summary
Introduced
01/08/2026
01/08/2026
In Committee
02/16/2026
02/16/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to military affairs; amending s. 115.01, F.S.; revising the authorization to be granted a leave of absence for military service to include the Coast Guard; removing the condition that such service be during war between the United States and a foreign government; amending s. 115.07, F.S.; clarifying a provision relating to leaves of absence for all officers and employees of the state and the counties, municipalities, and political subdivisions of the state for reserve or guard training; amending s. 115.08, F.S.; revising the definition of the term "active military service"; amending s. 115.09, F.S.; specifying that an authorization for a leave of absence for public officials to perform active military service for a specified timeframe is based on a single order; amending s. 115.14, F.S.; specifying that an authorization for a leave of absence for all employees of the state and the counties, municipalities, and political subdivisions of the state to perform active military service for a specified timeframe is based on a single order; amending s. 121.055, F.S.; revising military positions required to participate in the Senior Management Service Class of the Florida Retirement System; amending s. 250.10, F.S.; removing a requirement that the Adjutant General administer youth About Face Programs and adult Forward March programs; removing provisions governing the programs; amending s. 250.116, F.S.; revising eligibility for the Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Program to include traditional drilling guardsmen on state active duty or on Title 32 United States Code duty and their eligible beneficiaries demonstrating valid financial need; defining the term "beneficiary"; requiring requests for assistance to be reviewed, processed, and approved by the Florida National Guard Foundation's board of directors; requiring requests for assistance to be reviewed and evaluated based on specified criteria; requiring an annual external audit of the program; requiring the board to annually review the bylaws that govern the program; requiring the board to provide a report to the Department of Military Affairs to be approved by the Adjutant General; reenacting s. 115.06, F.S., relating to reassumption of duties for officers returning from the service of the United States, to incorporate the amendment made to s. 115.01, F.S., in a reference thereto; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill makes several changes to Florida law concerning military affairs, primarily to expand eligibility and clarify procedures for military leave and assistance programs. It includes the Coast Guard in provisions for military leave of absence for public officials and employees, removes the requirement that such service must be during a war between the U.S. and a foreign government, and clarifies that leaves for reserve or guard training are authorized under applicable general law. The definition of "active military service" is broadened, and the bill specifies that authorizations for leaves of absence for public officials and employees to perform active military service for a set timeframe are based on a single order. It also revises which uniformed positions within the Department of Military Affairs are required to participate in the Senior Management Service Class of the Florida Retirement System. Additionally, the bill removes the Adjutant General's responsibility for administering youth and adult programs, and significantly revises the Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Program by expanding eligibility to include traditional drilling guardsmen on state active duty or Title 32 duty who demonstrate financial need, defining "beneficiary" to include spouses and dependent children, requiring the Florida National Guard Foundation's board of directors to review and approve assistance requests, mandating an annual external audit of the program, and requiring the board to annually review and report on the program's bylaws to the Department of Military Affairs for approval by the Adjutant General. Finally, it reenacts a section related to reassuming duties after military service to reflect the updated reference to the leave of absence provisions.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Government Affairs
Sponsors (3)
Other Sponsors (2)
Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee (House), Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee (House)
Last Action
House State Affairs Committee Hearing (08:30:00 2/24/2026 ) (on 02/24/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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