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A grassroots movement in South Carolina aims to address the negative impact caused by liquor liability insurance laws

A grassroots movement led by small business owners and community members in South Carolina is working to undo the damage caused by the passage of new state liquor liability insurance laws in 2017. The movement, known as the SC Venue Crisis organization, believes that the legislation, known as S. 116, is being exploited to the detriment of business owners.

S. 116 requires bars, restaurants, and venues that serve alcohol after 5 p.m. to carry a $1 million liability insurance policy. The intention behind the measure was to protect victims of drunk driving and their families. However, the organizers argue that the legislation lacks key language to prevent businesses from being held fully responsible for damages, even if they are only 1% at fault.

The SC Venue Crisis organization points out that in South Carolina, multiple establishments can be held 100% liable in a lawsuit, which is the heart of the problem. As a result of frivolous lawsuits following the implementation of S. 116, insurance rates have skyrocketed, causing many insurance companies to leave the state. In just a few years, the number of insurance providers has dropped from 12 to 3.

The average liability policy in the state has seen a significant increase, ranging from $2,000-$5,000 to as high as $25,000. Some small business owners claim that they are struggling to find rates below $100,000. This surge in costs is putting the survival of many small businesses at risk.

To address this issue, proposed legislation is being introduced in the state House of Representatives and Senate. One such bill, H. 4529, also known as the S.C. Save Our Venues Act, aims to prevent businesses from being held liable for injuries, deaths, or damages caused by individuals who became overly intoxicated, as long as the business did not continue to serve alcohol to that individual beyond a reasonable level. Although the bill has garnered support with 15 co-sponsors and was referred to the Judiciary Committee, it is unlikely to be considered until next year.

Another bill, the S.C. Justice Act, introduced by senior S.C. Sen. Thomas Alexander, seeks to amend state laws regarding fault and liability percentages. The proposed reform aims to make it more difficult for “frivolous lawsuits” to harm business owners. This includes measures such as placing caps on economic damages and attorney fees.

The SC Venue Crisis movement is actively seeking support through town hall meetings across the state, where they are urging people to respectfully contact their local legislators and express support for H. 4529 and S. 533. They hope that putting pressure on lawmakers and raising awareness of the impact on small businesses will lead to necessary changes in the legislation.

How AI legalese decoder Can Help

The AI legalese decoder can provide valuable assistance to both the grassroots movement and lawmakers in understanding and analyzing the impact of liquor liability insurance laws. By utilizing advanced natural language processing and machine learning algorithms, the AI legalese decoder can decipher complex legal jargon and highlight key language within the legislation. It can identify potential loopholes or ambiguities that could be exploited and recommend improvements to prevent unintended negative consequences for small business owners. Additionally, the AI legalese decoder can provide insights into the potential economic impact of the legislation, helping lawmakers make informed decisions and strike a balance between protecting victims and supporting local businesses.

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