SC: Law makes it easier to serve alcohol; schools can now give permission to locate closer
By Gene Zaleski T&D, Staff Writer
July 30, 2018
School boards can waive distance requirements for businesses serving liquor under a law sponsored by an Orangeburg Democrat.
The bill was introduced at the request of a restaurant in another part of the state to allow public and private schools to give permission for distance requirements to be waived, Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter said.
“A few members were opposed because of religious beliefs and I can understand that point of view. However, I don’t believe it’s my job to legislate morality,” she said.
A business that serves liquor on its premises can’t locate within 300 feet of a school in a city’s limits. It has to be 500 feet away outside of a municipality.
The new law lets a business closer to a school get a liquor license for on-site consumption, if the school’s governing body does not object.
The bill was signed into law by Gov. Henry McMaster on May 25 and became law June 1.
A bill previously sponsored by Cobb-Hunter and signed into law by former Gov. Nikki Haley in June 2014 allowed businesses to sell alcohol near churches and playgrounds if the decision-making bodies do not object to the license’s issuance.
The original law was enacted at the request of Rosalia’s Mexican Restaurant at 1058 Russell Street in Orangeburg. The restaurant could not get a liquor license initially because it moved into a building with a church nearby.
Cobb-Hunter said the new law can be positive for communities by making it easier for restaurants to cater to customers interested in consuming liquor with their meals.
“Tourism is a major contributor to the state’s general fund and the ability to capitalize on tourism is critical in my view,” she said.
The law also stipulates at the time of the license’s renewal period, the school’s decision-making body may withdraw its statement declaring it does not object to the license by notifying the South Carolina Department of Revenue.