Court Opinion

ID: 9621869
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 06:08:19.759445+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:05:10.602985
License: Public Domain

PIEPER, J.,
dissenting.
I would affirm the decision of the ALC. “Bona fide guests” are defined by Reg. 7-401.4(K) as “those who accompany a member onto the premises or for whom the member has made prior arrangements with the management of the organization.” The Blue Moon Sports Bar complied with this regulation by allowing guests to call a phone number and speak to a member of management, who was also a member of the Blue Moon Sports Bar, prior to gaining entry into its establishment. *474According to Section 61-2-60 of the South Carolina Code (2009), both the Department of Revenue and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division have the authority to promulgate such regulations to carry out or implement any designated duties in regard to the issuance of alcohol and liquor licenses. Although courts will typically defer to an agency’s interpretation of its regulations, the court will reject such an interpretation where it is contrary to the statute or regulation. Comm’rs of Pub. Works v. S.C. Dep’t of Health & Envtl. Control, 372 S.C. 351, 359, 641 S.E.2d 763, 767 (Ct.App.2007). The Department promulgated a regulation and this business acted in accordance with that regulation, according to its plain and ordinary meaning. The Department’s definition of “bona fide guest” is contrary to the definition plainly listed within the regulations. See id. (“[Wjhere the terms of the statute are clear, the court must apply those terms according to their literal meaning, without resort to subtle or forced construction to limit or expand the statute’s operation.”). If the Department of Revenue has an issue with how the regulation itself defines “bona fide guest,” then it may promulgate a new regulation as appropriate upon proper notice to the public. Until then, other businesses which follow the unambiguous language of the regulation should not be punished as a result. Thus, I respectfully dissent.