More than a hundred new state laws take effect Wednesday. They're the products of Florida's springtime legislative session that collectively will transform life in the Sunshine State in radically different ways.
Across the state, craft brewers will be hosting beer tastings in honor of what they're calling 'Growler Independence Day'. The phrase refers to a new law legalizing 64-ounce take-home beer jugs, which are the most commonly used type of growler and are already legal in 47 states. On Wednesday, Florida becomes the 48th.
"Basically, four pints of beer is the perfect size to take and share, and we can do that," said Byron Burroughs, who owns Proof Brewing Co. in Tallahassee and until Wednesday had been limited to filling 32-ounce growlers. "The second part of it is that we were able to get through this lawsuit attack by distributors and we now have in law a framework within which we can all operate and it protects our tasting room, which will therefore allow for growth within the state."
Meanwhile, another new law restricts drone enthusiasts from taking aerial video or pictures of private property where there's a "reasonable expectation of privacy." It's joined by a statute allowing doctors to give experimental medications to patients suffering from terminal illnesses without incurring malpractice penalties.
Legislators also voted to waive legal liability for cities and counties that don't collect parental permission forms before allowing children to use public skate parks and bicycle tracks.