For Immediate Release
December 29, 2021 |
Contact: communications@myfloridalicense.com (850) 922-8981 |
Florida DBPR Secretary Julie I. Brown Recognizes Agency’s Collaboration, Efficiencies and Customer Experience Top List for 2021 Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Secretary Julie I. Brown highlighted 2021 agency achievements, which included legislative successes as well as division milestones. These accomplishments further the Department’s efforts to pursue regulatory reforms and operational advancements while also increasing efficiencies and levels of service for businesses and professionals regulated by the Department’s programs. “DBPR strives to ensure we have a responsive agency that is a leader in addressing the trends and needs of our regulated industries and professions,” said DBPR Secretary Julie I. Brown. “I am proud of the strides we have made this year as an agency, and I thank Governor DeSantis and the legislature for their dedicated support of Florida’s licensed businesses and professionals.” Key Legislation Passed Through SB 1966, the Department proposed and implemented legislation that allowed for the Division of Drugs, Devices and Cosmetics to provide “cottage industry” exemptions for small, startup manufacturers of certain soaps, lotions, moisturizers and creams that have $25,000 or less in annual gross sales from cosmetic manufacturer permitting requirements. The Department also implemented and made permanent certain alcohol sales methods, commonly referenced as alcohol-to-go, that were similar to measures implemented by emergency orders of Governor DeSantis during Florida’s state of emergency related to COVID-19. The legislation of Senate Bill 148 authorized restaurants, or vendors of alcoholic beverages also holding a public food service license, to sell or deliver alcoholic beverages prepared by the vendor in sealed containers. Division Accomplishments Record Number of Combat Sporting Events
Significant Investment in New Restaurants
Development of Statewide Vacation Rental Database
Combatted Unlicensed Regulatory Activity
Strengthened Department’s Relationship with Condominium Associations
Expanded Real Estate Licensure Agreements with Other States
Welcomed State’s First Gaming Control Commission
Charting the course for a more customer-centric experience, the Department is planning for the future with the Governor’s recommended Freedom First budget proposals that will set the agency on a path to implement, among other technological advancements, a more modern, customer service-friendly online licensing platform that enhances interactions with licensees at DBPR. ### The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates more than one million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida, including accountants, architects and interior designers, asbestos consultants, athlete agents, auctioneers, barbers, building code administrators and inspectors, community association managers, construction contractors, cosmetologists, electrical contractors, employee leasing companies, geologists, home inspectors, landscape architects, mold assessors and remediators, pilot commissioners, real estate appraisers and brokers, and veterinarians, as well as businesses dealing in alcoholic beverages, tobacco, food service, public lodging, pari-mutuel wagering, and condominiums, timeshares, and other cooperative residential arrangements. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, visit myfloridalicense.com. Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing |