R Street welcomes bill to liberalize Florida liquor laws
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Feb. 18, 2015) – The R Street Institute welcomed today’s vote by the Florida House Business and Professions Subcommittee passing H.B. 107, also known as the “Growler Bill.”
Among other provisions, the bill repeals state law requiring spirits be sold only in liquor stores, paving the way for retailers that already sell beer and wine to enter the market for hard liquor. Supermarkets, convenience stores and big box stores already have strong consumer protections in place to prevent minors from accessing alcohol, and often outperforming traditional liquor stores in theft prevention and age screening.
“By removing outdated and onerous regulations, this bill promotes greater competition and consumer choice,” said R Street Florida Director Christian Camara. “There is no reason why stores that already safely and legally sell beer and wine should be forced essentially to build another store to sell other types of alcohol.”
The bill also allows liquor stores to sell other goods, which is a boon to small businesses that would like to expand their offerings.
“These market-freeing reforms are long overdue, and we urge the Florida House to act decisively to pass the bill,” said Camara.
