March 16, 2018
By: John J. Harris, Government Consultant, Nationwide Alcohol Industry Team

The Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco typically does not have a legislative package proposing new or amended state policies for our Legislature and Governor’s approval. 2017 was an exception. The Division, after studying temporary license fee receipts for transfer, change of location, and change of license series or type of license, concluded that the $100.00 temporary fee should be eliminated in section 561.331, FL Stat. This adjustment was proposed as a 2017 Department of Business & Professional Regulation bill for the Florida Legislature to consider.

After many legislative public committee meetings, the bill eliminating this fee/tax passed both the Florida Senate and House of Representatives. The bill eliminating temporary license fees for transfer, change of location, and change of license series or type of license, was approved by Governor Scott and became law last year on July 1, 2017.

This removal of payment to the state and savings on tax for alcohol license applicants was a win/win for the industry and Florida government. For more information, please contact GrayRobinson’s Nationwide Alcohol Industry Team at 866-382-5132 or via e-mail at [email protected].