SESSION WATCH
Became law HOUSE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-209

No. CS/HB 4055

City of Lake Wales, Polk County
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SPONSOR
Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee; Albert
FILED BY
Jon Albert — District 48, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
6/10/2026

Filed under Local Government.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

City of Lake Wales, Polk County; Provides exception to general law for licensed alcoholic beverage vendors located within specified area of City of Lake Wales; provides that licensed alcoholic beverage vendors within specified area must comply with all ordinances, statutes, & rules not inconsistent with specified provisions; defines specified area of city to which such exception applies.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Permits open-container alcohol sales in a specific Lake Wales district.

Vendors in the Lake Wales Arts, Culture and Entertainment District may allow patrons to take open alcoholic beverages off their premises for consumption within the district.

This authorization applies regardless of the specific license class, type, or series held by the vendor.

No additional licensure or approval from the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco is required for this activity.

Vendors must still comply with all other local ordinances and state laws that are not inconsistent with this new provision.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Open Container Exception majors. 561.01(6)

AIPermits patrons to carry open alcoholic beverages from licensed premises into the district for consumption.

“shall be authorized to allow patrons to remove any alcoholic beverage in an open container from the licensed vendor premises for purposes of consumption away from the licensed” bill text, line 21 →
§ 2 License Class Independence majors. 561.01(6)

AIAllows the open container privilege regardless of the specific license class, type, or series held.

“regardless of the class, type, or series of license held and without the need for additional licensure or approval” bill text, line 28 →
§ 3 Compliance Requirement moderates. 561.01(6)

AIRequires vendors in the district to follow all other local and state laws not inconsistent with the new exception.

“shall comply with all other local ordinances, state alcoholic beverage laws, and rules of the division not inconsistent herewith” bill text, line 33 →
§ 4 District Definition moderates. 561.01(6)

AIDefines the specific geographic boundaries of the Lake Wales Arts, Culture and Entertainment District where the exception applies.

“Lake Wales Arts, Culture and Entertainment District means the area of land situated in Section 2, Township 30 South, Range 27 East” bill text, line 36 →
TIMELINE
7/1/2026
Chapter No. 2026-209
6/10/2026
Approved by Governor
6/9/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/11/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/11/2026
In Messages
3/11/2026
CS passed; YEAS 35 NAYS 1 -SJ 790
3/11/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 790
3/11/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 790
3/11/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/11/2026
Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 785
3/9/2026
Placed on Local Calendar, 03/11/26
2/18/2026
Received
2/12/2026
Referred to Rules
2/12/2026
In Messages
2/11/2026
CS passed; YEAS 114, NAYS 0
2/11/2026
Read 3rd time
2/11/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
2/11/2026
Read 2nd time
2/5/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/11/2026)
2/3/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
2/3/2026
Bill released to House Calendar
2/3/2026
Reported out of State Affairs Committee
2/3/2026
Favorable by State Affairs Committee
1/30/2026
Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
1/29/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
1/29/2026
Now in State Affairs Committee
1/29/2026
Referred to State Affairs Committee
1/28/2026
CS Filed
1/28/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
1/28/2026
Reported out of Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
1/28/2026
Favorable with CS by Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
1/26/2026
Added to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee agenda
1/20/2026
Now in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
1/20/2026
Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
1/20/2026
Favorable by Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
1/15/2026
Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/12/2026
Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
1/12/2026
Referred to State Affairs Committee
1/12/2026
Referred to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
1/12/2026
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
1/5/2026
Filed
36 EARLIER →
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