HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES LOCAL BILL STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: HB 741 Town of Hillsboro Beach, Broward County
SPONSOR(S): LaMarca
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS:
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special 16 Y, 0 N Burgess Darden
Districts Subcommittee
2) Regulatory Reform & Economic Development 15 Y, 0 N Phelps Anstead
Subcommittee
3) State Affairs Committee 19 Y, 0 N Burgess Williamson
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
Florida’s Beverage Law limits the number of “quota licenses” that the Department of Business and Professional
Regulation (DBPR) may issue per county. A quota license allows a business to serve any alcoholic beverage
regardless of alcoholic content, including liquor. DBPR is not limited by the Beverage Law on the number of
licenses it may issue for businesses that serve only malt beverages and wine.
The bill creates an exception to ch. 561, F.S., permitting DBPR to issue a special alcoholic beverage license to
any residential condominium in the Town of Hillsboro Beach, Broward County that meets the following
requirements:
Has no fewer than 50 condominium units in a single building or multiple buildings under the control and
operation of the same association of condominium owners;
Is owned by or rented to non-transients; and
Is licensed as a food service establishment under ch. 381, F.S., or ch. 509, F.S.
The bill provides that the special alcoholic beverage license may only be issued to the entity managing the
food and beverage operations of the condominium. The bill limits sales under the license to residents or guests
of the condominium for on-premises consumption during the hours where food is sold.
The bill provides that DBPR has the authority to regulate and supervise residential condominiums for which
special alcoholic beverage licenses have been issued. The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco
within DBPR may revoke or suspend any license for violations of the beverage laws and rules and regulations
of this state.
According to House Rule 5.5(b), a local bill providing an exemption from general law may not be placed
on the Special Order Calendar for expedited consideration. Since this bill creates an exemption to
general law, the provisions of House Rule 5.5(b) apply.
This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives .
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DATE: 2/7/2024
FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Present Situation
The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (Division) within the Department of Business and
Professional Regulation (DBPR) is responsible for regulating the conduct, management, and operation
of the manufacturing, packaging, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages within the state.1
Chapters 561-565 and 567-568, F.S., comprise Florida’s Beverage Law.
Under the Beverage Law, DBPR is not limited on the number of licenses it issues to businesses selling
malt beverages or wine. However, statute limits the number of licenses that may be issued under s.
565.02(1)(a)-(f), F.S., to one license per 7,500 residents per county with a minimum of three licenses
per county that has approved the sale of intoxicating liquors. 2 This license, often referred to as a “quota
license,” allows a business to sell any alcoholic beverage regardless of alcoholic content, including
liquor or distilled spirits.3
There are several exceptions to the quota license limitation, 4 and businesses that meet the
requirements set out in one of the exceptions may be issued a special license by DBPR allowing the
business to serve any alcoholic beverages regardless of alcohol content. A food service establishment
may qualify for an exemption if the building has at least 2,500 square feet of service area, is equipped
to serve meals to 150 persons at one time, and derives at least 51 percent of its gross food and
beverage revenue from the sale of food and nonalcoholic beverages during the first 120-day operating
period and the first 12-month operating period thereafter.5
Alcoholic beverages sold for consumption on premises must be consumed inside the licensed
premises.6 DBPR may approve a temporary expansion of the licensed premises to include a sidewalk
or other outdoor area for special events.7 The business must pay an application fee of $100, stipulate
the timeframe for the special event, submit a sketch outlining the expanded premises, and submit
written approval from the county or municipality.
Effect of Proposed Changes
The bill creates an exception to ch. 561, F.S., permitting DBPR to issue a special alcoholic beverage
license to any residential condominium in the Town of Hillsboro Beach, Broward County, that meets the
following requirements:
Has no fewer than 50 condominium units in a single building or multiple buildings under the
control and operation of the same association of condominium owners;
Is owned by or rented to non-transients;8 and
Is licensed as a food service establishment under ch. 381, F.S., or ch. 509, F.S.
The bill provides that the special alcoholic beverage license may only be issued to the person,
company, or corporation that manages the food and beverage operations of the condominium, is limited
to the provision of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises only to residents and their
1 S. 561.02, F.S.
2 S. 561.20(1), F.S.
3 S. 565.02, F.S.
4
S. 561.20(2), F.S.
5 S. 561.20(2)(a)4., F.S. See Rule 61A-3.0141, F.A.C.
6 See s. 561.01(11), F.S. (defining “licensed premises” and requiring written approval from the county or municipality to include a
sidewalk or any other outside area as part of the licensed premise).
7 S. 561.01(11), F.S.
8
Nontransient occupancy means “any public lodging establishment that is rented or leased to guests by an operator whose intent ion is
that the dwelling unit occupied will be the sole residence of the guest.” S. 509.013(14), F.S. “Nontra nsients” are guests in nontransient
occupancy. S. 509.013(16), F.S. Essentially, nontransients are tenants.
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nonresident guests, and does not authorize the condominium to sell alcoholic beverages by the
package for off-premises consumption or to sell alcoholic beverages after the hours of serving or
consumption of food have elapsed.
The bill provides that DBPR has the authority to regulate and supervise residential condominiums for
which special alcoholic beverage licenses have been issued. The division may revoke or suspend any
license for violations of the beverage laws and rules and regulations of this state.
B. SECTION DIRECTORY:
Section 1: Creates an exception to general law to a residential condominium in the Town of
Hillsboro Beach, Broward County.
Section 2: Provides an effective date of upon becoming a law.
II. NOTICE/REFERENDUM AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
A. NOTICE PUBLISHED? Yes [X] No []
IF YES, WHEN? November 5, 2023
WHERE? The Sun-Sentinel, a daily newspaper of general circulation published in Broward,
Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade County.
B. REFERENDUM(S) REQUIRED? Yes [] No [X]
IF YES, WHEN?
C. LOCAL BILL CERTIFICATION FILED? Yes [X] No []
D. ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT FILED? Yes [X] No []
III. COMMENTS
A. CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES:
None.
B. RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY:
The bill does not provide rulemaking authority or require executive branch rulemaking.
C. DRAFTING ISSUES OR OTHER COMMENTS:
According to House Rule 5.5(b), a local bill providing an exemption from general law may not be placed
on the Special Order Calendar for expedited consideration. Since this bill creates an exemption to
general law, the provisions of House Rule 5.5(b) apply.
IV. AMENDMENTS/COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE CHANGES
None.
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DATE: 2/7/2024