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FL S0336

FL S0336
Educational Dollars for Duty Program


summary

Introduced
01/27/2025
In Committee
02/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/16/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

An act relating to the Educational Dollars for Duty program; providing a short title; transferring, renumbering, and amending s. 250.10(7) and (8), F.S.; requiring the program to set aside a certain amount of funds to provide tuition assistance to spouses and children of active members of the Florida National Guard; authorizing the Legislature to increase the amount of such funds; requiring the Department of Military Affairs to oversee implementation and enforcement; requiring the department to establish certain procedures; providing an effective date. WHEREAS, members of the Florida National Guard are frequently deployed and respond to emergencies, often taking them away from their families, and WHEREAS, many National Guard families are left alone during a member’s overseas deployments and during natural disasters, often having to take care of themselves while the member is away helping Florida or our nation, and WHEREAS, providing educational support to the families of National Guard members will offer significant relief and support to these dedicated individuals, NOW, THEREFORE,

AI Summary

This bill expands the Educational Dollars for Duty (EDD) program for the Florida National Guard by establishing a new provision to provide tuition assistance to spouses and children of active National Guard members. Specifically, the bill sets aside $500,000 annually to cover up to 50 percent of tuition costs for family members, with the potential for the Legislature to increase this amount. The Department of Military Affairs will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of this new family support component, including developing procedures to verify eligibility and distribute funds. The existing EDD program, which provides educational benefits to active National Guard members, remains unchanged and continues to offer support for tuition, fees, industry certifications, and continuing education. The bill recognizes the sacrifices of National Guard members who are frequently deployed or responding to emergencies, leaving their families behind, and aims to provide additional educational support to those families. The new provisions will take effect on July 1, 2025, and will be part of the existing educational assistance framework for Florida National Guard members.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Died in Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development (on 06/16/2025)

bill text


bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/336
Analysis - Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security (Post-Meeting) https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/336/Analyses/2025s00336.ms.PDF
Analysis - Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security (Pre-Meeting) https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/336/Analyses/2025s00336.pre.ms.PDF
BillText https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/336/BillText/Filed/HTML
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