Concerning the indemnification of commercial servers of liquor.

HB 1977 shifts legal liability for civil lawsuits involving servers who sell liquor to visibly intoxicated patrons from the servers themselves to the licensed retail establishments (like bars or restaurants). The bill requires retailers to cover all defense costs and any monetary judgments against servers in such cases, and prohibits judgments from becoming liens on servers' personal property. Servers remain personally liable for fines related to violations of liquor laws, and the bill does not affect the retailer's own liability for damages. This directly impacts servers working at licensed alcohol-serving establishments and the retailers who employ them.