2022 Annual Meeting

Legislative

Resale Certificates. The omnibus Department of Revenue bill sponsored by Rep. Cyndi Stevenson (R-St. Augustine) and Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) included a provision seeking better resale certificate compliance. FBWA, along with BIF and WSDF worked on amendment language which was included in the final bill. The bill has passed but has not yet been sent to the Governor. It was discussed in the Revenue Estimating Conference on June 3^rd, where the NFIB spoke in opposition to the legislation. They have also asked the Governor to veto the bill. FBWA has been in contact with the Governor’s office about our support of the resale certificate language, but have not taken a position on the bill as a whole.

Brew Pub Self Distribution. A bill filed only in the House by Rep. Nick DiCeglie (R-Largo) would have authorized small brewers to have limited ability to self-distribute. The bill also would have changed the tax structure on malt beverages, costing the state more than $50M annually. No senate companion was ever filed. Less nefarious portions of the bill were added to the DBPR package which died in messages.

Small Distilleries Self-Distribution. A bill was filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) that authorizes self-distribution for small distilleries. The bill died in its first committee stop after never being put on the agenda.

Alcohol Purchases by Veteran’s Organizations. The bill, filed by Rep.Toby Overdorf (R-Stuart) and Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota), would have authorized veteran organizations to purchase from other vendors. The FBWA worked with stakeholders and sponsors to have malt beverages removed, however, the bill was never heard in committee and died.

Large Format Wine Container Sizes. A bill was filed Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) and Rep. Chip LaMarca (R-Lighthouse Point) to deregulate large format bottles and boxes. It died in committee.

SRX Lower Seating Requirements. The FRLA continues to seek to lower the seating requirements for receiving a special food service establishment license. The bill was filed by Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Orange Park) and Rep. Josie Tomkow (R-Auburndale). It passed 1 committee in House and was never heard in the Senate.

In-store Servicing of Spirits. Rep. Toby Overdorf (R-Stuart) and Sen. Travis Hutson (R-Palm Coast) withdrew their bills prior to introduction.

Tied House Evil. Rep. Anthony Sabitini (R-Clermont) filed legislation to repeal tied house evil in its entirety. There was no Senate companion, and the bill never received a hearing.

Regulatory

Covid Beer. The cases settled in a favorable manner before the DABT responded to the complaints. The cases were then voluntarily dismissed.

Blue Cloud of Florida. Blue Cloud of Florida has begun their distribution of Hard Mountain Dew in Florida. The FBWA officially submitted a formal complaint that Blue Cloud of Florida was in violation of the three-tier system based on Pepsi being both a manufacturer and distributor of Hard Mountain Dew. Additionally, Blue Cloud of Florida is in violation of state law by having no exclusive territory agreements in place. The complaint letter has been received by the Division; however, no action has been taken at this time.

Ready to Drink Products. In November, the DABT issued an informational bulletin (Informational Bulletin 2021-003) related to in-store servicing of RTDs. Liquor-based RTDs that fall within the definition of liquor, are not eligible for in-store servicing by distributors.

Jared Ross – 850-322-6956 or [email protected]

Jordan Wheeler – 772-332-6137 or [email protected]

Hotel Front Desk – 772-334-1950