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SCRLA's Legislative Agenda
The first session of the 124th General Assembly for the South Carolina Legislature began in January. The SCRLA's legislative agenda for 2021 includes:
Support SC-PRT’s Budget Request
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Strategic Implementation of Workforce Development Plan
Support COVID-19 Business Liability Protection
Level Playing Field with Short Term Rentals
Continued Awareness of Human Trafficking
Modernize Alcohol Laws
Legalize Cocktails To-Go
Statutory Clarity on Alcohol Licenses
Support Dram Shop Reform
Support Alcohol Licenses for Caterers
Defeat Earlier School Starts
Maximize COVID-19 Vaccination Phases for Frontline Workers
The hospitality industry is a force for good in South Carolina— it lifts people up, it’s where life is celebrated and memories are made. This industry gives people a first chance and a career, and many times, a second chance. As businessowners, you give back constantly, even when your own business is hurting as we’ve seen with the COVID-19 pandemic. A strong hospitality industry creates stronger communities, and in order to be successful, you need a strong voice. We are your voice.
Through grassroots advocacy and meaningful relationships, the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (SCRLA) promotes and protects the industry at the local, state, and federal levels. The SCRLA approaches advocacy on two fronts:
1. promoting legislation and regulations that will benefit the industry and your business; and
2. working to defeat legislation and regulations that could negatively impact the industry and your business.
The 124th legislative session is marked by unprecedented opportunities and unique challenges for South Carolina's hospitality industry. It is paramount that the SCRLA take full advantage of this first legislative session.
The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the hospitality industry, but it has also created enormous goodwill for restaurants and hotels amongst the general public and our policymakers.
Because our agenda fits within the broader category of COVID-19 recovery, it is likely for legislation to be fast-tracked compared to other bills this session.
Get to know your elected officials. Building relationships with them can help us work together so we can continue promoting the best interests of our industry. Stay engaged by communicating with your family, friends, and coworkers when we need grassroots support.
Minimum Wage Impact Survey Results
Respondents were presented with the Raise the Wage Act of 2021, which would increase the federal minimum wage to $15 by 2025 and eliminate the tipped wage by 2027.
The initial 2021 wage increase would negatively impact restaurants’ ability to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
In 2021, the Raise the Wage Act is scheduled to boost the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $9.50 and the federal tipped wage from $2.13 to $4.95.
82% of operators say these initial wage increases would have a negative impact on their restaurant’s ability to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
Only 2% of operators say the wage hikes would have a positive impact on their ability to recover from the pandemic.
Understanding the RESTAURANTS Act of 2021
This bill builds on a concept first proposed to Congress by the NRA in March 2020—a dedicated industry fund to help restaurants which have suffered more losses in jobs and revenue than any other sector because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Establishes a $120 billion “Restaurant Revitalization Fund” managed by the U.S. Department of Treasury to provide direct grants to eligible entities.
Covered Period: Began February 15, 2021 and ends 8 months after enactment of the program. If funds are not spent within 8 months of enactment, the entity’s funds convert to a loan with an interest rate of 1% with a maturity date of 10 years.
Eligible Entity: Owns or operates—as of March 13, 2020—20 or fewer establishments, regardless of the type of ownership of the locations and whether those locations do business under the same or multiple names.
