summary
Introduced
02/26/2025
02/26/2025
In Committee
03/06/2025
03/06/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to veterans’ assistance; creating s. 295.235, F.S.; requiring the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, subject to appropriation, to expand programs connecting veterans and their families and survivors to certain services, benefits, and support; requiring the department to host public events for such purpose; requiring the department to submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature; providing an effective date. WHEREAS, Florida offers its population of 1.4 million veterans unique benefits, such as in-state tuition rates for veterans and their families using the Post-9/11 GI Bill, several layers of property tax exemptions, and expanded veterans’ preference, including extensive benefits and licensure and fee waivers, for many activities and occupations, and WHEREAS, veterans’ benefits and services provided by the State of Florida are meant to complement and augment available federal programs to avoid duplication of effort and unnecessary state expense for a federally funded service or benefit, and WHEREAS, with only 749,000 Florida veterans enrolled in earned health care services from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, hundreds of thousands of the state’s veterans and their families are not taking advantage of earned federal, state, and local services, benefits, and support, and WHEREAS, while Department of Veterans’ Affairs veterans’ claims examiners assisted more than 245,000 veterans in providing information and counsel on earned services, benefits, and support by the end of fiscal year 2024, additional federal dollars for Florida veterans remain untouched due to a lack of awareness, and WHEREAS, a corresponding increase in the quality and quantity of outreach opportunities linking veterans with earned benefits through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs will not only increase the quality of life for Florida veterans and their families, but provide additional federal dollars to bolster local economies, NOW, THEREFORE,
AI Summary
This bill creates a new section of Florida law requiring the Department of Veterans' Affairs to expand outreach programs connecting veterans, their families, and survivors with earned services and benefits, contingent upon an annual legislative appropriation of $500,000. Specifically, the department must enhance its outreach efforts through internet, mobile app, print, social media, and in-person channels to help veterans access benefits they may not currently be utilizing. The bill mandates that the department host at least two public events annually—both in-person and virtual—to disseminate information about various veteran benefits, including educational, medical, insurance, and disability resources. Additionally, the department must submit an annual report to the Governor and legislative leadership detailing the number of public events hosted, attendee counts, and other relevant information. This legislation aims to address the fact that out of Florida's 1.4 million veterans, only 749,000 are currently enrolled in earned health care services, with the goal of increasing awareness and utilization of federal, state, and local veteran support programs. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration (on 05/03/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1464 |
| Analysis - Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1464/Analyses/2025s01464.ms.PDF |
| Analysis - Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security (Pre-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1464/Analyses/2025s01464.pre.ms.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1464/BillText/Filed/HTML |
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