HB 853-Relating to Beer or Malt Beverages
On Tuesday, March 28th, HB 853, by Representative Tom Goodson (R-Merritt Island) was heard by the House Careers and Competitions Subcommittee and passed by a vote of 10 yeas to 4 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this bill.

Currently, vendors must purchase glassware from distributors for use in their establishments.

This bill allows for beer distributors to provide beer or malt beverage branded glassware to vendors for their use, cutting down on the vendors over all costs.

HB 853 will now go on to the House Commerce Committee.

AIF SUPPORTS legislation that will reduce costs on Florida’s businesses by allowing distributors to provide vendors, at no cost, glassware to use in their establishments.  

HB 333-Relating to Rural Economic Development Initiative 
On Tuesday, March 28th, HB 333, by Representative Chuck Clemons (R- Jonesville), was heard by the House Agriculture & Property Rights Subcommittee and unanimously passed by a vote of 12 yeas to 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this bill.

Currently, Florida’s rural communities are experiencing additional challenges compared to their urban counterparts in many quality of life indicators. The state has an opportunity to improve the economic competitiveness of Florida’s rural communities by reforming the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI).  This legislation accomplishes this by:

• Focusing the mission of REDI on challenges rural communities face in the areas of workforce development and education, infrastructure, and access to healthcare;
• Streamlining REDI membership to ensure decision makers are at the table; and
• Making REDI a real tool for rural communities as they navigate through the red tape of state government.

HB 333 will move on to the House Transportation & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee for its next hearing.

AIF SUPPORTS efforts to increase economic development in Florida’s rural areas by increasing job growth.