South Carolina bill would let counties decide on Sunday liquor sales

A South Carolina bill that would allow counties to decide whether to permit Sunday liquor sales is advancing in the state legislature, according to ABC 15 News WPDE in Myrtle Beach and Florence.

House Bill 4001, sponsored by State Rep. Mark Smith, would not automatically authorize Sunday liquor sales statewide but would instead allow individual counties to put the question to a referendum, WPDE reported. If approved locally, liquor stores could open between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sundays. Store owners would be required to purchase a $3,000 permit and cover additional operating costs.

“What this bill does not do is authorize Sunday liquor sales,” Smith told WPDE. “What this bill does do is allow every county to put it on a referendum to decide if Sunday liquor sales is right, appropriate or fitting for that county.”

Some small business owners told the station they see potential in tourist-heavy areas like Charleston but say the economics must make sense before they would commit to Sunday hours. Smith emphasized that no business would be forced to open or close under the proposal, ABC 15 News WPDE reported.

The bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee.