HB 423-Relating to Beverage Law
On Tuesday, March 28th, HB 423, by Representative Mike La Rosa (R-Saint Cloud), was heard before the House Careers and Competition Subcommittee and passed by a vote of 9 yeas and 6 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this bill.

The bill exempts financial transactions between a vendor and a manufacturer from all tied evil house prohibitions if the following conditions are met:

• The financial transaction must be negotiated at arm’s length for fair market value between a manufacturer of beer or malt beverages, and
• The financial transaction cannot involve, either all or in part, the direct sale or distribution of beer or malt beverages between the manufacturer and the licensed vendor.

HB 423 will go to the House Government Operations & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee for its next hearing.

AIF SUPPORTS legislation that removes burdensome regulations on Florida’s businesses.

 

HB 727-Relating to Accessibility of Places of Public Accommodation
On Tuesday, March 28th, HB 727, by Representative Tom Leek (R-Daytona Beach), was heard by the House Careers and Competition Subcommittee and passed unanimously by a vote of 14 yeas to 0 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this bill.

The United States Congress enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990 prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, state and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. One of the goals of the ADA is to guarantee that individuals with disabilities are offered full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations offered by a place of public accommodation.

The bill:

• Creates a license type for ADA experts;
• Requires the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to establish licensing requirements and regulation for ADA experts;  
• Allows ADA experts to determine if the businesses are compliant with the ADA;  
• Allows businesses to hire ADA experts and file ADA expert reports with DBPR;
• Allows businesses to file remediation plans with DBPR if they are not in compliance with the ADA;
• Requires DBPR to establish a public website with a registry of remediation plans and certifications of conformity; and
• Requires courts to consider remediation plans to determine if a plaintiff filed a claim in good faith and whether the plaintiff is entitled to attorney’s fees in lawsuits involving alleged violations of the ADA.

HB 727 will go on to the House Government Operations & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee for its next hearing.

AIF SUPPORTS legislation that makes filing frivolous lawsuits against Florida’s businesses more difficult to accomplish.

 

HB 1027- Relating to Unmanned Aircraft
On Tuesday, March 28th, HB 1027, by Representative Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville,) was heard by the House Careers and Competition Subcommittee and unanimously passed by a vote of 14 yeas to 0 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this bill.

This bill will ensure a consistent framework for the use of drones. As the use of drones becomes increasingly more common in many different sectors of the business community throughout the state, implementing statewide regulations will establish safeguards while operating drones.

HB 1027 will go to the House Government Accountability Committee for its next hearing.

AIF SUPPORTS legislation that will streamline business regulation throughout the state.

 

HB 1175-Relating to Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and Dealers
On Tuesday, March 28th, HB 1175, by Representative Manny Diaz (R-Hialeah Gardens), was heard before the House Careers and Competition Subcommittee and passed by a vote of 9 yeas to 6 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, spoke in opposition to this bill.

The bill provides additional grounds to deny, suspend, or revoke a license held by a motor vehicle manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, or importer (“manufacturer”) within their contractual agreement. The bill prohibits manufacturers from taking certain actions against motor vehicle dealers and requires certain procedures be followed by the manufacturer when dealing with motor vehicle dealers.

HB 1175 will go on to the House Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee for its next hearing.

AIF OPPOSES legislation that would intervene in any contractual agreement between a dealer franchise and an auto manufacturer, voluntarily entered by each party, and dictate new terms and conditions of such mutual agreement that favor one party over the other.