Lexington County State Representative Leading Push for Liquor Liability Reform

The city of Lexington County is currently witnessing a fervent push for reform in liquor liability laws, with State Representative Jay Kilmartin (R-Lexington) at the forefront of the movement. Local restaurant owners are intensifying their efforts to combat the escalating insurance rates in South Carolina, which pose a significant threat to their business sustainability.

South Carolina Venue Crisis, a grassroots organization dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by Palmetto State venues, recently organized a tort reform rally at the Statehouse on February 20. The rally aimed to draw attention to the adverse impact of the state mandate requiring businesses with liquor or beer licenses to maintain a liability insurance policy of at least $1 million.

As insurance rates continue to soar, many policy providers are withdrawing from the state, leaving businesses vulnerable and financially strained. Representative Kilmartin, who owns and operates establishments in Columbia, shared his personal experience of witnessing insurance rates skyrocket, with premiums at his cigar store spiking from $1,500 to $20,000 annually and those for his restaurants surging from $22,000 to $67,000.

Local business owners, including the owner of Jocassee Valley Brewing Company and Kynn Tribble, a dive bar owner in Piedmont and member of the Venue Crisis executive committee, emphasized the vital role that restaurants, bars, and venues play in the community. Tribble expressed alarm at the drastic increase in insurance rates, with his own premiums surging from $5,000 to $60,000.

Representative Kilmartin lauded the efforts of Venue Crisis in advocating for legislative change to protect businesses from exorbitant liability costs. He highlighted the indispensable contributions of bars and restaurants to South Carolina’s economy, including generating revenue from tourism and various taxes.

The rallying cry of “Let the Dives Survive” echoed through the Statehouse, symbolizing a plea to uphold the essence of local bars and restaurants. The push for liquor liability reform seeks equitable treatment for all businesses, regardless of their size or classification. Sheila Merck, director of operations and communications for Venue Crisis, emphasized the community support that underpins the resilience of these establishments.