The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes to enhance support for veterans and their families, including redesignating the official state flagship to the S.S. American Victory and updating the Department of Veterans Affairs' role as the state approving agency for veterans' education and training. It revises the membership of the board of directors for Florida Is For Veterans, Inc. from 11 to 12 members and renames the Veterans Employment and Training Services Program to the Veterans Florida Opportunity Program. New provisions are introduced regarding grant reimbursements, limiting them to $5,000 per eligible trainee per fiscal year, and allowing for educational stipends for veterans training at the University of Florida.

Additionally, the bill prohibits the Department of State from charging fees to veterans for filing specific documents and mandates the issuance of free disabled veteran motor vehicle license plates without the previous identifying letter designation. It exempts members of the Florida National Guard and their spouses from driver license fees and grants the chief judge of each judicial circuit exclusive authority to determine veterans' participation in the veterans treatment court. The bill appropriates $2.5 million in recurring funds from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs for various programs aimed at improving access to benefits, employment services, and educational resources for veterans, with changes 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