TALLAHASSEE, FL — During the Covid –19 pandemic, several bars and restaurants suffered due to not serving their usual crowds but that all change when Re-presentative Josie Tomkow District 39 (Rep.) who represents Osceola and Polk counties took the bill into her own hands sponsoring House Bill 329.
The bill will allow certain restaurants to sell and deliver alcoholic beverages in sealed containers if they are ordered with food. The bill’s effective date would be July 1, 2021. The “certain restaurants” that are permitted under the bill are those with “special restaurant license” (SRX licenses) which applies to restaurant with 2,500 sq ft, that can hold 151 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.
The bill was presented in December 2020 and in February it passed two committees with one more to go. At first the bill called for only beer and wine, which raised concerns of other house members and the public. In April it passed in the House and Senate.
Landus Anderson, a Florida State Law Student, is one of those concerned citizens.
“I have lost many of my friends to drunk driving and driving while drunk. I believe there will be several more charges and more DUIs if this bill is passed,” Anderson said. “I agree with allowing de-livery of beverages because they do a good job of sealing our food but allowing people to take it to-go I’m not for.”
Representative Scott Plakon, District 29, who represents part of Seminole, recently stated his concerns in a committee meeting. He thinks beer and wine is a good idea; however, he thinks that liquor is a bad idea.
Rep.Tomkow did say that she would work on the language of the bill. Since the bill was heard last year, it is important that it is adopted this year.
Many lobbying firms are excited over this bill, especially those firms that are representing delivery companies. The food delivery companies such as Uber Eats, Grub Hub, Post Mates etc., would profit from this bill.
Selina Nevin, the Legal Policy and Research Assistant at Pittman law group who represents Uber Eats.
“Uber Eats will benefit because they would definitely make more money with the sale of alcohol and not just food,” Nevin said. “I’m sure if the bill is passed the restaurants will take certain safety precautions they need to take before it is put in place.”
Local restaurants are happy that the bill would ensure them the money they once lost during the pandemic. Cancun’s Mexican Sports Bar and Grill waitress Ella Stone, thinks this a great idea and the restaurant is prepared.
“I think it’s a great idea, I see several people come in here and feel uncomfortable with how many people are around,” Stone said. “We already have lids for our alcoholic beverages so it would be no different from just taking a juice or soda to go.”
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