TAKE ACTION: SCDOT Modernization is Up for a Vote Next Week

Next week, the South Carolina House will vote on legislation that could significantly modernize how our state delivers transportation projects. This is a critical moment for South Carolina’s business community.

Strong, reliable infrastructure is essential to moving goods, getting employees to work and sustaining economic growth. The legislation before the House would improve efficiency at the Department of Transportation by streamlining procurement, reducing bureaucracy and accelerating the timeline from project planning to construction. Importantly, it also gives local governments the option, not a mandate, to assume greater control over roads in their communities where it makes sense.

For businesses facing daily challenges from congestion, aging infrastructure and delayed projects, this reform represents real progress and smarter use of taxpayer dollars.

Now is the time to speak up. Click here to contact your House Representative and urge them to support S. 831 and H. 5071. Let them know how dependable infrastructure impacts your operations, workforce and bottom line, and why modernizing our transportation system is vital to South Carolina’s continued economic success.

Legislative Update: Liquor Liability Relief in the Senate Budget

During this week’s budget debate, the South Carolina Senate reopened the conversation around liquor liability and tort reform, issues that continue to drive up insurance costs for many businesses. After last session’s efforts failed to reduce liquor liability insurance costs, Senators used the budget process to reengage the issue and set the stage for action next year.

As part of that debate, Senator Massey offered a budget proviso that would temporarily suspend the liquor-liability insurance requirement for the current fiscal year. This provision would give affected businesses a one-year reprieve from the new coverage rules, pausing the immediate impact while lawmakers take time next session to reexamine liquor liability and pursue meaningful cost-reducing reforms. The proviso was adopted by voice vote.

Because this language currently exists only in the Senate version of the budget, it will still need approval from the House. Their decision will determine whether this temporary relief remains in the final budget and whether liquor liability reform becomes a top priority next session.

We will continue to monitor negotiations closely and advocate for solutions that reduce costs, provide certainty for employers and support South Carolina’s hospitality and small business communities.

If you have any questions about either of these issues, or want to learn more about the Chamber’s advocacy work at the state level, please contact me at bvincett@charlestonchamber.org.