Advocacy

Hospitality's voice in Tallahassee.

FRLA fights for the policies that keep Florida's hospitality industry strong. When the industry speaks with one voice, lawmakers listen.

See our priorities Join the fight

Our approach

A seat at every table that matters

FRLA's government-relations team represents Florida's restaurants and hotels every day the legislature is in session — and every day it isn't. At every level of government, in every branch of government, FRLA fights for the industry that drives Florida's economy.

2 Million: Florida hospitality jobs represented
$134 Billion: Annual economic impact defended
Since 1946: Fighting for the industry

Track record

Wins that show up on your bottom line

A few of the fights FRLA has led for Florida operators.

−60.5%: Cumulative workers' comp rate cut since FRLA's 2003 reform
$80 Million+: Visit Florida tourism-marketing funding secured
$2.5 Billion: Saved annually by commercial leaseholders with the elimination of the business rent tax.
500; 30: Reductions in SFS license square footage and seating requirements, respectively.

And many more

Cut unemployment-compensation tax increases by roughly $50 per employee
Legalized Alcohol-To-Go
Preempted local regulation of restaurants and public lodging establishments
Successfully advocated for the epic Tort Reform Package of 2023
Protected the ability to charge automatic gratuities and service charges

Alcohol Surcharge Repeal Savings

Florida Alcoholic Beverage Surcharge Repeal Savings Calculator

In 2009, Florida repealed the Alcoholic Beverage Surcharge, a tax that had been imposed on the sale of individual beer, wine, cider, and liquor drinks. Prior to its repeal, the surcharge required licensed alcohol vendors to collect the beverage surcharge on every alcoholic beverage served for on-premises consumption and remit those funds to the state (licensees were also permitted to calculate the surcharge based on the gallons purchased at wholesale). The elimination of the Alcoholic Beverage Surcharge reduced administrative burdens for licensed alcohol vendors and distributors while lowering the overall tax collected on alcoholic beverages.

We created this calculator to help you estimate the financial impact that repeal has had on your business. By entering your annual gallons sold by beverage category and the number of years since the repeal, you can estimate the amount of surcharge your business has avoided over time.

These estimated savings represent money your business has not had to collect from customers, track through additional reporting requirements, or remit to the state since the surcharge was eliminated.

Your estimate

Estimated annual surcharge avoided: $0
Estimated total avoided over 18 years: $0

Breakdown by beverage

Beer × $0.14 / gal$0 / yr$0
Wine × $1.07 / gal$0 / yr$0
Cider × $0.21 / gal$0 / yr$0
Liquor × $4.28 / gal$0 / yr$0

Estimates only, using the surcharge rates in effect before the 2009 repeal (beer $0.14, wine $1.07, cider $0.21, liquor $4.28 per gallon). Savings = gallons × rate × years. Not tax or legal advice.

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