So, the pint bill has been filed. You’ve already read the bill and read what it does and doesn’t do. You’re excited. You’re ready for it to pass and become law. But, what can you do to help a dream become reality? You’ve come to the right place. What follows is what the process will be for this bill and what you can do on every step of the way to make this happen.
First, the bill will be filed by Representatives Derham Cole and Mike Forrester from Spartanburg. That’s RJ Rockers country! You can send them thank you notes for being champions for South Carolina breweries! Here are the links for Rep. Cole and for Rep. Forrester. Please mind your manners and say thanks!
Next, the bill has already been introduced and read in the House. Now, the bill is being referred to the Judiciary committee. There are several ways to get to the committee. One is to contact the committee by email here: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/email.php?T=C&C=H2000000200 The other is to contact every member individually. Here’s the information for all members of the committee and their contact information. Just click on the name for the information:
Delleney, F. Gregory “Greg”, Jr., Chairman
Smith, James E., Jr., 1st V.C.
Murphy, Christopher J. “Chris”
Tallon, Edward R. “Eddie”, Sr.
It should be pointed out that the bill should have no problem getting through House Judiciary. The committee will take up the bill and will release a report. Most likely, the report will just be a favorable one, potentially with amendments to the bill. However, that is not known at this time. Once the committee reports on the bill, it will then be read for a second time in the House. As soon as the next day, the bill will be read a third time, and then sent to the Senate.
Here’s the list of House Representatives and their contact information. Click on the name of the Representative to access their page and email.
F. Gregory “Greg” Delleney, Jr.
Harry B. “Chip” Limehouse, III
William E. “Bill” Sandifer, III
Leonidas E. “Leon” Stavrinakis
Once the bill clears the House, the next stop is the Senate. The bill will be read and immediately referred to the Judiciary committee and the process repeats what happened in the House. Here’s your contact information for the Senate Judiciary. First, is the committee email: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/email.php?T=C&C=S2000000800 Then, the contact information for all of the committee members:
Campsen, George E. “Chip”, III
The committee will release a report, hopefully favorable, and will then be read a second and third time in the Senate. Here’s the contact information for all Senators:
You can also use this tool to see who your legislators are: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/legislatorssearch.php
If amendments are made, those will be sent back to the House and voted on. The House will then vote on the bill and ratify it. The House can also disagree with any Senate amendments, but I’ll leave that discussion of the legislative process for another day if it were to happen. Assuming everyone is in agreement though, from there, it goes to the desk of Governor Nikki Haley. Once she signs it (hopefully at one of our wonderful breweries), give it a few weeks and our breweries will be serving you pints of your favorite local beers. The entire timeline of this process could run from February until about mid-June.
Now, what should you be telling these Senators and Representatives when you write them? Well, say whatever you want, but please, be respectful. If you need a little help, here’s a template on what to write:
SUBJECT: Please Support Small Business by Passing H. 3554
Dear ____________,
As a fellow South Carolinian and one of your constituents, I urge you to VOTE FOR H. 3554. This bill will allow South Carolina breweries to be able to sell a limited amount of their own products on their premises without having to use a distributor.
Craft beer contributes millions of dollars to our state every year, and passing this bill will only help our economy by easing regulations on small business and creating incentives for entrepreneurs to get into the industry. And when you support the craft beer industry, you’re not just supporting beer. You’re supporting jobs. You’re supporting business. You’re supporting transportation. You’re supporting farms, farmers, and sustainable agriculture. But most importantly, you’re also supporting community.
This is a great bill for small business and for South Carolina. Please support this bill. Thank you.
Lastly, you can email the good people at Coast Brewing and RJ Rockers and thank them for all of their hard work in getting us to this point. That includes prior legislation! Without their dedication, this bill doesn’t happen and you don’t get to drink pints come mid-June. Please thank them and support them however you can. Also, encourage other breweries to get involved in the South Carolina Brewer’s Association.
You can contact Coast here: http://coastbrewing.com/contact_us.php
You can contact RJ Rockers here: goodbeer@rjrockers.com
BEER OF SC 
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