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PRESS RELEASES

Plans of Corrective Action and Temporary Variances

The Plan of Corrective Action (PCA) and temporary variance procedures are hereby revised. Owners who intend to submit a variance must follow Section 120.542, Florida Statutes-Variances and Waivers. Information on applying for an elevator variance is available on our variance webpage.

April 19, 2017 /  
Florida Sports Center

Please use our convenient contact form to submit any comments and/or questions you may have. In order to better serve you, please include as much information as possible about the nature of your request.

April 5, 2017 /  
Arrive Alive, Don’t Drink and Drive

~ Floridians and visitors are urged to drive sober for a safe Spring Break ~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), a division of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), is spreading the message Arrive Alive, Don’t Drink and Drive this March as residents and visitors celebrate spring break in Florida. The DHSMV and FHP are partnering with the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Police Chiefs Association, Florida Sheriffs Association, AAA – The Auto Club Group and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to spread the message on how to enjoy spring break in Florida safely.

“Spring break in Florida is a fun and exciting time for many students and families, but driving impaired can change that in an instant,” said DHSMV Executive Director Terry L. Rhodes. “We want everyone to enjoy their vacation and always designate a sober driver or find a safe ride home. Arrive Alive and never drink and drive.”

Florida’s beautiful beaches and tourist attractions lure thousands of spring breakers every year. As more drivers take to Florida roadways, the decision to drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol continues to be a serious problem. Preliminary data shows that in March 2016, there were more than 35,000 crashes statewide, including more than 15 crashes each day involving drivers who registered alcohol levels above the legal limit, resulting in 48 fatalities.

“The Florida Highway Patrol wants to ensure that every driver makes good decisions before getting behind the wheel and does not drink or use drugs and drive,” said Colonel Gene Spaulding, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Enjoy your time in Florida, but be sure to use good judgment, so that the celebration doesn’t turn into a tragedy.”

In Florida in 2016, high school and college-aged drivers made up 20 percent of all drivers in crashes in March. During that time period, drivers ages 15 to 24 accounted for 12,157 crashes, resulting in 677 injuries and 84 fatalities.

Driving impaired not only puts everyone on the roadway in danger, it can have serious legal and monetary consequences. Penalties for DUIs can include expensive fines, license revocation and jail time. Since 2013, more DUI citations have been issued in March than in any other month of the year. This spring break, law enforcement agencies across the state will continue to enforce the state’s drinking age laws to help keep impaired drivers off the roads.

“We remind motorists to drive safely, drive sober and always buckle up,” said Rachel Cone, FDOT Interim Secretary. “With Florida’s beautiful scenic highways and beach destinations, it is the best place to spend your spring break. We want everyone to arrive safely.”

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco enforces the state’s beverage law and is responsible for licensing all Florida establishments that sell or serve alcohol. This spring break, DBPR is partnering with state and local law enforcement agencies to help further enforce the legal drinking age and ensure that establishments are serving alcohol only to those age 21 or older.

“The DBPR’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco is committed to ensuring that alcohol stays out of the hands of individuals under the legal drinking age and that Florida establishments remain in compliance during spring break,” said DBPR Interim Secretary Matilde Miller. “Spring break is a time of fun and recreation for Florida residents and those visiting the Sunshine State, and we want to make sure everyone has a good time and gets back home safely.”

“Spring break brings a sharp increase in drunk driving incidents, and the Florida Police Chiefs Association is proud to partner with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to promote safe and responsible driving during spring break,” said Coconut Creek Police Chief Butch Arenal, President of the Association. “Drinking and driving often leads to serious injuries or fatalities, and it is imperative to educate Floridians and guests about the dangers of impaired driving. Florida’s police chiefs fully support and endorse this initiative.”

“Impaired driving is responsible for many of the traffic crashes that our deputies respond to daily in Florida,” said Sheriff Jerry Demings, President of the Florida Sheriffs Association. “Given that our primary mission is to protect the citizens that we serve, our Florida Sheriffs fully support the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles ‘Arrive Alive, Don’t Drink and Drive’ initiative this spring.”

“Any plans to celebrate with alcohol should also include a plan to get home safely,” said Amy Stracke, Managing Director of Traffic Safety Advocacy, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Choosing a designated driver is one of the best ways to avoid the dangers of impaired driving.”

Regulatory Compliance Services (RCS), a subsidiary of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA), provides risk management and regulatory compliance training to the state’s hospitality industry. RCS training programs include Responsible Vendor Training and Alcohol Compliance to educate servers and sellers on the legal manner of serving alcohol and preventing underage drinking.

“Florida is fortunate to be revered as one of the nation’s leading destinations for spring break travelers,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “Admired for our world-class hospitality industry, it is our duty to lead by example. We strongly encourage our businesses across the state to serve responsibly and provide a safe environment for all guests. As Florida’s premier provider of responsible alcohol vendor training, we are dedicated to risk management and strongly recommend that businesses and patrons take precaution during the spring break season.”

Visit DHSMV’s website for more information and resources for the Arrive Alive, Don’t Drink and Drive Spring Break campaign. The public is encouraged to report dangerous and drunk drivers by dialing *FHP (*347).

March 1, 2017 /  
Gov. Scott’s “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Budget Fights to Keep Florida Business-Friendly

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Governor Scott’s “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Budget recommends $151 million to support the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s continued commitment to making Florida the best place for businesses and job creators. Governor Scott’s budget also supports DBPR’s overall mission to license efficiently and regulate fairly, allowing Florida businesses and professionals to succeed and create jobs for future generations of Floridians.

Governor Scott said, “We are fighting to make Florida the global destination for jobs so our future generations can have great opportunities to live their dreams in the Sunshine State. DBPR has been at the forefront of making it easier for businesses to succeed, and over the last six years, they have cut fees by over $19 million, reduced 213 burdensome regulations and decreased the average time to get a license to around two days. That’s the way government should work – with efficiency and innovation to help Florida’s businesses open their doors and create jobs for our families for years to come.”

Matilde Miller, Interim Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation said, “Governor Scott’s proposed budget directly supports DBPR’s mission of expanding and growing business in Florida. Thanks to Governor Scott’s leadership, we will continue to make it easier for Floridians to get a license, start a business and create jobs in our great state.”

Governor Scott’s “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Budget includes:

  • License application processing: In 2015, DBPR processed 70,555 more applications than in 2011 and reduced application processing time to around 2 days. The budget proposes continuing $7.6 million for the Central Intake Unit to remain the only statewide business regulatory entity that processes applications in around two days for more than one million licensees. This unit processes an average of around 5,000 applications each week. Additionally, over 95.5% of license renewal applications are now available online. This allows department licensees to renew online in real time and get to work more quickly.
  • Interactive Voice Response System: DBPR’s Customer Contact Center receives over one million calls annually and since 2011, the average wait time for callers has decreased from 2.45 minutes to just 18 seconds. The budget proposes continuing $5.4 million for the Customer Contact Center to continue to improve efficiency and provide better customer service to consumers.
  • Food safety: DBPR’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants’ inspection practices enable the division to communicate more effectively to licensees in a pro-business manner. The Division works to be transparent with the public on the results of an inspection, which are published in real time on the DBPR website and DBPR Mobile App. The budget proposes continuing $21.2 million to allow the division to continue to protect the health and safety of Floridians and guests to the state while implementing regulations that make good business sense for Florida’s 91,000 food service and lodging establishments.

Richard Browdy, Chairman of the Florida Building Commission, said, “The construction industry in Florida is booming, and thanks to Governor Scott and DBPR, it has the leadership and resources it needs to continue to thrive. Under Governor Scott’s proposed budget, DBPR can continue to maximize efficiencies, reduce regulations, and ensure Floridians can get to work more quickly than ever before.”

Deborah Curry, President and CEO of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, said, “Governor Scott has always focused on job growth for Florida’s businesses and professionals, and we appreciate his continued efforts to lower the tax burden on Florida’s citizens and businesses.”

Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, said, “DBPR has done a tremendous job inspecting and regulating Florida’s world-class hotels and restaurants in a very pro-business manner. Florida is home to over 91,000 food service and lodging establishments, and thanks to DBPR’s dedication, the Division of Hotels and Restaurants has been recognized as a national leader in food safety and innovation. I applaud Governor Scott’s proposed budget that continues to invest in Florida’s outstanding restaurant and lodging industry. ”

January 31, 2017 /  
DBPR Releases Informational eBook, the DBPR Business Brief, for First-Time Entrepreneurs and Job Creators

TALLAHASSEE, Fla — The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) today released the DBPR Business Brief, a comprehensive guide to starting and owning a business as told by hundreds of Florida’s premier industry leaders.

Secretary Ken Lawson said, “Great advice can go a long way—especially for entrepreneurs and job creators starting their own businesses. The DBPR Business Brief shares invaluable lessons, goals and strategies learned by Florida’s top business minds. Our hope is that the knowledge shared in these pages can help write the next chapter of successful businesses in Florida.”

Executive leaders from top Florida businesses such as Firehouse Subs, Greenberg Traurig LLP, the International Speedway Corporation, and Datamaxx Group Inc. (to name a few) offered a first-person perspective on insightful business topics. The subjects covered include personal and professional growth, leadership, decision-making, overcoming obstacles…and more! DBPR encourages Florida’s future business leaders to read this eBook and use the information provided to give their business the best start possible.

October 25, 2016 /  

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