The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
BILL: CS/SB 346
INTRODUCER: Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security and Senators
Ingoglia and Yarborough
SUBJECT: Special Observances
DATE: January 10, 2024
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Brown Proctor MS Fav/CS
2. CA
3. RC
Please see Section IX. for Additional Information:
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE - Substantial Changes
I. Summary:
CS/SB 346 designates the month of November each year as Veterans Appreciation Month, as a
replacement in law to Veterans Week. The Governor may annually issue a proclamation
designating Veterans Appreciation Month and encourage counties, municipalities, public
schools, and state residents to observe the occasion through providing special programs and
events to honor veterans.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2024.
II. Present Situation:
Legal Holidays and Observances
Examples of legal holidays are New Year’s Day (January 1), Memorial Day (the last Monday in
May), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (the first Monday in September), Thanksgiving
Day (the fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas Day (December 25).
1
1
Section 683.01, F.S.
REVISED: BILL: CS/SB 346 Page 2
In addition to legal holidays, special observances are recognized and observed by the state.
Special observance days include Law Enforcement Memorial Day
2
, Arbor Day
3
, and Law Day
and Law Week
4
.
Veterans Recognition Days
The legal holiday of Veterans’ Day is annually celebrated November 11.
5
In addition to the one-
day holiday, the 2023 Legislature enacted as a special observance a Veterans Week.
6
Veterans
Week begins with the Sunday preceding November 11 of each year. If November 11 is on a
Sunday, Veterans Week begins that day. If the Governor proclaims a Veterans Week, public
officials, schools, private organizations, and state residents are called upon to mark the
observance by honoring veterans who answered the call in war and peace.
7
Veterans in Florida
Population
Ranked lower than only California and Texas for number of veteran residents, Florida has the
third largest population of veterans in the nation.
8
In excess of 1.4 million veterans reside in
Florida. The number of veterans in Florida represents 12 percent of the state’s population of
persons who are at least 18 years old.
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Medal of Honor Recipients
The highest military decoration awarded by the U.S. government, the Medal of Honor is
bestowed by the President on behalf of Congress.
10
The Medal of Honor is conferred only upon
members of the U.S. Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through “conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty.”
11
According to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, 24 Medal of Honor recipients have
been accredited to Florida.
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III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
CS/SB 346 amends s. 683.1475, F.S., to replace Veterans Week with a Veterans Appreciation
Month. Veterans Appreciation Month will run the full month of November. In support of this
2
Section 683.115, F.S.
3
Section 683.04, F.S.
4
Section 683.22, F.S.
5
Section 683.01(1)(q), F.S.
6
Section 683.1474, F.S.; s 4, ch. 2023-162, Laws of Fla.
7
Section 683.1475(2), F.S.
8
Florida Dep’t of Veterans Affairs, FDVA - Our Veterans, available at https://www.floridavets.org/our-veterans/ (last visited
Dec. 13, 2023).
9
Id.
10
U.S. Dep’t of Defense, Honors for Valor, available at https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Experience/honors-for-valor/
(last visited Dec. 13, 2023).
11
Id.
12
Congressional Medal of Honor Society, The Recipients, available at https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/overview
(last visited Dec. 13, 2023). BILL: CS/SB 346 Page 3
month, the Governor may annually issue a proclamation designating Veterans Appreciation
Month and encourage counties, municipalities, public schools, and state residents to observe the
occasion through providing special programs and events to honor veterans.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2024.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None identified.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
As local entities are encouraged but not required to celebrate Veteran Appreciation
Month with activities and events, a fiscal impact is not expected.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None. BILL: CS/SB 346 Page 4
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill amends section 683.1475 of the Florida Statutes.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Substantial Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
CS by Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security on January 9,
2024:
Provides in law for a Veterans Appreciation Month as a replacement for Veterans
Week; and
Authorizes the Governor to annually proclaim a Veterans Appreciation Month and
encourage local entities and state residents to observe the occasion through special
programming and events.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.