This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives.
STORAGE NAME: h1329b.APC
DATE: 2/7/2024
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/HB 1329 Veterans
SPONSOR(S): Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee, Redondo, Alvarez and
others
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS: CS/SB 1666
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special
Districts Subcommittee
15 Y, 0 N, As CS Mwakyanjala Darden
2) Appropriations Committee Aderibigbe Pridgeon
3) State Affairs Committee
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
Florida is home to 21 military installations and more than 69,000 military personnel. Florida also has the
nation’s third-largest veteran population with almost 1.5 million veterans. Many of these veterans are recently
transitioned servicemembers. Each year, about 250,000 servicemembers end military service as veterans and
either reenter the civilian workforce or enroll in higher education.
The bill revises provisions relating to veterans and the transition of veterans to civilian life by:
Expanding employment outreach, marketing, and support services activities of Florida is for Veterans,
Inc. (Veterans Florida);
Revising the appointment process for the governing board of Veterans Florida;
Providing definitions for terms used in law relating to Veterans Florida and the Veterans Employment
and Training Services Program (VETSP);
Revising the duties of Veterans Florida relating to the administration of VETSP;
Allowing an educational stipend for veterans while training at specified locations;
Expanding the role of Veterans Florida in assisting with industry certification;
Prohibiting the Department of State from charging veterans who are residents of the state various filing
fees;
Creating an exemption from fees related to hunting and fishing permits and licenses for certain disabled
veterans;
Revising the structure, appointment of members, and frequency of meetings of the Advisory Council on
Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries; and
Adding required instructional material for middle and high school students.
The bill has an indeterminate negative fiscal impact that can be absorbed within existing resources.
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2024.
STORAGE NAME: h1329b.APC PAGE: 2
DATE: 2/7/2024
FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Present Situation
SkillBridge Program
The Department of Defense (DoD) SkillBridge program grants servicemembers
1
an opportunity to “gain
valuable civilian work experience through specific industry training, apprenticeships, or internships” by
matching civilian opportunities to a servicemember’s job training and work experience.
2
The goal of
providing these opportunities is to enhance the servicemember’s marketability and post-separation
career prospects following separation from duty.
3
Servicemembers are eligible for the program
regardless of rank. Military spouses and veterans may also participate in programs with some partners;
however, the DoD will not provide pay, allowances, benefits, or other program support to the military
spouse or veteran.
4
The servicemember is permitted to use up to the last 180 days of service to train and learn with an
industry partner that best matches that applicant’s job training and work experience. The training must
offer the servicemember a high probability of employment. Throughout the SkillBridge program
partnership, the servicemember continues to receive military compensation and benefits. Eligibility for
the SkillBridge program is mission-dependent and must be authorized by the unit commander prior to
entering into any agreement with interested industry employment partners.
5
Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) is a nearly 1,500-member constitutionally
chartered
6
department with a budget of $201 million for FY 2023-24.
7
FDVA operates a network of nine
state veterans’ homes and provides statewide outreach to connect veterans and their spouses with
services, benefits and support.
8
FDVA is currently required to provide benefits and services in the fields
of health care, mental health and substance abuse, claims support, education, employment, housing,
burial benefits, and legal assistance to veterans and their spouses.
9
Current law does not require FDVA
to provide these benefits and services to the spouses of veterans.
Each year, about 250,000 servicemembers end military service as veterans and either reenter the
civilian workforce or enroll in higher education.
10
Florida is home to 21 military installations
11
and
1
The term “servicemember” is generally referred to as being on “active duty.” 10 USC s. 101 defines “active duty” as full-time duty in
the active military service of the United States. The term includes full-time training duty, annual training duty, and attendance, while in
the active military service. The term does not include full-time National Guard duty.
2
Dept. of Defense, SkillBridge, Program Overview, https://skillbridge.osd.mil/program-overview.htm (last visited Jan. 26, 2024).
3
Dept. of Defense, SkillBridge, Military Members, https://skillbridge.osd.mil/military-members.htm (last visited Jan. 26, 2024).
4
Dept. of Defense, SkillBridge, Frequently Asked Questions, https://skillbridge.osd.mil/faq.htm (last visited Jan. 26, 2024).
5
Supra note 3.
6
Art. IV, s. 11, Fla. Const.
7
Ch. 2023-239, Laws of Fla., pg. 143.
8
Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs – Our Vision and Mission,
https://www.floridavets.org/leadership/ (last visited Jan. 26, 2024).
9
Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, Benefits & Services, https://www.floridavets.org/benefits-services/ (last visited Jan. 26, 2024).
10
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Your VA Transition Assistance Program (TAP), https://www.benefits.va.gov/transition/tap.asp
(last visited Jan. 26, 2024).
11
Select Florida, Defense & Homeland Security, 2, https://selectflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/defense-and-homeland-security-
industry-profile.pdf (last visited Jan. 26, 2024). STORAGE NAME: h1329b.APC PAGE: 3
DATE: 2/7/2024
69,290 military personnel.
12
Florida also has the nation’s third-largest veteran
13
population with almost
1.4 million veterans.
14
Many of these veterans are recently transitioned servicemembers.
Veterans Florida
Florida is for Veterans, Inc. (Veterans Florida),
15
a non-profit corporation within the Florida Department
of Veterans’ Affairs, was created to promote Florida as a veteran-friendly state.
16
Veterans Florida
encourages and assists retired and recently separated military personnel to keep or make Florida their
permanent residence, helps equip veterans for employment opportunities, and promotes the hiring of
veterans.
17
In fiscal year 2022-2023, Veterans Florida assisted 2,307 veterans with career assistance
and job placement.
18
Current law does not require Veterans Florida to provide assistance or services to
the spouses of veterans.
Veterans Florida is governed by a nine-member board of directors (Board). The Governor, the Senate
President, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives each appoint three members to the Board.
Members serve four-year staggered terms and each member may be reappointed to another four-year
term once. Vacancies are filled in the same manner of appointment and members of the Board are not
compensated but may be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses.
19
Duties of Veterans Florida include:
Contracting with at least one entity to research and identify the target market and the
educational and employment needs of veterans and their spouses;
Advising the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation regarding:
o The target market;
o Developing and implementing a marketing campaign to encourage servicemembers to
remain in Florida or make Florida their permanent residence; and
o Methods for disseminating information to the target market that relate to interests and
needs of veterans and their spouses and facilitate veterans’ knowledge of and access to
benefits;
Promoting and enhancing the value of military skill sets to businesses;
Implementing and administering the Veterans Employment and Training Services Program;
Managing all appropriated funds to ensure the use of such funds conforms to all applicable
laws, bylaws, or contractual requirements; and
Serve as the state’s principal assistance organization under the United States Depart of
Defense’s SkillBridge program for employers and transitioning service members.
20
12
Data from September 2021. Florida Military & Defense, Economic Impact Summary (2022), 2, available at
https://selectflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/Florida-2022-EIS-Summary-Book-Final.pdf (last visited Jan. 26, 2024).
13
S. 1.01(14), F.S., defines a “veteran” as a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or
released under honorable conditions, or who later received an upgraded discharge under honorable conditions. The definition in s.
1.01(14), F.S., is cited in numerous statutes, including ss. 117.02, 265.003, 292.055, 295.02, 295.07, 295.187, 295.188, 296.02,
296.08, 296.33, 296.36, 409.1664, 548.06, 943.17, and 1009.26, F.S.
14
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, VetPop2020 by State, Age Group,
Gender, 2020-2050, available at https://www.va.gov/vetdata/veteran_population.asp (last visited Jan. 25, 2024). The Veteran
Population Projection Model 2020 (VetPop2020) provides an official veteran population projection from the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs.
15
In 2015, the Florida is for Veterans, Inc., Board of Directors approved the fictitious name “Veterans Florida” and rebranded as such.
See http://dos.sunbiz.org/scripts/ficidet.exe?action=DETREG&docnum=G15000027981&rdocnum=G15000027981 (last visited Jan. 26,
2024). See also s. 295.21(5)(e), F.S.
16
S. 295.21(1), F.S.
17
S. 295.21(2), F.S.
18
Veterans Florida, Annual Report (2023), 15, https://www.veteransflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/FIFV-Annual-Report-
2023_.pdf (last visited Jan. 26, 2024).
19
S. 295.21(4), F.S.
20
S. 295.21(3), F.S. STORAGE NAME: h1329b.APC PAGE: 4
DATE: 2/7/2024
Veterans Employment and Training Services Program (VETSP)
Veterans Florida administers VETSP to assist in connecting veterans in search of employment with
businesses seeking to hire dedicated, well-trained workers.
21
The purpose of the program is to meet
the workforce demands of businesses in the state by facilitating access to training and education in
high-demand fields for veterans or their spouses.
22
Functions of the program include:
Conducting marketing and recruiting efforts directed at veterans or their spouses who are
seeking employment and who reside in or who have an interest in relocating to Florida;
Assisting veterans or their spouses seeking employment who reside in Florida or who relocate
to Florida;
Assisting Florida businesses in recruiting and hiring veterans and their spouses;
Creating a grant program to provide funding to assist veterans in meeting the workforce-skill
needs of businesses seeking to hire, promote, or generally improve specialized skills of
veterans, establishing criteria for approval of requests for funding, and maximizing the use of
funding for the grant program;
23
o Costs and expenditures for each veteran trainee is capped at $8,000. Qualified
businesses may receive reimbursement equal to 50 percent of the cost to train a
permanently, full-time employed veteran, however the business must cover the entire
cost of the training initially. Eligible costs and expenditures that may be reimbursed
include:
Tuition and fees;
Books and classroom materials; and
Rental fees for facilities.
Contracting with one or more entities to administer an entrepreneur initiative program for
veterans in Florida that connects business leaders with veterans seeking to become
entrepreneurs.
24
Advisory Council on Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries (Council)
The Council is part of the Florida Department of Health (Health) and administers the Brain and Spinal
Cord Injury Program (BSCIP). BSCIP’s purpose is to provide all eligible residents
25
who sustain a
traumatic brain or spinal cord injury the opportunity to obtain the necessary services that will enable
them to return to an appropriate level of functioning in their community.
26
The Council is a 16-member body appointed by the state Surgeon General, comprised of:
Four members must have a brain injury or are family members of individuals who have a brain
injury;
Four members must have a spinal cord injury or are family members of individuals who have a
spinal cord injury;
Two members who represent the special needs children who have a brain or spinal cord injury;
and
Six members who physicians, other allied health professionals, administrators of brain and
spinal cord injury programs, or representatives from support groups that have expertise in areas
related to the rehabilitation of individuals who have brain or spinal cord injuries.
27
21
S. 295.22, F.S.
22
S. 295.22(2), F.S.
23
Grant funds may only be used in the absence of available veteran-specific federally funded programs. S. 295.22(3)(d), F.S.
24
S. 295.22(3), F.S.
25
All hospitals, attending physicians, public, private, or social agencies must refer all new traumatic moderate-to-severe brain or spinal
cord injuries to the Department of Health’s (Central Registry). S. 381.74, F.S. Caseworkers within the Central Registry work with
affected individuals and their families and determine which individuals meet the eligibility criteria and require services and supports to
sustain their health and safety. Fla. Dept. of Health, Central Registry, https://www.floridahealth.gov/provider-and-partner-
resources/brain-and-spinal-cord-injury-program/applicants/central-registry.html (last visited Jan. 26, 2024).
26
Fla. Dept. of Health, Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program, https://www.floridahealth.gov/provider-and-partner-resources/brain-and-
spinal-cord-injury-program/index.html (last visited Jan. 26, 2024).
27
S. 381.78(1), F.S. STORAGE NAME: h1329b.APC PAGE: 5
DATE: 2/7/2024
Members of the Council serve four-year terms. Members may not serve more than two terms, however
if a vacancy occurs for a member with less than 18 months remaining in their term, the member
appointed to fill the vacancy may be reappointed twice.
28
The Council meets at least twice annually and
provides advice and expertise to Health in the preparation, implementation, and periodic review of the
BSCIP.
29
Members of the Council are not compensated but may be reimbursed for per diem and travel
expenses.
30
Department of State (DOS) and Incorporation
The DOS is responsible for receiving and maintaining incorporation and business filings required in law,
such as service of process for legal proceedings,
31
articles of incorporation,
32
and registration of
fictitious names.
33
A person who wants to file incorporation and business filings with the DOS must pay
the appropriate fee. Amongst the filings received and maintained by the DOS, and the appropriate filing
fee associated with them, are those identified in:
Chapter 605, Florida Revised Limited Liability Company Act: limited liability companies file with
the DOS a registration with their name, registered agent, and registered office location;
34
Chapter 607, Florida Business Corporation Act: corporations file their articles of incorporation,
changes to their registered office or registered agent, and must file an annual report, among
other documents;
35
Chapter 617, Corporations not for profit: requires not for profit corporations to file with the DOS
their articles of incorporation, changes to their registered office or registered agent, and must file
an annual report, among other documents;
36
and
Chapter 620, Partnership laws: limited partnerships must file a certificate of limited partnership
with the DOS containing the name of the limited partnership, the address, and the business
address of each general partner
37
as well as an annual report, among other documents.
38
General partnerships must file a partnership registration statement and an annual report, among
other documents.
39
Recreational Licenses and Permits
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regulates hunting and fishing seasons,
means of take, bag limits, and areas authorized for hunting or fishing. Florida residents and visitors are
required to possess a Florida hunting, freshwater fishing, or saltwater fishing license when engaged in
fishing and hunting activities.
40
Fees for licenses and permits typically range from $17 to $151
41
depending on the type and duration of the license, as well as if the individual is a Florida resident.
42
Certain individuals are exempt from the permitting requirements.
43
Individuals can obtain hunting and
28
S. 381.78(2), F.S.
29
S. 381.78(3)-(4), F.S.
30
S. 381.78(5), F.S.
31
See, e.g., ss. 48,061, 48.062, and 48.181, F.S.
32
S. 607.0203, F.S.
33
S. 865.09, F.S.
34
S. 605.0112(5), 605.113(4), and 605.113(5), F.S. See s. 605.0206, F.S.
35
Ss. 607.0203, 607.0502, and 607.1622, F.S. See 607.0120(9), F.S.
36
Ss. 617.0203, 617.0502, and 617.1622, F.S.
37
Ss. 620.1109 and 620.1201(1)(a)–(e), F.S.
38
S. 620.1210, F.S.
39
Ss. 620.8105 and 620.9003, F.S.
40
This includes individuals who are aiding in the take. FWC, Exemptions, https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/do-i-need-one/ (last
visited Jan. 23, 2024).
41
Outside of this range, FWC offers a five-year resident gold sportsman’s license that includes freshwater fishing, hunting, and
saltwater fishing licenses and wildlife management area, archery, muzzleloading gun, crossbow, deer, turkey, Florida waterfowl, snook,
and lobster permits for $494.
42
See, FWC, Recreational Freshwater Licenses & Permits, https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/freshwater-fishing/ (last visited
January 8, 2024); FWC, Recreational Saltwater Licenses & Permits. https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/saltwater-fishing/ (last
visited January 8, 2024); FWC, Recreational Hunting Licenses & Permits, https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/hunting/ (last visited
January 8, 2024).
43
See s. 379.353, F.S., for a list of individuals who are exempt from permitting requirements. See also, FWC, Exemptions.
https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/do-i-need-one/ (last visited January 8, 2024). STORAGE NAME: h1329b.APC PAGE: 6
DATE: 2/7/2024
fishing permits online,
44
in person at a license agent
45
or tax collector’s office, by calling toll-free
numbers, and through the FWC Fish|Hunt FL app.
46
Licenses expire a year from the date they are
issued.
47
Required Instruction in Florida Schools
The law requires each district school board to provide all courses required for middle grades promotion,
high school graduation, and appropriate instruction designed to ensure that students meet State Board
of Education (SBE) adopted standards in the following subject areas:
Reading and other language arts;
Mathematics;
Science;
Social studies;
Foreign languages;
Health and physical education; and
The arts.
48
In addition, the following specific topics must be taught:
The history and content of the Declaration of Independence, including national sovereignty,
natural law, self-evident truth, equality of all persons, limited government, popular sovereignty,
and inalienable rights of life, liberty, and property, and how they form the philosophical
foundation of our government.
The history, meaning, significance, and effect of the U.S. Constitution, with emphasis on the Bill
of Rights and how the Constitution provides the structure of our government.
The arguments in support of adopting our republican form of government, as they are embodied
in the most important of the Federalist Papers.
Flag education, including proper flag display and flag salute.
The elements of civil government, including the primary functions of and interrelationships
between the federal government, the state, and its local entities.
U.S. history, including the period of discovery, early colonies, the War for Independence, the
Civil War, the expansion of the United States to its present boundaries, the world wars, and the
civil rights movement to the present.
The history of the Holocaust.
The history of African Americans, including the history of African peoples before the political
conflicts that led to the development of slavery, the passage to America, the enslavement
experience, abolition, and the history and contributions of Americans of the African diaspora to
society.
The history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, including the history of Japanese
internment camps and the incarceration of Japanese-Americans during World War II; the
immigration, citizenship, civil rights, identity, and culture of Asian Americans and Pacific
Islanders; and the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to American society.
The study of Hispanic contributions to the United States.
The study of women’s contributions to the United States.
The sacrifices that veterans and Medal of Honor recipients have made in serving our country
and protecting democratic values worldwide, with instruction occurring on or before Medal of
Honor Day, Veterans’ Day, and Memorial Day. Instructional staff is encouraged to use the
assistance of local veterans and Medal of Honor recipients.
49
44
FWC, Go Outdoors Florida – The official Licensing and Permitting site of the FWC!,
https://license.gooutdoorsflorida.com/Licensing/CustomerLookup.aspx (last visited January 8, 2024).
45
Licensing agents often include bait-and-tackle shops and sports retailers like Wal-Mart and Bass Pro Shop. FWC, FAQs:
Recreational Licenses, https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/faqs/ (last visited January 8, 2024). Individuals can look up local agents
through FWC’s locate an agent portal. FWC, Locate an Agent, available at
https://license.gooutdoorsflorida.com/Licensing/LocateAgent.aspx (last visited January 8, 2024).
46
FWC, How to Order, https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/how-to-order/ (last visited January 8, 2024).
47
FWC, FAQs: Recreational Licenses, https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/faqs/ (last visited January 8, 2024)
48
Ss. 1003.42(1)(a), F.S.
49
S. 1003.42(2)(a)-(u), F.S. STORAGE NAME: h1329b.APC PAGE: 7
DATE: 2/7/2024
Teachers must teach the topics specified in law efficiently and faithfully, using books and materials
meeting the highest standards for professionalism and historical accuracy, following the prescribed
courses of study, and employing approved methods of instruction.
50
Unless otherwise specified, the law
generally does not prescribe grade level, instructional hours, or instructional materials requirements for
these topics.
Effect of Proposed Changes
Veterans Florida
The bill provides that Veterans Florida is to serve as the state’s initial point of military transition
assistance for veterans and their spouses. The bill directs Veterans Florida to connect veterans or their
spouses with opportunities for entrepreneurship education, training, and resources and also inspire the
growth and development of veteran-owned small businesses. The bill requires Veterans Florida to
conduct marketing and recruiting efforts directed at veterans or their spouses within the target market.
The bill provides a definition for “target market” as:
Members and spouses of members of the United States Armed Forces with 24 months or less
until discharge;
Veterans with 36 months or less since discharge; and
Members of the Florida National Guard or reserves.
The bill provides that the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives may
appoint only one member from the body over which he or she presides. The bill removes the
requirement that Veterans Florida must contract with at least one entity to research and identify its
target market and the educational and employment needs of veterans and their spouses.
VETSP
The bill provides the following definitions:
“Secondary industry business” to mean a business that the state has an additional interest in
supporting and for which veterans and their spouses may have directly transferrable skills.
“Spouse” to mean a person who is married to a veteran, or a person who was married to a
veteran killed in action and is not remarried.
“Target industry business” to mean a business that is engaged in one of the target industries
identified pursuant to criteria developed by the Department of Commerce.
51
“Target market” to have the same meaning as the term is used for Veterans Florida programs.
The bill revises the duties of VETSP to focus on efforts within their target market and to assist those
veterans and spouses with finding employment in target industries or secondary industries. The bill
modifies VETSP’s grant program that provides funding to assist veterans in meeting the workforce-skill
needs by providing that the program must prioritize funding certificate, license, or nondegree training
from the Master Credentials list,
52
federally created certifications or licenses, and any skills-based
industry certifications or licenses deemed relevant or necessary by Veterans Florida. The bill provides
that the list of training expenses for which a qualified business may be reimbursed includes, but is not
limited to, the items enumerated in statute, but maintains an $8,000 maximum cost per veteran trainee.
o The bill also provides that grant funds may be used to provide grants to non-active duty
members of the United States Armed Forces for educational stipends while training at
any location of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
within the state. The bill requires Veterans Florida and the University of Florida to enter
into a grant agreement before any use of funds and provides the training must be
between four to six months in duration; and
50
S. 1003.42(2), F.S.
51
See s. 288.005(7), F.S., for the criteria developed by Department of Commerce, a list of business activities that would not be included
under the term, and qualifying conditions certain businesses must meet in order to be included under the term.
52
See s. 445.04(4)(h), F.S. STORAGE NAME: h1329b.APC PAGE: 8
DATE: 2/7/2024
The bill encourages Veterans Florida to collaborate with state agencies and other entities in order to
provide information on a website that links to state agencies and other entities that maintain benefits,
services, training, education, and other resources that are available to veterans and their spouses. The
bill provides a non-exhaustive list of entities and programs that Veterans Florida is encouraged to
collaborate with and promote.
Fees
Department of State
The bill provides that the Department of State may not charge veterans residing within the state fees for
filing articles of organization or incorporation, a certificate of limited partnership, a partnership
registration statement, or for the designation of a registered agent as required by general law.
Fish and Wildlife Conservation
The bill provides that honorably discharged disabled veterans of the United States who are separated
from service and are certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or by any branch of
the United States Armed Forces as having a 50 percent or greater service-connected disability do not
have to pay a fee in order to be issued a license or permit for hunting, freshwater fishing, or saltwater
fishing.
Council
The bill revises the membership of the Council in the following manner:
Eight members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives:
o Two members must have a brain injury or are family members of individuals who have a
brain injury;
o Two members must have a spinal cord injury or are family members of individuals who
have a spinal cord injury;
o Two members of the Council to be individuals who have, or who are family members of
individuals who have or had, a traumatic injury, chronic encephalopathy, or
subconcussive impacts due to sports; and
o Two veterans who have or have had a traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic
encephalopathy, or subconcussive impacts due to military service, or family members of
such veterans.
Six members shall be appointed by the state Surgeon General who are physicians, other allied
health professionals, administrators of brain and spinal cord injury programs, and
representatives from support groups that have expertise in areas related to the rehabilitation of
individuals who have brain or spinal cord injuries.
The bill provides that members shall serve staggered four-year terms of office, requires the Council to
meet quarterly basis, and provides that Council meetings may only adjourn via unanimous consent.
Required Instruction
The bill requires instruction on the history and importance of Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day including
two 45-minute lessons that occur on or before the respective holidays.
B. SECTION DIRECTORY:
Section 1: Amends s. 295.21, F.S., relating to Veterans Florida.
Section 2: Amends s. 295.22, F.S., relating to VETSP.
Section 3: Creates s. 295.25, F.S., providing an exemption for certain filing fees.
Section 4: Amends s. 379.353, F.S., providing an exemption for certain recreational licenses and
permits.
Section 5: Amends s. 381.78, F.S., relating to the Council.
Section 6: Amends s. 1003.42, F.S., relating to required instruction. STORAGE NAME: h1329b.APC PAGE: 9
DATE: 2/7/2024
Section 7: Amends s. 288.0001, F.S., relating to economic development programs evaluation.
Section 8: Reenacting s. 379.3581, F.S., relating to hunter safety courses.
Section 9: Reenacting s. 379.401, F.S., relating to FWC penalties and violations.
Section 10: Provides an effective date of July 1, 2024.
II. FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT:
1. Revenues:
FWC and the Department of State would lose some revenue typically generated from fees due the
exemptions provided for by the bill. The anticipated impact is indeterminant but likely insignificant
and can be absorbed within existing resources.
2. Expenditures:
Veterans Florida may have to expend additional funds in order to implement the expansion of duties
provided for by the bill. Additional educational support may be needed in order to carry out the
required educational instructions provided for by the bill.
The Legislature provides annual funding for Veterans Florida each year in the General
Appropriations Act (GAA). The House proposed GAA for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 includes $2 million
in nonrecurring funds for Veterans Florida.
Public schools may experience an indeterminant, likely insignificant fiscal impact with curriculum to
teach the required two 45-minute lessons on the history and importance of Veterans Day and
Memorial Day.
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR:
The FWC and Department of State revenues provided for by the bill will have a positive fiscal impact on
those who qualify.
D. FISCAL COMMENTS:
None.
III. COMMENTS
A. CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES:
1. Applicability of Municipality/County Mandates Provision:
Not applicable. This bill does not appear to affect county or municipal governments.
2. Other:
The bill neither authorizes nor requires rulemaking by executive branch agencies.
STORAGE NAME: h1329b.APC PAGE: 10
DATE: 2/7/2024
B. RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY:
None.
C. DRAFTING ISSUES OR OTHER COMMENTS:
None.
IV. AMENDMENTS/COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE CHANGES
None.