Tired of surprise tips on your restaurant bill? Florida might change that. A proposed amendment to a state lodging bill (HB 535) aims to limit automatic gratuities to parties of six or more, and let you refuse them for bad service.
Rep. Demi Busatta, R-Coral Gables, argues these charges, often 20%, are creeping into takeout and fast-casual dining, and aren’t always going to servers. “Where’s the money going?” she asks, citing bills with stacked service charges.
Restaurant industry reps counter that these charges help them stay competitive post-pandemic and support non-tipped staff. But they agree on transparency: customers deserve clear breakdowns.
Key Changes if the Bill Passes:
- Party Size: Auto-tips limited to groups of 6+.
- Transparency: Bills must clearly show who gets the tip and the percentage.
- Refusal: Customers can refuse the tip, even for reasons beyond poor service.
- Pre-Tax: Tips based on pre-tax totals.
The bill also clarifies the difference between hotel guests and tenants, and simplifies the process of removing disruptive guests.
Bottom Line: Florida could soon give diners more control over tipping, while also streamlining how hotels deal with problematic guests.