S.C. senators consider pausing liquor liability law after relief falls short

MORNING HEADLINES | Less than a year after state lawmakers passed a sweeping liquor liability law aimed at keeping bars and restaurants open, state senators are now considering putting it on pause, saying it failed to deliver the relief intended.

The law sought to curb lawsuits against businesses that serve alcohol while stabilizing the rising cost of liability insurance. It required establishments to carry at least $1 million in insurance and offered incentives to reduce premiums.

But Republican leaders said insurance costs have continued to rise, and many restaurants and bars — especially smaller, locally owned businesses — are still having to shut their doors.

The pause would eliminate the insurance mandate altogether, allowing businesses to sell alcohol without carrying liquor liability coverage through June 2027.

The proposal is tied to the state budget passed by the S.C. Senate after a three-day debate. The $15 billion budget will also raise state employee and teacher pay, fix infrastructure, bridges and local roads and cover a variety of health care needs.

The budget is also loaded up with proviso amendments covering data centers, image and likeness contracts, higher legislative pay, panic alarm buttons and resources for farmers.

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