A Bixby venue owner believes a senate bill created with good intentions could devastate Oklahoma's locally-owned wedding businesses.
"We're a really pretty building with a really great view," said Sarah Coffin, who owns Dream Point Ranch.
The venue is one of the thousands contributing to what Coffin said is a nearly $200 million Oklahoma wedding industry.
SB 1057, which has moved to the House, would create more accountability when alcohol is served at event venues.
State Senator Paul Rosino authored the bill, known as the Marissa Murrow Act, named for a University of Central Oklahoma student killed by a driver who has been drinking at a wedding venue. Rosino said the driver was a "four-time drunk driver."
The bill stated that caterers could not sell or distribute alcohol unless the venue holds an event venue license from the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission.
"We're just trying to make sure that these receptions are safe and all of the venues are responsible with how they conduct the business," Rosino said in a recording attached to a press release.
NewsChannel 8 requested an interview with Rosino, but he has not responded at this time.
Coffin said the bill has good intentions, but said it "would devastate the entire industry."
"Venue owners actually have no authority over the catering companies, but we would have the liability of the actions of their employees and of the companies themselves, so it's slanted," she said.
Coffin said it could also hurt clients who would be forced to find a new venue.
"It's a waterfall effect of this bill, and it wouldn't just affect solely event venues, it would affect every vendor in the industry, and the potential loss for this is astronomical," she said.
Coffin said she and other wedding professionals are planning a trip to meet with lawmakers about the bill.