This week, members headed to Tallahassee to voice concern over the use of Tourist Development Tax dollars to support activities outside the scope of marketing. Plus, we heard several proposed bills that could directly impact our industry.
Click here to watch FRLA Chairman Lino Maldonado deliver the latest Capital Update.
Government Affairs
Bills We Are Tracking: Week Three
Tourist Development Tax (TDT)
A bill that allows the use of up to 10% of TDT revenue for public safety services in coastal counties with at least three municipalities and an estimated population of less than 225,000, SB 1203, sponsored by Rep. Brad Drake, (R – Eucheeanna) was voted favorably by the Economic Development & Tourism Subcommittee on Monday. It is now headed to the House Finance & Tax Committee. Its companion bill in the Senate, SB 1520, sponsored by Sen. Don Gaetz, (R – Destin) has been referred to three committees.
On Wednesday, the Finance & Tax Committee, chaired by Rep. Matt Gaetz, (R – Shalimar) discussed the use of tourist development tax dollars. Lino Maldonado (FRLA Chairman), Bruce Craul (2012 FRLA Chairman), Captain Gary Jarvis, and Sherry Edwards testified in Tallahassee opposing changes in the use of tourist development tax dollars.
Relating to Labor Regulations
A bill that would require all state or local government agencies and all private employers to provide employees 1 hour of sick and safe leave per every 30 hours worked, SB 294, sponsored by Sen. Geraldine Thompson, (D – Orlando) was voted unfavorably by the Commerce and Tourism Committee on Monday.
Alcoholic Beverages
A bill that permits distributors that are licensed to sell wine or distilled spirits to purchase from a licensed vendor and permits licensed vendors to sell alcoholic beverages to distributors for further distribution to other vendors, HB 623, sponsored by Rep. John Tobia, (R – Melbourne), was voted favorably by the House Business & Professions Subcommittee on Tuesday.
A bill that permits the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco to issue a temporary permit authorizing a municipality or county to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises of an event only, for a period not to exceed three days and permits the Division to issue a vendor’s license to operators of railroad transit stations, HB 645, sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Peters, (R – St. Petersburg) was voted favorably by the Business & Professions Subcommittee on Tuesday.
Polystyrene Products
An amendment that preempts to the state the regulation of polystyrene products by entities regulated under chapter 500 was added to HB 7007, sponsored by Rep. Jake Raburn, (R – Valrico). HB 7007 was passed favorable by its final committee on Thursday, January 28.
For a full list of bills we are tracking, please click here.