SB 600-Relating to Rural Economic Development Initiative 
On Monday, April 17th, SB 600, by Senator Denise Grimsley (R-Lake Placid) was heard by Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability and passed by a vote of 6 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.

SB 600 will now go to the Senate Committee on Rules to be heard.

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

HB 853-Relating to Beer or Malt Beverages
On Wednesday, April 19th, HB 843, by Representative Tom Goodson (R-Merritt Island), was heard by the House Commerce Committee and passed by a vote of 19 yeas to 9 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 floor to be heard.

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.