The bill seeks to amend Florida's Beverage Law to enhance the operational framework for craft breweries and streamline regulations affecting their operations. It introduces definitions for "barrel" and "craft brewery," allowing craft breweries to sell and deliver up to 5,000 barrels of malt beverages annually to licensed vendors, provided they register the beverages and comply with specific requirements. The legislation also revises licensing requirements, eliminating the surety bond requirement for manufacturers and reducing the annual state license tax for those producing fewer than 60,000 barrels. Additionally, it establishes new regulations for distribution agreements, mandating written contracts and outlining the rights and responsibilities of both craft breweries and distributors.

Moreover, the bill addresses the termination of distribution agreements, specifying circumstances under which a craft brewery can terminate such agreements and requiring arbitration for disputes regarding fair market value. It also introduces provisions for contract brewing, allowing contract brewers to transfer malt beverages to contracting brewers while ensuring compliance with federal and state laws. The bill further clarifies regulations surrounding the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, including new licensing frameworks for caterers and special airport licenses for restaurants. Overall, the legislation aims to support the growth of craft breweries while maintaining necessary regulatory oversight, with an effective date set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1818 Filed: 561.37, 563.02, 563.022, 212.08, 561.4205, 562.14, 768.36, 817.36, 856.015, 1006.09