This bill amends several sections of Florida Statutes to enhance support for veterans and their families. Key changes include redesignating the official state flagship to the S.S. American Victory, updating references to the Department of Veterans Affairs as the state approving agency for veterans' education and training, and revising the board membership of Florida Is for Veterans, Inc. The bill also renames the Veterans Employment and Training Services Program to the Veterans Florida Opportunity Program, establishes new grant reimbursement limits for training, and allows for educational stipends for eligible individuals training at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Additionally, it prohibits the Department of State from charging veterans fees for filing certain documents and mandates the issuance of free disabled veteran motor vehicle license plates without specific identifying letters.

To further support veterans, the bill appropriates $2.5 million in recurring funds from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs for various programs, including access to benefits, employment services, and educational resources. It introduces a new section exempting veterans from certain filing fees related to business registrations, allowing them to apply for this exemption only once. The bill also clarifies provisions related to disabled veterans, specifying that they may receive a license plate embossed with "DV" and outlining conditions for fee exemptions for veterans and members of the Florida National Guard. The chief judge of a judicial circuit is granted the authority to determine the eligibility of dishonorably discharged veterans for participation in veterans treatment court programs. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1280 Filed: 295.124, 295.22, 322.21, 394.47891
S 1280 c1: 15.0465, 295.124, 295.22, 322.21, 394.47891