HB 655 Summary

• Establishes five special zones in downtown Jacksonville: Northside West, Northside East, Southbank, Riverside Avondale Urban Transition Area, and Riverside Avondale Commercial Character Areas (9 specific areas)

• Allows the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco to issue special alcoholic beverage licenses to restaurants in these zones with reduced space and seating requirements

• Restaurants must have 100 or more patron accommodations at tables and occupy at least 1,800 square feet of floor space, with no less than 51 percent of gross annual income from food sales

• Special licenses remain subject to local zoning requirements for distance restrictions between liquor-serving establishments and churches or schools, and state alcoholic beverage laws

• Effective upon becoming law