these “blue law” holdovers by allowing liquor stores to open for a specific four-hour window on Sundays, specifically between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Proponents argue the change would modernize state commerce and provide convenience for consumers, while aligning retail options with those already available in the service industry.
Liquor Liability Reform
While retail hours are a major point of discussion, the House has already approved a separate, critical piece of legislation addressing the state’s liquor liability insurance crisis. Currently, any establishment serving alcohol is required to carry a minimum of $1 million in liability insurance. Business owners have reported that these high premiums, combined with a difficult legal environment, have forced many long-standing venues to close.
The proposed reform offers a path to lower these operational costs. Under the bill, the insurance requirement could be reduced to as low as $250,000 for establishments that agree to specific safety and operational mandates. One such requirement includes moving closing times to before midnight, which insurers view as a way to significantly decrease the risk of alcohol-related incidents.
Next Steps in the Senate
The liability reform bill is now heading to the Senate, where it is expected to face intense scrutiny from both the legal community and hospitality advocates. If passed, the measure would represent a major shift in how the state balances public safety with the economic viability of the nightlife and dining sectors.
The Sunday sales bill remains under deliberation, as lawmakers weigh traditional social concerns against the potential for increased tax revenue and market modernization.
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