Allen Douglas, Director
Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: 850.487.1395
Fax: 850.922.5175
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Division of Alcoholic beverages and tobacco
Qouta Period Closed for Madison County
MADISON COUNTY IS OFFICIALLY NO LONGER A "DRY COUNTY"Quota Application
Period for Madison County
ABT 2012 Quota Period Ended
AB&T 2012 Quota Application Period is now Open
AB&T Quota Liquor License Winner for Suwannee County
AB&T 2011 Quota Liquor License Winners
Suwannee County no longer a "Dry County"
Madison County Has Voted to End "Dry County" Status
Reduced Cigarette Ignition Propensity Standard and Firefighter Protection Act (RCIP)
Surcharge on Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Product
Tailgaters Urging Responsibility and Fun (TURF)
QUOTA APPLICATION PERIOD
FOR
MADISON COUNTY IS NOW CLOSED
Effective 5:01 PM February 20, 2013.
QUOTA APPLICATION PERIOD
FOR
MADISON COUNTY IS NOW OPEN
The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, announces it will be accepting Quota License Drawing Entry Forms for 45 days beginning January 7, 2013 and continuing through 5:00 p.m. February 20, 2013, for inclusion in the drawing for three (3) new quota liquor licenses to be issued in MADISON COUNTY.
DBPR ABT-6033S which can be found on the Division’s website is the only application that will be accepted for filing into this drawing. All other application forms from prior drawings will be denied. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Division's district office serving their area of interest, by visiting the Division’s Internet website at www.myflorida.com/dbpr/abt or by calling: (850) 488-8284.
MADISON COUNTY IS OFFICIALLY NO LONGER A "DRY COUNTY"
On December 19, 2012, the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Madison County certified that no challenges to the county’s election to permit the sale of intoxicating liquors had been received within the prescribed time period. As a result, Madison County is no longer “dry” and all alcoholic beverage licenses will be issued according to general law. Any restrictions printed on the 1APS, 1COP, 2APS, and 2COP series licenses presently issued to licensees in Madison County are no longer valid.
Please note: Series 1APS and 1COP licenses authorize the sale of malt beverages only. Series 2APS and 2COP licenses authorize the sale of malt and vinous beverages only. Licensees holding 2APS and 2COP type licenses may now sell any malt or vinous beverages permitted to be sold in Florida without any additional licensure requirements. Spirituous alcoholic beverages may only be sold by a licensee holding a specialty license such as those issued for restaurants, hotels, golf courses, etc., and which meet specific qualifications.
Click here to view a list of the types of licenses available and the corresponding qualifications.
You may obtain the application and instructions to apply for a specialty liquor license in PDF or Word format.
Once you have completed your application, it may be submitted to any Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco district office. Appointments are strongly suggested. Click here to find the district office addresses and other pertinent information.
Based on its population, Madison County is entitled to three new quota liquor licenses. Persons considered for issuance of these licenses are selected through a double random drawing held pursuant to Section 561.19, Florida Statutes.
The application instructions for filing, and the dates regarding the 45-day application period will be announced in early January, 2013. The actual drawing to select the persons who are entitled to apply for these licenses will occur after all applications received have been reviewed and each application to be included in the drawing is determined to be eligible.
2012 QUOTA APPLICATION
PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED
Effective 5:01 P.M. October 3, 2012 .
2012 QUOTA APPLICATION PERIOD IS NOW OPEN
The division will accept Quota License Drawing Entry Forms for 45 days beginning the third Monday in August. This year entry forms will be accepted from August 20, 2012 until 5:00 p.m. on October 3, 2012. The division must receive all entry forms before this deadline. No exceptions. Mail the completed entry form, including payment (check or money order made payable to the division), to: DIVISION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO, Attention: Quota License Drawing, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1021.
If your entry form is incomplete, you will receive a deficiency letter and will have fourteen (14) days from the date we mail the deficiency letter to correct your entry form. The division must receive your corrected entry form prior to the fourteen (14) day deadline or your entry form will be denied. We are unable to accept electronically file entry forms. Since original signatures and the $100.00 fee are required, the entry form must be mailed to the address referenced above.
All interested persons should make inquiry by contacting their local Bureau of Licensing of the Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco or Bureau of Licensing, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1021.
AB&T QUOTA LIQUOR LICENSE WINNERS FOR SUWANNEE COUNTY
The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, Department of Business and Professional Regulation announces the Winners of the Quota Liquor License Drawings for Suwannee County the application period, which began December 27, 2011 and closed on February 9, 2012.
Winners List
AB&T 2011 QUOTA LIQUOR LICENSE WINNERS
The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, Department of Business and Professional Regulation announces the Winners of the Quota Liquor License Drawings for the application period, which began August 15, 2011 and closed on September 28, 2011.
Winners List
PROM AND GRADUATION
The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco would like to remind everyone that High School Prom and Graduation time is here again. Please see the letter from Director Douglas regarding the increased enforcement effort and the request for our licensee’s increased efforts as well to prevent the sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products to our underage youth.
RULE WORKSHOPS
The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco will be holding a Rule Workshop for proposed changes to Rule 61A-5.010: Completed Application. The workshop will be on January 11, 2012 beginning at 8:00 am at the DBPR Professions Board Room, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL. The department anticipates that an additional workshop will be held on this rule.
The full Notice of Meeting/Workshop as posted in the December 2, 2011 FAW is available at: Notice of Meeting/Workshop
A copy of the proposed rule and a copy of the agenda can be found at:
Proposed Rule: 61A-5.010 Proposed Language
The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco will be holding a Rule Workshop for proposed changes to Rules 61A-3.03051 Pool Buying Procedures and 61A-4.05011 Cooperative or Pool Buying – Definition; Creation; Record Keeping; Restrictions Rule. The workshop will be on January 12, 2012 beginning at 8:00 am at the DBPR Professions Board Room, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL.
The full Notice of Meeting/Workshop as posted in the December 16, 2011 FAW is available at:
A copy of the proposed rules and a copy of the agenda can be found at:
Proposed language - 61A-3.03051_11-4-2011
Proposed language - 61A-4.0501_11-4-2011
NOTICE: SUWANNEE COUNTY IS OFFICIALLY NO LONGER A "DRY COUNTY"
On November 16, 2011, the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Suwannee County certified that no challenges to the county’s election to permit the sale of intoxicating liquors had been received within the prescribed time period. As a result, Suwannee County is no longer “dry” and all alcoholic beverage licenses will be issued according to general law. Any restrictions printed on the 1APS, 1COP, 2APS, and 2COP series licenses presently issued to licensees in Suwannee County are no longer valid.
Please note: Series 1APS and 1COP licenses authorize the sale of malt beverages only. Series 2APS and 2COP licenses authorize the sale of malt and vinous beverages only. Licensees holding 2APS and 2COP type licenses may now sell any malt or vinous beverages permitted to be sold in Florida without any additional licensure requirements. Spirituous alcoholic beverages may only be sold by a licensee holding a specialty license such as those issued for restaurants, hotels, golf courses, etc., and which meet specific qualifications prior to the issuance of these licenses.
Click here to view a list of the types of licenses available and the corresponding qualifications.
You may obtain the application and instructions to apply for a specialty liquor license in PDF or Word format.
Once you have completed your application, it may be submitted to any Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco district office. Appointments are strongly suggested. Click here to find the district office addresses and other pertinent information.
Based on its population, Suwannee County is entitled to five new quota liquor licenses. Persons considered for issuance of these licenses are selected through a double random drawing held pursuant to Section 561.19, Florida Statutes.
The application instructions for filing, and the dates regarding the 45-day application period will be announced as soon as they are available. The actual drawing to select the persons who are entitled to apply for these licenses will occur after all applications received have been reviewed and each application to be included in the drawing is determined to be eligible.
NOTICE: MADISON COUNTY HAS VOTED TO END “DRY COUNTY” STATUS
On August 28, 2012, Madison County held an election which approved the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises and sales by the package. However, persons wanting to sell alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of more than 6.243 percent of alcohol by volume will have to wait at least 90 days until the election has been certified by the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
Pursuant to Florida Statutes Ch. 567.11 and 567.12, as evidence of a legal election, the results must be duly certified to by the clerk of the circuit court for the county in which an election was held. Additionally, any resident shall have the right to test the legality and regularity of such election by suit in equity in the circuit court of such county to be filed against the county commissioners thereof. If any such election shall be adjudged to be illegal and void in any such suit, such judgment shall have the effect of completely nullifying such election as to all inhabitants of such county whether they were parties to such suit or not. No such suit shall be brought to test the validity of any such election unless done so within 90 days after the recording of the declaration of the result of any such election in the minutes of the board of county commissioners.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Once the 90 day period expires and the Division receives certification from the Circuit Court verifying the election results, the restrictions printed on the 1APS, 1COP, 2APS, and 2COP licenses presently issued for licensees in Madison County are no longer valid.
Please note: Series 1APS and 1COP licenses authorize the sale of malt beverages only. Series 2APS and 2COP licenses authorize the sale of malt and vinous beverages only. Licensees holding 2APS and 2COP type licenses will then be able to sell any malt or vinous beverages permitted to be sold in Florida without any additional licensure requirements.
Spirituous alcoholic beverages will only be permitted to be sold by a licensee holding a liquor license. Specialty licenses such as those for restaurants, hotels, golf courses, etc., have specific qualifications which must be met prior to the issuance of these licenses.
Click here to view a list of the types of licenses available and the corresponding qualifications.
You may obtain the application and instructions to apply for a specialty liquor license in PDF or Word format.
Once you have completed your application, it may be submitted to any Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco district office. Appointments are strongly suggested. Click here to find the district office addresses and other pertinent information.
Based on its population, Madison County is entitled to three new quota liquor licenses. Persons considered for issuance of these licenses are selected through a double random drawing held pursuant to Section 561.19, Florida Statutes.
The application instructions for filing, and the dates regarding the 45-day application period will be announced as soon as they are available. The actual drawing to select the persons who are entitled to apply for these licenses will occur after all applications received have been reviewed and each person to be included in the drawing is determined to be eligible.
ALERT: FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL ISSUES EMERGENCY RULE SCHEDULING PSYCHOACTIVE “BATH SALTS”
On January 26, 2011, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi deemed “bath salts” containing psychoactive substances to be a significant threat to health and public safety within the State of Florida. Please see the FDLE Alert Notification in English or Spanish. For additional information you may want to review the FDLE Brief on Bath Salts or the Notice of Emergency Rule issued by Attorney General, Pam Bondi. More information will be posted as it becomes available.
AB&T QUOTA LICENSE WINNERS
The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, Department of Business and Professional Regulation announces the Winners of the Quota Liquor License Drawing for the application period, which began August 16, 2010 and closed on September 29, 2010.
INTRODUCING ONLINE ALCOHOL BRAND REGISTRATION
The division is pleased to announce the new online instant processing system for alcohol brand registrations. Alcohol brand registration can now be completed online. Review the important Brand FAQs for Step-by-Step Online Registration Instructions and answers to frequently asked questions. QUICK START: From the DBPR home page, select APPLY FOR A LICENSE, select Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, select Alcohol Brand Registrant and Brand/Label, select Alcohol Brand/Label Registration, scroll to the bottom of the page and select Apply Using Online Services (or select Apply Using a Printable Application).
Online registration can be completed in as little as two minutes. When applicable, the new software will retrieve an image of the federal COLAs from the TTB database automatically.After completing the online process and upon making payment, the alcoholic beverage product is registered and can be shipped to Florida. If you have any problems, please contact the Customer Contact Center at 850.487.1395 and follow the prompts.An agent will be able to assist you.
New Tobacco statute
FS 569.0073 Special provisions; smoking pipes and smoking devices
Introducing AB&T’s Electronic Data Submission (EDS) System
AB&T is proud to announce that electronic data submission is now available.You can now submit your Cigarette and Tobacco reports online or via FTP upload. Click here to get started.
Coming soon Alcoholic Beverages Electronic Submission.
Reduced Cigarette Ignition Propensity Standard and Firefighter Protection Act (RCIP)
The Florida Legislature has found that cigarettes are the leading cause of fire deaths in this state and in the nation.The 2008 Legislature passed into law section 633.042, Florida Statute, requiring all cigarettes sold in Florida beginning January 1, 2010, to be fire safe compliant.The new law, titled “Reduced Cigarette Ignition Propensity Standard and Firefighter Protection Act”, states that no cigarettes may be sold or offered for sale in Florida effective January 1, 2010, unless the cigarettes have been tested in accordance with a specific test method and meet the performance standards specified.A written certification of the testing must be filed by the manufacturer with the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, and the cigarettes must be specifically marked as meeting these standards.Any wholesale dealer or retail dealer purchasing cigarettes on or after January 1, 2010, must only purchase cigarettes marked as being certified fire safe cigarettes.More information can be found on the Bureau of Auditing RCIP web page.
Surcharge on Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Product
The 2009 Florida Legislature passed “Protecting Florida’s Health Act” which levies a surcharge on both cigarettes and tobacco products (other than cigars). Beginning July 1, 2009, the surcharge on cigarettes is at the rate of $1.00 per standard pack of 20 cigarettes, or 5 cents per cigarette. The surcharge on other tobacco products is 60% of the wholesale sales price. The surcharge on both cigarettes and tobacco products will be administered, collected, and enforced by the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) in the same manner as the excise taxes on these products. View additional information about the surcharge.
Tailgaters Urging Responsibility and Fun (TURF)
As we continue our efforts to promote safe and responsible tailgating throughout the football season, the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, our industry partners Charmer Sunbelt Group, Brown-Forman and Premier Beverage Company, and CBS Radio is pleased to present this public-service message describing Tailgaters Urging Responsibility and Fun, or TURF. NFL- great Boomer Esiason is the spokesman for this important national initiative.
Tied House Evil
Rule 61A-1.010, Florida Administrative Code, which contained the Approved Advertising and Promotional Gifts Chart, was recently replaced with a new set of rules. It is very important for all alcoholic beverages licensees to familiarize themselves with these rules, because the rules contain some significant changes. The rules can be found in Chapter 61A-1, Florida Administrative Code and on ABT’s website . Please see the letter to the industry from the director.