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 884
INTRODUCER: Senator Martin
SUBJECT: Florida State Guard
DATE: March 10, 2025
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Ingram Proctor MS Pre-meeting
2. ATD
3. FP
I. Summary:
SB 884 expands state benefits for members of the Florida State Guard (FSG), to include:
• Authorizing administrative leaves of absence for employees or officers of the state and its
political subdivisions who are members of the FSG that are engaged in FSG training. Such
administrative leave would preclude an employee or officer from losing vacation leave, pay,
time, or efficiency rating.
• Providing a 15-percent discount on annual entrance passes to state parks for current members
of the FSG. An FSG member is required to provide written documentation indicating his or
her eligibility in order to receive the discount.
• Establishing an annual Florida State Guard gold sportsman’s license for hunting and fishing
for members of the FSG. Upon presentation of a current FSG identification card, an FSG
member may purchase an annual Florida State Guard gold sportsman’s license for $34.48,
rather than the $98.50 charged for the annual gold sportsman’s license.
• Creating the Florida State Guard Scholarship Program (program), administered by the
Department of Education (DOE), to reward eligible FSG members enrolled in eligible
Florida public or independent postsecondary education institutions. The bill provides
eligibility criteria to receive a scholarship under the program and to receive continued
scholarship funding. The DOE is required to issue rewards in a specified manner and the
program is subject to appropriation by the Legislature. The State Board of Education and the
Board of Governors are directed to adopt rules and regulations, respectively, to implement
the program.
The bill may have an indeterminate negative fiscal impact. See Section V. Fiscal Impact
Statement.
The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.
REVISED: BILL: SB 884 Page 2
II. Present Situation:
Florida State Guard
The Florida State Guard (FSG) was created in 2022
1
as a component of the organized guard of
the state, separate and apart from the Florida National Guard (FNG). The FSG is a state-funded
volunteer force that partners with the FNG and other disaster response agencies to ensure
communities are provided with humanitarian assistance and rapid response during manmade and
natural disasters.
2,3
The FSG is under the command and control of the governor and is authorized for exclusive use
within the state when activated by the Governor
4
or for use in other states for specific purposes.
5
The FSG may not be called, ordered, or drafted into the armed forces of the United States and is
authorized to have a maximum number of 1,500 volunteer personnel.
6
As of March 4, 2025, the
Florida State Guard is anticipated to have a year-end strength of over 1,000 soldiers.
7
The Division of the State Guard (division) within the Department of Military Affairs is
responsible for the organization, recruitment, training, equipping, management, and functions of
the FSG. The division is led by a director who is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the
governor.
8
Subject to approval by the Governor, the director determines the number of volunteer
personnel within the FSG.
9
Members of the FSG must:
• Be citizens of the United States and residents of Florida;
• Have no felony conviction and submit fingerprints as required by state and federal law for
purposes of conducting a criminal background check;
• Not be an active duty servicemember, a member of the armed forces reserves, or a member
of the FNG; and
• Have been separated under terms no less than a general discharge under honorable conditions
if the applicant is a former member of the armed forces or of any military or naval
organization of a state.
10
1
The Florida State Guard (FSG) was created via the Implementing Act of the General Appropriations Act for the 2022-23
fiscal year, Ch. 2022-157, s. 80, Laws of Fla., and is codified in statutes as s. 251.001, F.S., the Florida State Guard Act.
2
The FSG, FAQ-Application Process, available at https://www.floridastateguard.org/application-faq (last visited Mar. 4,
2025).
3
Executive Office of the Governor, More Border Support: Governor Ron DeSantis Sends Additional Florida National Guard
and Florida State Guard to Assist Texas (February 1, 2024), available at https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2024/more-
border-support-governor-ron-desantis-sends-additional-florida-national-guard (last visited Mar. 4, 2025).
4
Section 251.001(2), F.S.
5
The FSG is authorized to support other states under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) as provided
for in part III of ch. 252, F.S. Section 251.001(8)(a)4., F.S.
6
Section 251.001(2), F.S.
7
The FSG, Video Release: Florida State Guard Enhances, Personnel Strength with 160+ New Soldiers (Mar. 4, 2025),
available at https://www.floridastateguard.org/post/video-release-florida-state-guard-enhances-personnel-strength-with-160-
new-soldiers (last visited Mar. 5, 2025).
8
Section 251.001(3), F.S.
9
Section 251.001(5)(a), F.S.
10
Section 251.001(5)(c), F.S. BILL: SB 884 Page 3
The director determines the minimum standards for the age, physical and health condition, and
physical fitness of applicants
11
and a training program for members of the FSG.
12
The standards
and training program determined by the director may be no less than the standards and training
requirements required by the FNG.
13
Members of the FSG are reimbursed for per diem and travel
expenses incurred to attend required training or in the course of active service.
14
FSG members
may be compensated for time spent training or in the course of active service at rates established
by the director, which is subject to legislative appropriation.
15
While activated or in training,
FSG members are not liable for any lawful act done in the performance of his or her FSG duties
while acting in good faith within the scope of such duties. In addition, while activated or in
training, FSG members are considered volunteers for the state, and are entitled to workers’
compensation protections pursuant to chapter 440, F.S., and are guaranteed the same protections
as members of the FNG.
16
The FSG may be activated by order of the Governor:
• During any period when any part of the FNG is in active federal service and the governor has
declared a state of emergency;
• To preserve the public peace, execute the laws of the state, enhance domestic security,
respond to terrorist threats or attacks, protect and defend the people of the state from threats
to public safety, respond to an emergency
17
or imminent danger thereof, or respond to any
need for emergency aid to civil authorities;
• To augment any existing state or local agency; or
• To provide support to other states under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
18
The FSG is deactivated at the expiration of the Governor’s activation order or by a separate order
by the Governor deactivating the FSG.
19
The director is also responsible for organizing a specialized unit within the FSG in which
members are vested with authority to bear arms, detect, and apprehend while activated.
20
Members of the specialized unit must meet the minimum qualifications for employment or
appointment as a law enforcement officer defined in law
21
and are certified as law enforcement
officers.
22
The specialized unit is authorized to have the same law enforcement authority as the
law enforcement agency the specialized group is working with when activated.
23
11
Section 251.001(5)(d), F.S.
12
Section 251.001(7), F.S.
13
Id.
14
Section 251.001(9)(a), F.S.
15
Section 251.001(9)(b), F.S.
16
Section 251.001(10), F.S.
17
Section 252.34(4), F.S., defines the term “emergency” to mean any occurrence, or threat thereof, whether natural,
technological, or manmade, in war or in peace, which results or may result in substantial injury or harm to the population or
substantial damage to or loss of property.
18
Section 251.001(8)(a), F.S.
19
Section 251.001(8)(b), F.S.
20
Section 251.001(6), F.S.
21
Such qualifications are provided in s. 943.13, F.S.
22
Members must be certified as law enforcement officers as defined by s. 943.10(1), F.S.
23
Section 251.001(6), F.S. BILL: SB 884 Page 4
Leaves of Absence for Servicemembers
Any officer or employee of the state or its political subdivisions, including school districts, who
is a member of the FNG is entitled to a leave of absence for up to 30 days without loss of pay,
time, or efficiency rating, when engaged in state active duty for a named event, declared disaster,
or operation.
24
Under Ch. 115, F.S., the Florida Legislature’s intent is to safeguard the state and national
security through a strong armed force of qualified and mobilization-ready personnel. Officers or
employees of the state, of the several counties of the state, and of the municipalities or political
subdivisions of the state who are commissioned reserve officers or reserve enlisted personnel in
the United States military or naval service or members of the National Guard, are granted up to
240 hours of administrative leave per year on days during which such officers or employees are
engaged in training that is ordered under the provisions of the United States military or naval
training regulations for such personnel when assigned to active or inactive duty.
25
In accordance
with s. 115.07, F.S., such administrative military leave of absence for training is provided
without loss of vacation leave, pay, time, or efficiency rating. If the administrative leave of
absence for training is necessary beyond the 240 hours for military assignment, such leave may
be granted without loss of time or efficiency rating, however, such leave will be without pay.
26
When an employee's assigned employment duty conflicts with ordered active or inactive military
duty training, the employing agency of the state or political subdivision is responsible for
providing a substitute employee, if necessary, for the assumption of such employment duty while
the employee is on assignment for the military training.
27
Recreation Benefits for Servicemembers and Veterans
State Parks Entrance Fees
The Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Division of Recreation and Parks may
charge reasonable fees, rentals, or charges for the use or operation of facilities and concessions in
state parks.
28
All fees, rentals, and charges collected are deposited into the State Treasury for the
benefit of the State Park Trust Fund. Monies collected in the State Park Trust Fund are to be used
for the administration, improvement, and maintenance of state parks and for purchasing and
developing land for state park purposes.
29
Under current law, the following discounts on state park fees apply with written documentation
to:
24
National Guard members who are officers or employees of the state, of any county or school district of the state, or of any
municipality or political subdivision of the state, are also entitled to leave of absence when engaged in active state duty for a
named event, declared disaster, or operation pursuant to s. 250.28 or s. 252.36. However, the leave of absence may not
exceed 30 days for each emergency or disaster, as established by executive order. Section 250.48, F.S.
25
Section 115.07(1), F.S.
26
Section 115.07(2), F.S.
27
Section 115.07(3), F.S.
28
Section 258.014(1)(a), F.S.
29
Id. BILL: SB 884 Page 5
• Active duty members and honorably discharged veterans of the United States Armed Forces
(U.S.A.F.), National Guard, or reserve components: 25-percent discount on annual entrance
passes.
30
• Honorably discharged veterans who have service-connected disabilities: lifetime family
annual entrance passes at no charge.
31
• Surviving spouses and parents of a deceased member of the U.S.A.F., a reserve component,
or the National Guard, who died in combat: lifetime family annual entrance passes at no
charge.
32
Recreational Licenses
General law and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) rules prohibit
the taking of game, freshwater or saltwater fish, or fur-bearing animals within this state without
having first obtained a license, permit, or authorization number and paid the associated fees.
33
Resident and nonresident hunting and fishing licenses and permits and their associated fees are
set out in statute.
34
Under current law, a member of the U.S.A.F. stationed in the state and his or her family member
who resides with the U.S.A.F. member is considered a resident of this state for purposes of
applying for a hunting, fishing, or other recreational license.
35
In addition, a member of the FSG,
who is a resident of the state as required in general law
36
qualifies for those same resident license
applications. A resident pays reduced fees on licenses, such as paying $15.50 for an annual
freshwater or saltwater fishing license, rather than $45.50; $15.50 for an annual hunting license
to take game, rather than $150; and $46.50 for the option of an annual combined hunting,
freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing license (no such option is available for a combination
license for a nonresident).
37
Additionally, disabled veterans; active duty or reserve duty servicemembers of the U.S.A.F., the
U.S. Coast Guard, military reserves, the FNG, or the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve; the immediate
family, such as a parent, spouse, or child, of such disabled veterans and servicemembers; and one
additional person designated to assist a disabled veteran, are exempt from having to possess a
hunting, freshwater fishing, or saltwater fishing license or permit during outdoor recreational
events permitted by the FWC whose primary purpose is the rehabilitation or enjoyment of
disabled veterans.
38
An annual military gold sportsman’s license is available to a state resident who is an active or
retired member of the U.S.A.F., U.S.A.F. Reserve, the National Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard, or
the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.
39
The fee for the annual military gold sportsman’s license is
30
Section 258.0145(1), F.S.
31
Section 258.0145(2), F.S.
32
Section 258.0145(3), F.S.
33
Section 379.354(1), F.S.
34
Section 379.354, F.S.
35
Section 379.101(30)(b)1., F.S.
36
Section 251.001(5)(c)1., F.S.
37
Compare s. 379.354(4) with s. 379.354(5), F.S.
38
Section 379.353(2)(q), F.S.
39
Section 379.354(4)(j), F.S. BILL: SB 884 Page 6
$18.50, rather than the $98.50 charged for the annual gold sportsman’s license, which authorizes
the same activities.
40
Activities authorized under both licenses include the taking of freshwater
fish, saltwater fish, and game, subject to state and federal law, rules, and regulations.
41
Other
eligible activities include those authorized by a management area permit, a muzzle-loading gun
season permit, a crossbow season permit, a turkey permit, a Florida waterfowl permit, a deer
permit, an archery season permit, a snook permit, and a spiny lobster permit.
42
Scholarship and Grant Programs
The Department of Education (DOE) administers several post-secondary scholarship and grant
programs identified in ch. 1009, F.S., created and established for students with a variety of needs
and academic backgrounds and goals.
No student is eligible to receive more than one state scholarship that is based on academic merit.
Students who qualify for more than one such scholarship are notified of all awards for which
they qualify and are provided the opportunity to accept one of their choosing.
43
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
One of the scholarship programs that DOE administers is the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
Program, a lottery-funded scholarship program for Florida high school graduates who merit high
academic achievement and enroll in a degree, certificate, or applied technology program at an
eligible Florida public or private postsecondary education institution.
44,45
In order to meet the initial requirements to be eligible for a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
Program award, a Florida high school student must:
46
• Be a Florida resident for no less than 1 year preceding an award.
47
• Earn a Florida high school diploma, or a substitution identified in current law.
48
• Be accepted by and enrolled for at least 6 credit hours or its equivalency in an eligible
Florida public or independent postsecondary education institution.
49
• Not have been found guilty of, or entered a plea of nolo contendere to, a felony charge,
unless the student has been granted clemency by the Governor and Cabinet sitting as the
Executive Office of Clemency.
50
• Apply for a scholarship from the program by high school graduation.
51
40
Section 379.354(4)(i) and (j), F.S.
41
Id.
42
Id.
43
Section 1009.40(4), F.S.
44
Section 1009.53(1), F.S.
45
Florida Dep’t of Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance, Florida Student Scholarship Grant Programs,
available at https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/SAPBFMAIN/SAPBFMAIN (last visited Mar 10, 2025).
46
Section 1009.531(1), F.S., identifies initial eligibility criteria.
47
Section 1009.531(1)(a), F.S.
48
Section 1009.531(1)(b), F.S.
49
Section 1009.531(1)(c) and (d), F.S.
50
Section 1009.531(1)(e), F.S.
51
Section 1009.531(1)(f), F.S. BILL: SB 884 Page 7
There are four awards through the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program, including the
Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) award,
52
the Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) award,
53
the
Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars (GSC) award, and the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars
(GSVS) award.
54
Florida high school students must meet certain academic eligibility
requirements in order to qualify for the FAS award,
55
the FMS award,
56
the GSC award,
57
or the
GSVS award.
58
William L. Boyd, IV, Effective Access to Student Education Grant Program
The DOE administers the William L. Boyd, IV, Effective Access to Student Education (EASE)
program.
59
The EASE grant program provides tuition assistance to Florida undergraduate
students attending an eligible private, nonprofit Florida college or university.
60
The program is
not related to a student’s financial need or other criteria upon which financial aid programs are
based.
61
In order to meet the initial eligibility requirements of the EASE grant program, a student must:
• Meet the general requirements for student eligibility for state financial aid awards and tuition
assistance grants provided under s. 1009.40, F.S.
• Be a Florida resident for no less than 1 year preceding an award.
62
• Be accepted by and enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at an eligible college or
university in a program of study leading to a baccalaureate degree.
63
• Not be enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree in theology or divinity.
64
• Be making satisfactory academic progress as defined by the State Board of Education.
65
• Not have completed more than 110 percent of the degree program in which he or she is
enrolled.
66
To participate in the EASE program, the institutions must meet all of the following criteria:
• Be an independent nonprofit college or university.
• Be located in and chartered by the state of Florida.
• Be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on
Colleges.
• Grant baccalaureate degrees.
52
Section 1009.534, F.S.
53
Section 1009.535, F.S.
54
Section 1009.536, F.S.
55
See Florida Department of Education, 2024-25 Bright Futures Student Handbook, Chapter 1: Initial Eligibility
Requirements available at https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/pdf/bfhandbookchapter1.pdf, at 3.
56
Id.
57
Id.at 8.
58
Id. at 6.
59
Section 1009.89(2), F.S. See also Rule 6A-20.007, F.A.C.
60
Section 1009.89(1), (3), and (4), F.S.
61
Section 1009.89(1), F.S.
62
Section 1009.40(1)(a)2., F.S.
63
Section 1009.89(4)(b), F.S.
64
Id.
65
Id.
66
Id. BILL: SB 884 Page 8
• Not be a state university
67
or Florida College System institution.
68
• Have a secular purpose, so long as the receipt of state aid by students at the institution would
not have the primary effect of advancing or impeding religion or result in an excessive
entanglement between the state and any religious group.
69
Funding for the EASE program is provided for in the General Appropriations Act.
70
During the
2021 Regular Session, the Legislature required an institution which receives EASE funding to
submit an accountability report to the DOE by September 1 of each year.
71
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
SB 884 amends s. 115.07, F.S., authorizing officers or employees of the state, of the several
counties of the state, and of the municipalities or political subdivisions of the state who are FSG
members administrative leaves of absence from their respective employment duties while
engaged in training at the direction of the FSG. Such administrative leave, not to exceed 240
working hours annually, will be without loss of vacation leave, pay, time, or efficiency rating.
The employing agency of the state or local government is responsible for providing a substitute
employee, if needed for the assumption of employment duties while the employee is on
assignment for his or her FSG training. The bill also amends the intent in which the Legislature
supports the state and national security through a strong armed force of qualified and
mobilization ready personnel by granting administrative leaves of absence to FSG members.
The bill amends s. 258.0145, F.S., by directing the DEP’s Division of Recreation and Parks to
provide current members of the FSG with a 15-percent discount on annual entrance passes to
state parks if such a member presents written documentation satisfactory to DEP’s Division of
Recreation and Parks which indicates the FSG member’s eligibility.
The bill amends s. 379.354, F.S., establishing an annual Florida State Guard gold sportsman’s
license. A resident who is a current member of the FSG may purchase an annual Florida State
Guard gold sportsman’s license for $34.48, upon presentation of a current FSG identification
card. The annual Florida State Guard gold sportsman license authorizes the same activities as the
annual gold sportsman license, which include the taking of freshwater fish, saltwater fish, and
game, subject to state and federal law, rules, and regulations.
72
Other eligible activities include
those authorized by a management area permit, a muzzle-loading gun season permit, a crossbow
season permit, a turkey permit, a Florida waterfowl permit, a deer permit, an archery season
permit, a snook permit, and a spiny lobster permit.
73
The bill creates s. 1009.8959, F.S., establishing the Florida State Guard Scholarship Program
(program), under the administration of the DOE in accordance with the rules and regulations
67
Section 1000.21(9), F.S., defines state university by listing all of the institutions and specifies that branch campuses,
centers, or other affiliates of the identified institutions in the list are included.
68
Section 1000.21(5), F.S., defines Florida College System institution by listing all of the institutions, and specifies that
branch campuses, centers, or other affiliates of the identified institutions in the list are included.
69
Section 1009.89(3), F.S.
70
Section 1009.89(5), F.S.
71
Section. 4, ch. 2021-46, Laws of Fla. Section 1009.89(5)(c), F.S.
72
379.354(4)(i), F.S.
73
Id. BILL: SB 884 Page 9
established by the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors, respectively, to reward
members of the Florida State Guard enrolled in eligible Florida public or independent
postsecondary educational institutions.
The bill provides eligibility criteria an individual must meet in order to be a scholarship recipient
under the program. The individual must:
• Have completed 4 years of active service with the FSG;
• Have graduated with a standard high school diploma or its equivalent;
• Be a current or former member of the FSG in good standing as determined by rules adopted
by the director of the FSG;
• Have not yet earned a baccalaureate degree; and
• Be enrolled in a career certificate or an associate or a baccalaureate degree program at a state
university, a Florida College System institution, or an independent Florida college or
university that is eligible to participate in the EASE grant program under s. 1009.89, F.S.
Upon becoming a scholarship recipient and in order to receive continued funding under the
program, the individual must:
• Enroll in at least 6 credit hours per semester; and
• Earn at least 24 semester credit hours in the last academic year or the academic year in which
he or she earned the scholarship, if he or she was enrolled as a full-time student; or a prorated
number of credit hours as determined by the DOE if the student was enrolled for less than
full time for any part of the academic year.
The DOE is required to issue rewards as follows:
• Students enrolled in a state university or a Florida College System institution are eligible for
an award equal to 100 percent of tuition and fees.
• Students enrolled in an eligible independent Florida college or university are eligible for a
fixed award calculated by using the average tuition and fee calculation as prescribed by the
DOE for full-time attendance at a public postsecondary education institution at the
comparable level.
• A stipend for textbooks if the Legislature appropriates sufficient funding to cover the cost of
such stipends.
• Students may receive an award for a maximum of 100 percent of the number of credits
required to complete a baccalaureate degree program.
The DOE must issue awards from the program annually, subject to the appropriation of funds by
the Legislature. If funds appropriated are not adequate to provide the maximum allowable award
to each eligible applicant, awards in all components of the program must be prorated using the
same percentage reduction.
The State Board of Education and the Board of Governors must adopt rules and regulations,
respectively, to implement this program.
This bill takes effect July 1, 2025. BILL: SB 884 Page 10
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
Article VII, section 18 (a) of the Florida Constitution provides in part that a county or
municipality may not be bound by a general law requiring a county or municipality to
spend funds or take an action that requires the expenditure of funds unless certain
specified exemptions or exceptions are met.
The bill authorizes administrative leaves of absence for officers or employees of the state,
of the several counties of the state, and of the municipalities or political subdivisions of
the state who are FSG members from their employment duties while engaged in training
at the direction of the FSG. Such administrative leave, up to 240 working hours annually,
will be without loss of vacation leave, pay, time, or efficiency rating. In addition, the
employing governmental agency is also responsible for providing a substitute employee,
if needed for the assumption of employment duties while the FSG member is on
assignment for his or her FSG training.
If the bill does qualify as a mandate, in order to be binding upon cities and counties, the
bill must contain a finding of important state interest and be approved by a two-thirds
vote of the membership of each house.
However, the mandate requirements do not apply to laws having an insignificant fiscal
impact, which for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 is forecast at approximately $2.4 million.
74,75,76
The Revenue Estimating Conference has not reviewed this bill. If the costs imposed by
the bill exceed $2.4 million, the mandates provisions may apply. If the bill does qualify
as a mandate, in order to be binding upon cities and counties, the bill must contain a
finding of important state interest and be approved by a two-thirds vote of the
membership of each house.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
74
FLA. CONST. art. VII, s. 18(d).
75
An insignificant fiscal impact is the amount not greater than the average statewide population for the applicable fiscal year
times $0.10. See Florida Senate Committee on Community Affairs, Interim Report 2012-115: Insignificant Impact, (Sept.
2011), available at https://www.flsenate.gov/PublishedContent/Session/2012/InterimReports/2012-115ca.pdf (last visited
Mar. 7, 2025).
76
Based on the Florida Demographic Estimating Conference’s February 4, 2025, population forecast for 2025 of 23,332,606.
The conference packet is available at: https://edr.state.fl.us/content/conferences/population/ConferenceResults_Tables.pdf
(last visited Mar. 7, 2025). BILL: SB 884 Page 11
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:
FSG members will be able to purchase discounted state park annual passes and a Florida
State Guard gold sportsman’s license. In addition, current and former FSG members may
also be eligible to receive a scholarship reward to attend an eligible state university,
Florida College System institution, or an independent Florida college or university.
C. Government Sector Impact:
The FSG is authorized to have a maximum number of 1,500 volunteer personnel.
77
The
FSG have indicated they expect to have over 1,000 volunteers by the end of 2025,
78
however, the actual number of FSG members may vary at any given time.
The revision to s. 115.07, F.S., applies to FSG members who are officers or employees of
the state, of the several counties of the state, and of the municipalities or political
subdivisions of the state. The cost to the state and the counties of the state, and the
municipalities or political subdivisions of the state is indeterminate, though likely
negative, due to the varying number of FSG members at any given time and whether they
are employees of the state and its political subdivisions. In addition, the impact to the
state and its political subdivisions is also contingent on the indeterminate number of
hours for training, differing employee salary and benefits costs, and existing
governmental entity contingency policies covering workloads during an absence of FSG
members.
The provision for a 15-percent discount on annual state park entrance passes may have an
indeterminate fiscal impact on the State Park Trust Fund. The number of FSG members
who may or may not purchase the annual state park entrance passes is indeterminate. This
may lead to an insignificant increase in revenue for the State Park Trust Fund or an
insignificant decrease in revenue for the State Park Trust Fund depending on the number
of FSG members who currently purchase annual state park entrance passes each year.
77
Section 251.001(2), F.S.
78
The FSG, supra note 7. BILL: SB 884 Page 12
The creation of the annual Florida State Guard gold sportsman’s license may have an
indeterminate fiscal impact to the state. The number of FSG members who may have
purchased a fishing, hunting, sportsman’s, or gold sportsman’s annual license in the past
and the number of FSG members who may purchase such licenses in the future is
indeterminate. The difference in the fee for the annual Florida State Guard gold
sportsman’s license, $34.48, and an annual gold sportsman’s license, $98.50,
79
is $64.02.
The creation of the Florida State Guard Scholarship Program may have an indeterminate
negative fiscal impact should the Legislature appropriate funds to the program.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
The bill does not provide for the execution of an agreement with the Florida State Guard
Scholarship Program recipient which could address rule compliance or the release of information
from institutions to track course enrollment and completion. The bill does not define any courses
of study that may not be authorized, such as repeat courses, noncredit courses, and courses that
do not meet degree requirements. In addition, the bill does not provide for repayment of tuition
and fees or penalties for noncompliance with program requirements, such as scholastic probation
of the scholarship recipient.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill substantially amends the following sections of the Florida Statutes: 115.07, 258.0145,
and 379.354.
This bill creates section 1009.8959 of the 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.
79
Section 379.354(4)(i), F.S.