FloridaLake Wales vendors may allow drinks outside premises within district
Licensed alcohol vendors in Lake Wales’s defined arts and entertainment district may allow patrons to carry open drinks for consumption elsewhere inside the district.
What it does
Licensed vendors inside Lake Wales’s arts and entertainment district may let patrons carry open alcoholic drinks for consumption elsewhere within the district, without another license or approval.
Argument forPatrons could move between district businesses and events more easily because vendors may allow them to carry drinks within the defined area.
Argument againstAllowing drinks outside vendor premises could make it harder for vendors and officials to monitor where alcohol is consumed within the district.
More detail
Licensed alcoholic beverage vendors may let patrons take open alcoholic drinks away from the vendor’s premises for consumption within the district. This applies to vendors whose licenses allow on-premises alcohol sales and whose licensed premises are within the Lake Wales Arts, Culture and Entertainment District. The authorization applies regardless of the vendor’s license class, type, or series. Vendors do not need an additional license or approval from the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. Vendors must still follow other local ordinances, state alcohol laws, and division rules that do not conflict with this authorization. The act takes effect when it becomes law, and the authorization applies after that date.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 1Chapter No. 2026-209Latest
- Jun 10Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Jun 9Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Local Bills, Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11In Messages
- Mar 11CS passed; YEAS 35 NAYS 1Passed Senate
- Mar 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 11Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 11Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Mar 9Placed on Local Calendar, 03/11/26
- Feb 18ReceivedMinor
- Feb 12Referred to RulesMinor
- Feb 12In Messages
- Feb 11CS passed; YEAS 114, NAYS 0Passed House
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 11Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Feb 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 5Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/11/2026)
- Feb 3Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Vote recorded Favorable (State Affairs Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3Bill released to House Calendar
- Feb 3Reported out of State Affairs Committee
- Feb 3Favorable by State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 30Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- Jan 291st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Jan 29Now in State Affairs Committee
- Jan 29Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 28CS FiledMinor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 28Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Jan 28Reported out of Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
- Jan 28Favorable with CS by Industries & Professional Activities SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 26Added to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 20Now in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 20Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Jan 20Favorable by Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 15Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- Jan 12Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Jan 12Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 12Referred to Industries & Professional Activities SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 12Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 5FiledIntroduced
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