Columbia, SC – South Carolina businesses and consumers may soon see increased fairness, transparency, and accountability in the state’s liquor liability insurance and alcohol permitting process, thanks to new legislation introduced by State Senator Deon Tedder (D-Charleston). The bill strikes a sensible compromise between protecting business owners who follow the law and victims of negligence by requiring insurance companies and the Department of Revenue to annually report key data on liquor liability policies and alcohol permits.
“This legislation is about fairness and accountability,” said Senator Deon Tedder. “We must ensure that business owners are not unfairly penalized by abrupt policy cancellations, while also maintaining protections for individuals harmed by negligence. By increasing transparency, we can foster a more stable business climate while ensuring that victims still have a path to justice.”
Key Provisions of the Bill:
•Annual Reporting by Insurers: Insurers providing liquor liability coverage in South Carolina must report to the Department of Insurance:
•How premiums for liquor liability policies are calculated.
•The number of new and renewed liquor liability policies.
•The number of cancellations or non-renewals in the past year.
•Legislative Oversight: The Department of Insurance will compile the data and submit an annual report to the General Assembly.
•Alcohol Permit Transparency: The Department of Revenue will also report yearly on:
•The total number of new, renewed, revoked, and suspended permits for on-premises alcohol sales.
Balancing Business Protection and Consumer Safety
By requiring more transparency from insurers and regulators, this bill protects businesses from sudden policy cancellations while giving lawmakers the tools to identify industry trends and ensure fair practices.
“South Carolina’s restaurants, bars, and venues are key to our economy, and so is public safety,” added Senator Tedder. “This bill is about finding a middle ground—giving businesses the security they need while ensuring that those affected by negligence have a fair process.”
The bill is expected to move through the legislative process in the coming weeks. If passed, it will take effect upon approval by the Governor.
