As Chair of the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space and Domestic Security Committee, I was honored to work closely with our military community and legislators to make Florida the most military friendly State in the nation. As a member of the House, I continue to fight up in Tallahassee for our brave service members, families, and veterans.
On July 1, 2020 , I was honored to be appointed by the Speaker of the Florida House to serve as Chairman of the statewide Florida Defense Support Task Force(which I have been a member of since 2018). This is an extremely important institution tasked with working with Florida’s Bases to prevent encroachment maintaining and expanding the missions of Florida’s military installations and strengthening state support for military families and veterans
Additionally, I want to share with you some key initiatives that we have worked on up in Tallahassee:
2020
HB 167- Florida Veterans Protection Act
Authorizes a separate first-degree felony charge and increases penalties against someone who commits certain white-collar crimes against veterans
HB 171
Allows college-level training and education performed in the military to be accepted in place of credit or career education clock hours in State Higher Education Institutions
HB 197
Protects military families by prohibiting the Department of Children and Families from considering military service-related absences of a parent or caregiver when determining if a child is abandoned.
HB 205
Expands the definition of stolen valor in State Law to include those who falsely claim to have served in the military for the purpose of seeking public employment or running for office
HB 445
Makes it easier for transferred military families to enroll their child in a district public school or charter school and updates the high school grading system to factor in scores achieved by students on the Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Test
HB 687
Would have expanded mental health and substance abuse programs in the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
HJR 877 and HB 879
Places a measure on the ballot in November 2020 to authorize the surviving spouse of a veteran to continue receiving the discount on ad valorem tax on homestead properties for veterans who were honorably discharged and disabled due to combat.
HB 1085
Would have allowed all judicial circuits in the State to create a Veterans Treatment Court in order to create alternatives to traditional prosecutions for veterans
HB 1249
Gives flexible to veterans seeking certain property tax exemptions on homesteads
2019
HB 217
Similar to HB 171 of 2020
HB 225
Requires public schools to allow students to wear dress uniforms of the Armed Forces or Nation Guard at graduation ceremonies
HB 427
Designates the Honor and Remember Flag as an emblem of the state to honor those service members who gave their lives in the line of duty and requiring the flag to be displayed on certain days and allowing local governments to display the flag
HB 501
Expands alternative treatment options such has hyperbaric oxygen therapy, acupuncture, and others for veterans diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder
HB 891
Strengthens policies that prevent encroachment on military installations, creates the Blue Angels license plate, and makes it easier for families to transfer their child to a new school
HM 1281
Urges Congress to support creation of the United States Space Force and to establish Florida as the home of Space Force and US Space Command
HB 7125
This criminal justice reform package includes provisions that authorizes the Department of Corrections to contract with Veteran Advocacy Clinics to help veteran inmates apply for assistance benefits upon release from a penal institution in order to combat reentry
2018
HB 29
Titled the “Don Hahnfeldt Veteran and Military Family Opportunity Act” in honor of Representative Hahnfeldt, a former US Navy Submarine Captain who sadly passed before session. This bill helps make it easier for service members, veterans, and their families to do business in Florida by expanding waivers for licensing Fees and expanding eligibility for receiving training grants and participating in entrepreneurship programs. This bill also gives priority attendance for Florida Virtual School to children of out-of-state service members whose legal residence is Florida and establishes March 25th as “Medal of Honor Day” in the State of Florida.
HB 75
Helps make college more affordable by authorizing Florida College System to waive any portion of specified fees that are not covered by the Department of Defense Military Tuition Assistance Program.
HB 333
Exempts veterans of Special Operation Forces from the basic recruit training in the process to become a law enforcement officer.
SB 100
Creates an exemption from local business taxes for veterans and their spouses, eliminates a fee to display the word “Veteran” on a Driver’s License or I.D. Card, and expands the forms of identity a veteran can present to the DHSMV
HB 7087
The Florida First Tax Package included a provision that removed the requirement that a surviving spouse of a disabled veteran be married for at least 5 years before being entitled to the $5,000 property tax exemption
2017
HB 615
Expanded licensing fee waivers for military members, veterans, and their families and extended the time of good standing from 6 months to 2 years after discharge for boards and programs under the DBPR.
2016
SB 7016
Ensures that all children in Florida have every opportunity to achieve academic success. The Bill extends the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, which was set to expire in 2016.
HB 799
Assists active duty members of the United States Armed Forces who reside or who are stationed outside Florida to receive a postsecondary education.
HB 1157
Expands the mechanism through which eligible members of the U.S. Armed Forces can earn college credit for military experience.
SB 626
Provides greater consumer protections for service members and their dependents in connection with a broad range of consumer credit transactions.
SB 184
Creates the Military and Overseas Voting Assistance Task Force within the Florida Department of State for the purpose of studying the feasibility of an online voting system that would allow members of the uniformed services who are overseas to electronically submit voted ballots.
On July 1, 2020 , I was honored to be appointed by the Speaker of the Florida House to serve as Chairman of the statewide Florida Defense Support Task Force(which I have been a member of since 2018). This is an extremely important institution tasked with working with Florida’s Bases to prevent encroachment maintaining and expanding the missions of Florida’s military installations and strengthening state support for military families and veterans
Additionally, I want to share with you some key initiatives that we have worked on up in Tallahassee:
2020
HB 167- Florida Veterans Protection Act
Authorizes a separate first-degree felony charge and increases penalties against someone who commits certain white-collar crimes against veterans
HB 171
Allows college-level training and education performed in the military to be accepted in place of credit or career education clock hours in State Higher Education Institutions
HB 197
Protects military families by prohibiting the Department of Children and Families from considering military service-related absences of a parent or caregiver when determining if a child is abandoned.
HB 205
Expands the definition of stolen valor in State Law to include those who falsely claim to have served in the military for the purpose of seeking public employment or running for office
HB 445
Makes it easier for transferred military families to enroll their child in a district public school or charter school and updates the high school grading system to factor in scores achieved by students on the Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Test
HB 687
Would have expanded mental health and substance abuse programs in the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
HJR 877 and HB 879
Places a measure on the ballot in November 2020 to authorize the surviving spouse of a veteran to continue receiving the discount on ad valorem tax on homestead properties for veterans who were honorably discharged and disabled due to combat.
HB 1085
Would have allowed all judicial circuits in the State to create a Veterans Treatment Court in order to create alternatives to traditional prosecutions for veterans
HB 1249
Gives flexible to veterans seeking certain property tax exemptions on homesteads
2019
HB 217
Similar to HB 171 of 2020
HB 225
Requires public schools to allow students to wear dress uniforms of the Armed Forces or Nation Guard at graduation ceremonies
HB 427
Designates the Honor and Remember Flag as an emblem of the state to honor those service members who gave their lives in the line of duty and requiring the flag to be displayed on certain days and allowing local governments to display the flag
HB 501
Expands alternative treatment options such has hyperbaric oxygen therapy, acupuncture, and others for veterans diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder
HB 891
Strengthens policies that prevent encroachment on military installations, creates the Blue Angels license plate, and makes it easier for families to transfer their child to a new school
HM 1281
Urges Congress to support creation of the United States Space Force and to establish Florida as the home of Space Force and US Space Command
HB 7125
This criminal justice reform package includes provisions that authorizes the Department of Corrections to contract with Veteran Advocacy Clinics to help veteran inmates apply for assistance benefits upon release from a penal institution in order to combat reentry
2018
HB 29
Titled the “Don Hahnfeldt Veteran and Military Family Opportunity Act” in honor of Representative Hahnfeldt, a former US Navy Submarine Captain who sadly passed before session. This bill helps make it easier for service members, veterans, and their families to do business in Florida by expanding waivers for licensing Fees and expanding eligibility for receiving training grants and participating in entrepreneurship programs. This bill also gives priority attendance for Florida Virtual School to children of out-of-state service members whose legal residence is Florida and establishes March 25th as “Medal of Honor Day” in the State of Florida.
HB 75
Helps make college more affordable by authorizing Florida College System to waive any portion of specified fees that are not covered by the Department of Defense Military Tuition Assistance Program.
HB 333
Exempts veterans of Special Operation Forces from the basic recruit training in the process to become a law enforcement officer.
SB 100
Creates an exemption from local business taxes for veterans and their spouses, eliminates a fee to display the word “Veteran” on a Driver’s License or I.D. Card, and expands the forms of identity a veteran can present to the DHSMV
HB 7087
The Florida First Tax Package included a provision that removed the requirement that a surviving spouse of a disabled veteran be married for at least 5 years before being entitled to the $5,000 property tax exemption
2017
HB 615
Expanded licensing fee waivers for military members, veterans, and their families and extended the time of good standing from 6 months to 2 years after discharge for boards and programs under the DBPR.
2016
SB 7016
Ensures that all children in Florida have every opportunity to achieve academic success. The Bill extends the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, which was set to expire in 2016.
HB 799
Assists active duty members of the United States Armed Forces who reside or who are stationed outside Florida to receive a postsecondary education.
HB 1157
Expands the mechanism through which eligible members of the U.S. Armed Forces can earn college credit for military experience.
SB 626
Provides greater consumer protections for service members and their dependents in connection with a broad range of consumer credit transactions.
SB 184
Creates the Military and Overseas Voting Assistance Task Force within the Florida Department of State for the purpose of studying the feasibility of an online voting system that would allow members of the uniformed services who are overseas to electronically submit voted ballots.
CLICK IMAGE TO OPEN
| fdva-benefits-guide_2020.pdf |
CLICK IMAGE TO OPEN
| florida-military-friendly-guide_2019.pdf |
Request Military Records
Most federal, state and local veterans’ benefits require proof of military service through an official discharge document, often called a DD-214 or one of its predecessors. You may request a free copy of your military service record through the National Archives at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/.
Most federal, state and local veterans’ benefits require proof of military service through an official discharge document, often called a DD-214 or one of its predecessors. You may request a free copy of your military service record through the National Archives at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/.
Veterans’ Preference
The Florida Legislature passed Veterans’ Preference laws to assist veterans, their spouses and family members in pursuing employment opportunities for recruitment, selection, promotion, reemployment and retention. This is one way the State of Florida can express gratitude for your service to our country.
Below are the rules promulgated by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs to implement these laws.
Final Adopted Version in Florida Administrative Code, effective 6/27/16 Department: Department of Veterans’ Affairs Division: Division of Veterans’ Benefits and Assistance
Rule No.: 55A-7.003
Rule Titles: Definitions
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=17645966
Rule No.: 55A-7.007
Rule Titles: General Eligibility for Appointment and Retention Preference
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=17646063
Rule No.: 55A-7.008
Rule Titles: Persons Eligible for Appointment and Retention Preference
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=17646160
Rule No.: 55A-7.009
Rule Titles: Announcements, Applications and Due Process
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=17646257
Rule No.: 55A-7.010
Rule Titles: Employment Preference When Using a Numerically Based Selection Process
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=17646354
Rule No.: 55A-7.011
Rule Titles: Employment Preference When Numerically Based Selection Process Is Not Used https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=17646451
Rule No.: 55A-7.0111
Rule Titles: Reinstatement or Reemployment; Promotion Preference
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=17646548
Rule No.: 55A-7.013
Rule Titles: Documentation of Preference Claim
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=17646645
Rule No.: 55A-7.015
Rule Titles: Preference in Retention
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=17646742
Rule No.: 55A-7.016
Rule Titles: Enforcement of Preference
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=17646839
The Florida Legislature passed Veterans’ Preference laws to assist veterans, their spouses and family members in pursuing employment opportunities for recruitment, selection, promotion, reemployment and retention. This is one way the State of Florida can express gratitude for your service to our country.
Below are the rules promulgated by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs to implement these laws.
Final Adopted Version in Florida Administrative Code, effective 6/27/16 Department: Department of Veterans’ Affairs Division: Division of Veterans’ Benefits and Assistance
Rule No.: 55A-7.003
Rule Titles: Definitions
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=17645966
Rule No.: 55A-7.007
Rule Titles: General Eligibility for Appointment and Retention Preference
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=17646063
Rule No.: 55A-7.008
Rule Titles: Persons Eligible for Appointment and Retention Preference
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=17646160
Rule No.: 55A-7.009
Rule Titles: Announcements, Applications and Due Process
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=17646257
Rule No.: 55A-7.010
Rule Titles: Employment Preference When Using a Numerically Based Selection Process
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=17646354
Rule No.: 55A-7.011
Rule Titles: Employment Preference When Numerically Based Selection Process Is Not Used https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=17646451
Rule No.: 55A-7.0111
Rule Titles: Reinstatement or Reemployment; Promotion Preference
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=17646548
Rule No.: 55A-7.013
Rule Titles: Documentation of Preference Claim
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=17646645
Rule No.: 55A-7.015
Rule Titles: Preference in Retention
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=17646742
Rule No.: 55A-7.016
Rule Titles: Enforcement of Preference
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/View_Notice.asp?id=17646839
