In downtown Charleston, liquor reliability regulations have affected a great number of businesses. Due of the exorbitant insurance costs, some have even permanently closed.
A law that may save business owners tens of thousands of dollars is currently on its way to the House from the state Senate.
State Senate Bill 244, which would drastically reduce those minimums, is expected to pass the House, according to advocates.
According to business owners, it’s difficult to keep the lights on because of the present legislation. Bar 616 and Bumpas in downtown Charleston had to close their doors for the past two months.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Craig Nelson, owner and operator of Proof bar and restaurant, stated. “I mean, every single time that somebody who put their whole life into it and they’re losing their entire source of income, their family’s business.”
Any business that sold alcohol after 5 p.m. was obliged by law in 2017 to maintain a minimum $1 million insurance policy.
“It’s significantly cut in our revenue. It’s made it impossible to operate really,” Nelson remarked.
Restructuring the minimum insurance coverage required is the goal of Senate Bill 244.
District 20 state senator Ed Sutton (D) clarified that the new minimum for for-profit establishments will now be $500,000.
“A bar or restaurant on King Street looks very different than one in West Ashley. It didn’t make sense,” Senator Sutton stated.
The minimums for American Legions and VFWs would be significantly lower at $300,000 if S244 is approved. This is big, according to Senator Sutton, a veteran of the military.
“VFWs, they’re a social club,” he stated. “They just need to cover their expenses. They don’t make a big profit, they’re just trying to provide a place for veterans to socialize.”
According to Sen. Sutton, the Tort Claims Act will be linked to VFW and American Legion reductions under S244.
According to Nelson, these insurance minimum reductions would result in a significant decrease in operating expenses.
“The price of doing business is too expensive But the insurance is just crushing people. I talk to people from out of state and they’re like, there’s no way I’d open up a place there.”
According to Senator Sutton, the bill would also clearly define the boundaries of such liability.
The main idea of S244 is that if a consumer is obviously drunk, the establishment would stop serving them and their liability will end, he added.
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Additionally, he stated that servers will be taught to identify that. To keep their doors open, business owners are urging residents and visitors to support their favorite establishments in the interim.
It’s unclear if the House will take up the proposal with one and a half months remaining in current session. Senator Sutton is optimistic that the governor will sign this bill soon.
This Information has been sourced from abcnews4.
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