ICYMI — Governor Ron DeSantis Works with Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to Waive Pet Policies for Hurricane Idalia Evacuees

ICYMI — Governor Ron DeSantis Works with Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to Waive Pet Policies for Hurricane Idalia Evacuees

August 29, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis worked with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to waive their no-pet policies in preparation for Hurricane Idalia. Floridians in evacuation zones will need a safe place for themselves and their families, which includes their pets. VISIT FLORIDA has activated the Emergency Accommodations Module with Expedia to provide real-time availability of hotel rooms throughout the state.

 

“We are so happy to have the support of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association in ensuring that lodging establishments with no-pet policies are waiving those in order to help Florida families who have had to evacuate their homes due to Hurricane Idalia,” said Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “Responding to a hurricane is a group effort and we are proud to have such strong private sector partners who are committed to helping Florida families.”

 

“Our members and Florida’s hospitality industry are committed to being a safe haven for visitors and residents during Hurricane Idalia,” said President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Carol Dover. “It is imperative that hotels across Florida relax their pet policies and welcome pets along with those evacuating. This is nothing short of a lifeline for families seeking safety. Thank you to those hotels which have already done this and we strongly urge all hotels to do the same.”

 

“Too often families are forced to make the difficult decision between evacuating safely and ensuring the safety of their four-legged family members,” said Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie. “I encourage all hotels to make exceptions as Floridians around the state evacuate due to Hurricane Idalia and allow these families to bring their pets to the hotel without additional financial burdens”

 

There are no regulations in the state that prohibit any lodging establishments from waiving no-pet policies and allowing pets. In this emergency situation, it is imperative that Floridians have all options available to stay safe. 

 

Hurricane Idalia is currently set to impact Florida’s Big Bend as a Category 3 hurricane, bringing dangerous storm surge and high winds to the area. Follow @FLSERT for more updates. Visit FloridaDisaster.org/Updates for more information.

 

 

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates more than 1.6 million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida across more than 30 fields of industry. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, visit MyFloridaLicense.com

August 30, 2023 /  
ICYMI — The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Highlights Partnership with Local Law Enforcement Agencies

ICYMI — The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Highlights Partnership with Local Law Enforcement Agencies

August 23, 2023

LAKE CITY, Fla. – On Monday, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Secretary Melanie S. Griffin announced a joint effort with law enforcement designed to help keep communities safe. Joined by Representative Chuck Brannan, Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter and Lake City Chief of Police Gerald Butler, Secretary Griffin detailed the recent partnership among DBPR’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT), the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and Lake City Police Department.

 

“Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, ABT officers and our brave law enforcement agencies statewide have the resources they need to work together to keep Floridians safe,” said DBPR Secretary Melanie S. Griffin. “For 90 years, ABT has led the way when it comes to protecting Florida residents and visitors.”

 

“As a former law enforcement officer, I know firsthand the dedication, sacrifice and responsibility it takes to be successful at this job,” said Representative Chuck Brannan, who represents State House District 10. “I want to thank ABT, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lake City Police Department for their tireless efforts, and I’m proud to represent a district that supports the safety and law and order of its community.”

 

“Our partnership with ABT and the Lake City Police Department is another example of working together to keep our community safe and to hold criminals accountable,” said Columbia Sheriff Mark Hunter.

 

“I thank ABT Law Enforcement and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office for joining with us in our continuous effort to protect Floridians,” said Lake City Chief of Police Gerald Butler. “Our community relies on close partnerships like these to ensure we are doing everything possible to keep families safe.”

 

To learn more about ABT’s Bureau of Law Enforcement, visit MyFloridaLicense.com.

 

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates more than 1.6 million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida across more than 30 fields of industry. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, visit MyFloridaLicense.com.

August 23, 2023 /  
Florida DBPR Opens Entry Period for 2023 Quota Beverage License Drawing, Announces Public Drawing Date for 2022 Entry Period

Florida DBPR Opens Entry Period for 2023 Quota Beverage License Drawing, Announces Public Drawing Date for 2022 Entry Period

August 21, 2023

~ A total of 89 licenses are available in 30 Florida counties for the 2023 entry period ~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (the Division) opened the entry period for the 2023 Quota Beverage License Drawing. For the 2023 entry period, entry forms will be accepted until the filing deadline on October 4, 2023, at 5 p.m. EST.

The highly anticipated public drawing for the 2022 entry period will be conducted on Monday, September 25, 2023. For the 2022 entry period, the Division has received more than 26,000 entries for 35 licenses in 19 counties.

“Each year, our DBPR Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco proudly hosts quota beverage license drawings to give business owners the opportunity to win a license and responsibly serve alcoholic beverages to Florida’s residents and visitors,” said DBPR Secretary Melanie S. Griffin. “In addition to supporting Florida’s businesses, these licenses raise critical funding for statewide alcohol and drug abuse education, treatment and prevention programs, helping struggling Floridians find the strength they need to get back on their feet.”

The 2023 drawing entry period includes 89 new quota beverage licenses available for issuance in 30 counties, including Alachua, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Clay, Collier, Dade, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Leon, Manatee, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Polk, Santa Rose, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Volusia, Wakulla and Walton.

The 2023 entry period closes at 5 p.m. on October 4, 2023. The Division will process qualifying entries and announce the winners during a public drawing at a later date. Entrants selected from the drawing will be awarded the right to apply to hold one of the available licenses in the county from which their entry was selected.

Entrants can apply using DBPR’s online portal to pay by credit card. To enter and pay by check or money order, applications and payment can be mailed, or hand-delivered to the following address:

DBPR Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco
Attn: Quota Beverage License Drawing
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399

Hughes Act fees collected from entities issued a new quota liquor license will be sent to the Florida Department of Children and Families for alcohol and drug abuse education, treatment and prevention programs.

For more information about the Quota Beverage License Drawing entry process, interested entrants are encouraged to contact a local Division of Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco District Office or visit MyFloridaLicense.com.

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates more than 1.6 million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida across more than 30 fields of industry. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, visit MyFloridaLicense.com. Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter and Facebook, @Florida.DBPR on Instagram and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on LinkedIn for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.

August 21, 2023 /  
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Conducts Sting Operation in Manatee County

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Conducts Sting Operation in Manatee County

August 18, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Last week, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) participated in a coordinated law enforcement operation to combat unlicensed activity alongside the Florida Department of Financial Services’ Division of Investigative and Forensic Services and Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

“Unlicensed contractors have plagued our state, driving up insurance rates for every policyholder and preying on homeowners in their most vulnerable times,” CFO Jimmy Patronis said. “Floridians must always stay on guard for signs of fraud, especially following storms. Make sure you’re working with a reputable, licensed contractor before signing anything and never feel pressured by a slick sales pitch. Thank you to DBPR and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance on this successful sting operation to crack down on unlicensed activity and hold bad actors accountable.”

“Operations such as these are critical because they allow DBPR to remain proactive by catching unlicensed contractors before they have the opportunity to harm a consumer, damage their home or business, and potentially steal thousands of dollars from hardworking Floridians,” said DBPR Secretary Melanie S. Griffin. “Protecting consumers from unlicensed criminals is one of DBPR’s main priorities.”

“We hope that these sting operations will educate both vulnerable customers and unlicensed contractors that laws are in place for everyone’s benefit,” said Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells. “We want our community to know they are getting quality workmanship and that their Sheriff’s Office continues to guard against potential fraud.”

From August 9-10, 2023, the DBPR Division of Regulation conducted a coordinated sting in Manatee County, targeting unlicensed contractors who were working without the required licenses and insurance. The sting operation, which is typically conducted at a single location where DBPR, in partnership with law enforcement, contacts individuals who have advertised their unlicensed services to come do work at a set location, was performed by DBPR’s Tampa regional field office and resulted in a total of 15 arrests and 28 citations.

DBPR licenses and regulates more than 1.6 million Florida businesses and professionals, from real estate agents and veterinarians to contractors and cosmetologists. DBPR regularly performs enforcement operations or “stings” to proactively seek unlicensed activity in order to protect the public from harm, and “sweeps” of regulated businesses and professionals to ensure they are working within the constraints of their licenses.

If residents suspect they or their neighbors may be a victim of an unlicensed activity scam, report it to DBPR by calling the Unlicensed Activity Hotline at (866) 532-1440, emailing ULA@MyFloridaLicense.com or filing a complaint at MyFloridaLicense.com.

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates more than 1.6 million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida across more than 30 fields of industry. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, visit MyFloridaLicense.com. Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter and Facebook, @Florida.DBPR on Instagram and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on LinkedIn for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.

August 18, 2023 /  
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Participates in National Effort to Fight Unlicensed Activity, Warns Floridians of Unlicensed Contracting Scams

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Participates in National Effort to Fight Unlicensed Activity, Warns Floridians of Unlicensed Contracting Scams

June 29, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Last week, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) concluded a nationally-coordinated enforcement effort alongside 11 National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) members to fight unlicensed activity.

“Keeping Floridians safe from unlicensed, unregulated activity is one of DBPR’s biggest priorities,” said DBPR Secretary Melanie S. Griffin. “The DBPR Division of Regulation is proud to partner with NASCLA to promote public protection while deterring illegal construction activity.”

From June 5-23, 2023, the DBPR Division of Regulation conducted a coordinated statewide sweep, targeting unlicensed construction and electrical contractors scamming Floridians out of their hard-earned money. The sweeps were performed by Fort Myers, Miami, Margate, West Palm Beach, Tallahassee, Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville regional field offices and resulted in a total of 416 unannounced site visits with more than 650 license checks of construction and electrical contractors.

Additionally, the DBPR Division of Regulation’s Tampa field office performed stings where individuals were provided the opportunity to offer services that require a license. These individuals often provide a bid, proposal or performance of the service to an undercover investigator and/or law enforcement personnel. Once confirmed that the individuals are unlicensed to provide such services, cases are initiated against them.

As a result of all sweeps and enforcement operations, 97 unlicensed activity cases were initiated.

DBPR licenses and regulates more than 1.6 million Florida businesses and professionals, from real estate agents and veterinarians, to contractors and cosmetologists. DBPR regularly performs “sweeps” of regulated businesses and professionals to ensure they are working within the constraints of their licenses.

If residents suspect they or their neighbors may be a victim of an unlicensed activity scam, report it to DBPR by calling the Unlicensed Activity Hotline at (866) 532-1440, emailing ULA@MyFloridaLicense.com or filing a complaint at MyFloridaLicense.com.

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates more than 1.6 million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida across more than 30 fields of industry. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, visit MyFloridaLicense.com. Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter and Facebook, @Florida.DBPR on Instagram and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on LinkedIn for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.

June 29, 2023 /