-Legislation Protects Tourism and Hospitality Industry in Job Creation and Expansion-

(Tallahassee, FL) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) today applauds Governor Rick Scott for signing House Bill 655, a measure to preempt paid leave ordinances to the state level. Union-backed campaigns in Orange and Miami-Dade Counties sought to have local government require private entities to mandate paid leave benefits for employees. This anti-business edict was defeated at the local level and will now, with this new law, be decided at the state level.

“Thank you to Governor Rick Scott for signing the paid leave preemption legislation and protecting members of the tourism and hospitality industry,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “Our industry has consistently fought for uniformity and fairness across the state, whether it relates to inspections, licensing fees, or training requirements. Florida businesses cannot survive with competing regulations on a county by county basis and this legislation now allows for a level playing field for job creation and expansion.”

House Bill 655 was sponsored by State Representative Stephen Precourt (R-Orlando) and State Senator David Simmons (R-Altamonte Springs) and goes into effect July 1, 2013. The new law also requires a statewide task force be created to analyze employment benefits and the impact of state preemption of the regulation of such benefits. The findings are to be submitted to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representative by January 15, 2014.

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About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
FRLA’s mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s hospitality industry – which represents a $71.8 billion industry, 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.3 billion in sales tax revenue, and over one million employees, making it Florida’s largest employer. It is Florida’s premier non-profit, hospitality industry trade association. FRLA safeguards the needs of the hospitality industry, improves the business climate, promotes the highest levels of quality and safety for our patrons, provides legislative advocacy, and eases navigation of government regulation. The Association represents and serves more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks. For more information, go to www.FRLA.org.

Contact: Christina Johnson
850.339.5773 Cell
Christina@on3pr.com