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: SB 1732
INTRODUCER: Senator Wright
SUBJECT: Veterans’ Assistance
DATE: January 26, 2024
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Brown Proctor MS Pre-meeting
2. AHS
3. FP
I. Summary:
SB 1732 enhances and expands the current role of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
(FDVA) in conducting outreach of services and benefits for veterans and their families or
survivors. Subject to a $500,000 annual appropriation, the FDVA must expand its Internet-based,
mobile application, print, social media, and in-person outreach programs for the purpose of
connecting veterans and their families or survivors with earned services, benefits, and support
beyond existing efforts.
The FDVA must annually host at least two public events to disseminate information on benefits
and services to in-person and virtual attendees. Information disseminated must include, but is not
limited to, educational, medical, insurance, and disability benefits.
The bill requires the FDVA to annually submit a report to the Governor, President of the Senate,
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The report must include the number of public
events hosted by the FDVA, the number of attendees at each event, and other information the
FDVA deems necessary.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2024.
II. Present Situation:
Veterans in Florida
Other than California and Texas, Florida has the third largest population of veterans.
1
More than
1.4 million veterans reside in the state, which is 12 percent of the state’s population of adults
aged 18 and over.
2
Additionally, Florida has the second largest population of veterans who are
1
Dep’t of Veterans’ Affairs, Our Veterans, available at https://www.floridavets.org/our-veterans/ (last visited Jan. 17, 2024).
2
Id.
REVISED: BILL: SB 1732 Page 2
women, at more than 168,000. Women veterans are one of the fastest growing among the
veterans’ population.
3
State Benefits for Veterans
In addition to federal benefits, veterans in the state have available a multitude of benefits.
The FDVA educates and provides assistance to veterans on accessing services and benefits in
housing, health care, disability claims, education, burial benefits, and employment including
veterans’ preference.
4
The FDVA also annually produces the Florida Veterans’ Benefits Guide, which helps connect
veterans and their families with earned federal and state benefits, services and support. It also
contains useful phone numbers and website addresses to provide additional information to
veterans, and a comprehensive listing of current services and benefits available to veterans in the
state.
5
Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
The FDVA has a key role in the connection of veterans and their families with earned benefits,
services, and support, and has an outreach, marketing and branding campaign currently
underway to make those connections. The FDVA campaign employs social media in its
messaging through Twitter (now “X”), Facebook, and LinkedIn, in addition to the FDVA
website FloridaVets.org, a FDVA mobile application, a YouTube Channel with FDVA public
service announcements, and the annual benefits guide.
6
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
SB 1732 creates s. 295.235, F.S., to require, subject to an annual appropriation of $500,000 by
the Legislature, the FDVA to enhance and expand its Internet-based, mobile application, print,
social media, and in-person outreach programs for the purpose of connecting veterans and their
families or survivors with earned services, benefits, and support beyond existing efforts.
The bill requires that the FDVA must use the appropriated funds to annually host at least two
public events to disseminate information on benefits and services to in-person and virtual
attendees. Information disseminated must include, but is not limited to, educational, medical,
insurance, and disability benefits.
The bill requires the FDVA to annually submit a report to the Governor, President of the Senate,
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The report must include the number of public
3
Dep’t of Veterans’ Affairs, Women Veterans, available at https://floridavets.org/our-veterans/women-veterans/ (last visited
Jan. 17, 2024).
4
Dep’t of Veterans’ Affairs, Benefits & Services, available at https://www.floridavets.org/benefits-services/ (last visited Jan.
17, 2024).
5
Dep’t of Veterans’ Affairs, Florida Veterans’ Benefits Guide, available at https://floridavets.org/resources/va-benefits-
guide/ (last visited Jan. 18, 2024).
6
Dep’t of Veterans’ Affairs, 2024 Agency Legislative Bill Analysis, SB 1732, July 1, 2024 (on file with the Senate Committee
on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security). BILL: SB 1732 Page 3
events hosted by the FDVA, the number of attendees at each event, and other information the
FDVA deems necessary.
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:
Although the bill provides an expanded role for the FDVA, the role is conditioned on an
annual $500,000 appropriation by the Legislature.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None. BILL: SB 1732 Page 4
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill creates section 295.235, Florida Statutes.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.