Lawmakers On Board With Alcohol At Florida Train Stations

January 26, 2016

If passenger rail service returns to the Gulf Coast, passengers would be able to buy alcoholic drinks at train stations in Florida under a measure proposed Monday by a Senate panel.

The proposal is part of a wider-ranging bill (SB 698), sponsored by Senate Regulated Industries Chairman Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, and would permit the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco to issue alcoholic beverage licenses to the owners of railroad transit stations, existing and planned.

The division could also issue alcohol licenses to the operators of restaurants or shops tied to rail stations.

The Southern Rail Commission has recently announced it is in talks with Amtrak about providing daily service from Orlando to New Orleans/ A study has tentatively affixed stops in Pensacola, Crestview, Chipley and Tallahassee — all of which would be permitted to make alcohol available at their stations under the bill.

The division could also issue alcohol licenses to the operators of restaurants or shops tied to rail stations.

Bradley said before the meeting of the Senate General Government Appropriations Subcommittee that the bill doesn’t specify any existing or proposed passenger rail service.

However, a staff analysis of the proposal specifically highlights — without commenting — that All Aboard Florida, an offshoot of Florida East Coast Industries, is building stations in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando for its Brightline passenger rail service that is expected to begin running next year.

The legislative proposal could also result in alcohol being sold at the Tri Rail stops from Mangonia Park to Hialeah or the more than 20 stations along the Metrorail in Miami-Dade County.

The measure specifies that a “railroad transit station” handle passenger trains running regular, fixed schedules between two or more cities.

Also, under Bradley’s proposal, a permit wouldn’t count against any quota license restrictions that limit the number of such permits that may be issued per county.

Municipalities or counties also wouldn’t be able to impose additional licenses or taxes to sell alcohol at stations.  And the “railroad transit station” license could not be transferred beyond the stations.

A House proposal (HB 645) by Rep. Kathleen Peters, R-Treasure Island, has a somewhat similar proposal regarding train stations and alcohol sales. Her bill goes before the Business and Professions Subcommittee on Tuesday.

by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida, with contributions by NorthEscambia.com

Comments

10 Responses to “Lawmakers On Board With Alcohol At Florida Train Stations”

  1. Shay on January 29th, 2016 12:40 am

    People who fly first class on planes are allowed to drink during their flight. Why would it be an issue for riding a train?

  2. jeeperman on January 27th, 2016 4:13 pm

    Does the Fed law forbid carrying alcohol onto public transportation in your belly too?
    No it does not.

  3. david lamb on January 26th, 2016 9:57 pm

    DOT regulations state that it is against Federal Law to smoke or consume/carry alcohol on public transportation.
    By allowing the sale of alcohol in terminals you are endangering the lives of other passengers and when you have bus operators picking up passengers att these terminals you are causing them to violate Federal Law.
    As a driver of a motor coach you put the burden on me to enforce these laws and refuse service to anyone that has been drinking . Alcohol is the #1 problem on public transportation..

  4. Retired on January 26th, 2016 3:04 pm

    Get on the Party Train. You could do a poker run with out the Harley. Too bad the cities and towns would not benefit from the revenue. The stations not pay the revenuers??

  5. 429SCJ on January 26th, 2016 1:32 pm

    If people can legally pour a highly toxic chemical into their bodies, there should be a smoking car and area for people who enjoy cannabis.

    Which would you prefer to have to deal with, a rowdy drunk, or a mellow passenger?

  6. Lifendason on January 26th, 2016 12:04 pm

    Alcohol = The Devil’s Sin Brew

    It’s promoted as being refreshing, take your shoes off and relax drink, have only one, you deserve it.

    The billboards will not show you the lives and families that Alcohol has destroyed.

    Two Thumbs down for alcohol at the train station.

  7. Sara on January 26th, 2016 8:45 am

    That’s gonna be a helluva train ride.

  8. Jenn on January 26th, 2016 7:46 am

    Having solved all other pressing issues including joblessness, homelessness, and gun violence, alcohol will now be allowed at train stations.

  9. Anne on January 26th, 2016 7:22 am

    Well, just sayin’ we are in no immediate danger of DOR (Drunk on Rails) riders.

    Perhaps the gambling interests could put slots and table games onboard the train cars and serve alcohol while riding the rails.

  10. M in Bratt on January 26th, 2016 6:09 am

    This should certainly enhance the train ride experience; Nothing like a bunch of drinks to entertain you while you are waiting for a train.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News