The proposed bill, titled the Educational Dollars for Duty Program Expansion Act, aims to enhance the existing Educational Dollars for Duty program by providing financial assistance for tuition to the spouses and children of active members of the Florida National Guard. The bill mandates that $500,000 of existing funds be set aside each fiscal year for this purpose, with the possibility for the Legislature to increase this amount as necessary. The Department of Military Affairs is tasked with overseeing the implementation and enforcement of this provision, including establishing procedures for verifying eligibility and distributing funds.

Additionally, the bill transfers and renumbers existing subsections of section 250.10 of the Florida Statutes to create a new section, 250.101, which outlines the educational assistance program for members of the Florida National Guard. It specifies eligibility requirements, authorized courses of study, and penalties for noncompliance. The program will continue to support current members of the National Guard with tuition and fees for their education while also expanding support to their families, thereby recognizing the sacrifices made by these service members and their dependents. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.