Action Required to Address Liquor Liability Insurance Concerns

A bill has been introduced to address the issue of why it is so costly, or not possible, for licensees to obtain liquor liability insurance in Vermont. With the help of the House Speaker, this issue has received timely attention. The Vermont Chamber and VTIR will be advocating for legislation that updates state dram shop laws to be in line with neighboring control states. Specifically, by amending the statute so that liability is established on negligence and landlords are removed from the chain of liability in the unlawful sale of alcoholic beverages. Vermont ranks with Alabama as the two worst states for liquor liability insurance.  

Currently, Vermont is an outlier because liability is established on a strict basis and includes the server, owner, and landlord. H.288 proposes to amend the statutes on liability for the sale of alcoholic beverages to reduce the scope of liability and limit the persons who may be subject to an action for damages that result from an unlawful sale of alcoholic beverages. These changes would ensure Vermont businesses do not have to pay exorbitant rates, or, become uninsurable. Initial testimony on this issue was taken by the House Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee.