Bill Text: FL S1666 | 2024 | Regular Session | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Veterans
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (? 2-1)
Status: (Failed) 2024-03-08 - Died in Fiscal Policy [S1666 Detail]
Download: Florida-2024-S1666-Comm_Sub.html
Florida Senate - 2024 CS for CS for SB 1666
By the Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services;
the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and
Domestic Security; and Senator Collins
603-03528A-24 20241666c2
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to veterans; creating s. 265.8021,
3 F.S.; defining the term “veteran”; creating the
4 Florida Veterans’ History Program within the Division
5 of Arts and Culture of the Department of State as a
6 Florida Folklife Program; providing the program’s
7 purpose; authorizing the division to request
8 assistance from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs;
9 requiring the division’s folklorists to seek out and
10 identify certain veterans; authorizing the division or
11 a folklorist to interview such veterans or invite them
12 to submit written or electronic accounts of their
13 experiences; authorizing the division to contract with
14 a third-party vendor for a specified purpose;
15 authorizing the division to adopt rules; amending s.
16 295.21, F.S.; revising the purpose of Florida Is For
17 Veterans, Inc.; revising the duties of the corporation
18 to require that it conduct specified activities
19 directed toward its target market; defining the term
20 “target market”; deleting obsolete language; providing
21 that the President of the Senate and the Speaker of
22 the House of Representatives shall each appoint one
23 member from his or her chamber to serve ex officio,
24 nonvoting on the corporation’s board of directors;
25 making technical changes; amending s. 295.22, F.S.;
26 defining terms; revising the purpose of the Veterans
27 Employment and Training Services Program; revising the
28 functions that Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., must
29 perform in administering a specified program;
30 authorizing the program to prioritize grant funds;
31 revising the uses of specified grant funds;
32 authorizing a business to receive certain other grant
33 funds in addition to specified grant funds;
34 authorizing the use of grant funds to provide for a
35 specified educational stipend; requiring the
36 corporation and the University of Florida to enter
37 into a grant agreement before certain funds are
38 expended; requiring the corporation to determine the
39 amount of the stipend; providing that specified
40 training must occur for a specified duration;
41 authorizing the corporation to provide certain
42 assistance to state agencies and entities, to provide
43 a website that has relevant hyperlinks, and to
44 collaborate with specified state agencies and other
45 entities for specified purposes; conforming provisions
46 to changes made by the act; making technical changes;
47 creating s. 295.25, F.S.; prohibiting the Department
48 of State from charging veterans who reside in this
49 state fees for the filing of specified documents;
50 amending s. 379.353, F.S.; providing free hunting,
51 freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing licenses to
52 certain disabled veterans; providing that specified
53 licenses issued to such veterans expire periodically
54 and must be reissued upon request after such time
55 period; amending s. 381.78, F.S.; revising the
56 membership, appointment, and meetings of the advisory
57 council on brain and spinal cord injuries; amending s.
58 1003.42, F.S.; requiring instruction on the history
59 and importance of Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day;
60 requiring that certain instruction consist of two 45
61 minute lessons that must occur within a certain
62 timeframe; amending s. 288.0001, F.S.; conforming a
63 cross-reference; reenacting ss. 379.3581(2)(b) and
64 379.401(2)(b) and (3)(b), F.S., relating to special
65 authorization hunting licenses and the suspension and
66 forfeiture of licenses and permits, respectively, to
67 incorporate the amendment made to s. 379.353, F.S., in
68 references thereto; providing appropriations and
69 authorizing a position; providing an effective date.
70
71 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
72
73 Section 1. Section 265.8021, Florida Statutes, is created
74 to read:
75 265.8021 Florida Veterans’ History Program.—
76 (1) As used in this section, the term “veteran” has the
77 same meaning as in s. 1.01(14).
78 (2) There is created the Florida Veterans’ History Program
79 within the Division of Arts and Culture of the Department of
80 State as a Florida Folklife Program to collect and preserve the
81 stories and experiences of Florida’s veterans and the State of
82 Florida’s military contributions throughout the nation’s
83 history. The division may request assistance with the program
84 from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
85 (3) In order to collect and preserve the stories and
86 experiences of Florida’s veterans and the State of Florida’s
87 military contributions throughout the nation’s history, the
88 division’s folklorists shall seek out and identify those
89 veterans who are willing to share their experiences. The
90 division or a folklorist may interview veterans or invite
91 veterans to submit written or electronic accounts of their
92 experiences for inclusion in the program.
93 (4) As provided in s. 265.802, the division may contract
94 with a third-party vendor to fulfill its responsibilities under
95 subsection (3).
96 (5) The division may adopt rules to implement the program.
97 Section 2. Subsection (2), paragraph (a) of subsection (3),
98 and paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section 295.21, Florida
99 Statutes, are amended to read:
100 295.21 Florida Is For Veterans, Inc.—
101 (2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the corporation is to serve as
102 the state’s initial point of military transition assistance
103 dedicated to promoting promote Florida as a veteran-friendly
104 state helping that seeks to provide veterans and their spouses
105 with employment opportunities and promoting that promotes the
106 hiring of veterans and their spouses by the business community.
107 The corporation shall encourage retired and recently separated
108 military personnel to remain in this the state or to make this
109 the state their permanent residence. The corporation shall
110 promote the value of military skill sets to businesses in this
111 the state, assist in tailoring the training of veterans and
112 their spouses to match the needs of the employment marketplace,
113 and enhance the entrepreneurial skills of veterans and their
114 spouses.
115 (3) DUTIES.—The corporation shall:
116 (a) Conduct marketing, awareness, and outreach activities
117 directed toward its target market. As used in this section, the
118 term “target market” means those members, and their spouses, of
119 the United States Armed Forces with 24 months or less until
120 discharge, veterans with 36 months or less since discharge, and
121 members of the Florida National Guard or reserves research to
122 identify the target market and the educational and employment
123 needs of those in the target market. The corporation shall
124 contract with at least one entity pursuant to the competitive
125 bidding requirements in s. 287.057 and the provisions of s.
126 295.187 to perform the research. Such entity must have
127 experience conducting market research on the veteran
128 demographic. The corporation shall seek input from the Florida
129 Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation on the scope, process,
130 and focus of such research.
131 (4) GOVERNANCE.—
132 (a) The corporation shall be governed by a nine-member
133 board of directors. The Governor, the President of the Senate,
134 and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each
135 appoint three members to the board. In making appointments, the
136 Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
137 House of Representatives must consider representation by active
138 or retired military personnel and their spouses, representing a
139 range of ages and persons with expertise in business, education,
140 marketing, and information management. Additionally, the
141 President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
142 Representatives shall each appoint one member from the body over
143 which he or she presides to serve on the board as ex officio,
144 nonvoting members.
145 Section 3. Section 295.22, Florida Statutes, is amended to
146 read:
147 295.22 Veterans Employment and Training Services Program.—
148 (1) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.—The Legislature finds
149 that the state has a compelling interest in ensuring that each
150 veteran or his or her spouse who is a resident of this the state
151 finds employment that meets his or her professional goals and
152 receives the training or education necessary to meet those
153 goals. The Legislature also finds that connecting dedicated,
154 well-trained veterans with businesses that need a dedicated,
155 well-trained workforce is of paramount importance. The
156 Legislature recognizes that veterans or their spouses may not
157 currently have the skills to meet the workforce needs of Florida
158 employers and may require assistance in obtaining additional
159 workforce training or in transitioning their skills to meet the
160 demands of the marketplace. It is the intent of the Legislature
161 that the Veterans Employment and Training Services Program
162 coordinate and meet the needs of veterans and their spouses and
163 the business community to enhance the economy of this state.
164 (2) DEFINITIONS.—For the purposes of this section, the
165 term:
166 (a) “Secondary industry business” is a business that the
167 state has an additional interest in supporting and for which
168 veterans and their spouses may have directly transferrable
169 skills. These businesses are in the fields of health care,
170 agriculture, commercial construction, education, law
171 enforcement, and public service.
172 (b) “Servicemember” has the same meaning as in 250.01.
173 (c) “Spouse” means a person who is married to a veteran, or
174 an unremarried surviving spouse of a veteran.
175 (d) “Target industry business” is a business as defined in
176 s. 288.005.
177 (e) “Target market” has the same meaning as in s.
178 295.21(3)(a).
179 (f) “Veteran” means, irrespective of discharge status, a
180 person who otherwise meets the definition of veteran in s.
181 1.01(14) or who is a servicemember.
182 (3) CREATION.—The Veterans Employment and Training Services
183 Program is created within the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to
184 assist in connecting linking veterans or their spouses in search
185 of employment with businesses seeking to hire dedicated, well
186 trained workers and with opportunities for entrepreneurship
187 education, training, and resources. The purpose of the program
188 is to meet the workforce demands of businesses in this the state
189 by facilitating access to training and education in high-demand
190 fields for veterans or their spouses and to inspire the growth
191 and development of veteran-owned small businesses.
192 (4)(3) ADMINISTRATION.—Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., shall
193 administer the Veterans Employment and Training Services Program
194 and perform all of the following functions:
195 (a) Conduct marketing and recruiting efforts directed at
196 veterans or their spouses within the target market who reside in
197 or who have an interest in relocating to this state and who are
198 seeking employment. Marketing must include information related
199 to how a veteran’s military experience can be valuable to a
200 target industry or secondary industry business. Such efforts may
201 include attending veteran job fairs and events, hosting events
202 for veterans and their spouses or the business community, and
203 using digital and social media and direct mail campaigns. The
204 corporation shall also include such marketing as part of its
205 main marketing campaign.
206 (b) Assist veterans or their spouses who reside in or
207 relocate to this state and who are seeking employment with
208 target industry or secondary industry businesses. The
209 corporation shall offer skills assessments to veterans or their
210 spouses and assist them in establishing employment goals and
211 applying for and achieving gainful employment.
212 1. Assessment may include skill match information, skill
213 gap analysis, résumé creation, translation of military skills
214 into civilian workforce skills, and translation of military
215 achievements and experience into generally understood civilian
216 workforce skills.
217 2. Assistance may include providing the veteran or his or
218 her spouse with information on current workforce demand by
219 industry or geographic region, creating employment goals, and
220 aiding or teaching general knowledge related to completing
221 applications. The corporation may provide information related to
222 industry certifications approved by the Department of Education
223 under s. 1008.44 as well as information related to earning
224 academic college credit at public postsecondary educational
225 institutions for college-level training and education acquired
226 in the military under s. 1004.096.
227 3. The corporation shall encourage veterans or their
228 spouses to register with the state’s job bank system and may
229 refer veterans to local one-stop career centers for further
230 services. The corporation shall provide each veteran with
231 information about state workforce programs and shall consolidate
232 information about all available resources on one website that,
233 if possible, includes a hyperlink to each resource’s website and
234 contact information, if available.
235 4. Assessment and assistance may be in person or by
236 electronic means, as determined by the corporation to be most
237 efficient and best meet the needs of veterans or their spouses.
238 (c) Assist Florida target industry and secondary industry
239 businesses in recruiting and hiring veterans and veterans’
240 spouses. The corporation shall provide services to Florida
241 businesses to meet their hiring needs by connecting businesses
242 with suitable veteran applicants for employment. Suitable
243 applicants include veterans or veterans’ spouses who have
244 appropriate job skills or may need additional training to meet
245 the specific needs of a business. The corporation shall also
246 provide information about the state and federal benefits of
247 hiring veterans.
248 (d) Create a grant program to provide funding to assist
249 veterans in meeting the workforce-skill needs of target industry
250 and secondary industry businesses seeking to hire, promote, or
251 generally improve specialized skills of veterans, establish
252 criteria for approval of requests for funding, and maximize the
253 use of funding for this program. Grant funds may be used only in
254 the absence of available veteran-specific federally funded
255 programs. Grants may fund specialized training specific to a
256 particular business.
257 1. The program may prioritize If grant funds to be are used
258 to provide a technical certificate, a license licensure, or
259 nondegree training from the Master Credentials List pursuant to
260 s. 445.004(4)(h); any federally created certifications or
261 licenses; and any skills-based industry certifications or
262 licenses deemed relevant or necessary by the corporation. a
263 degree, Funds may be allocated only upon a review that includes,
264 but is not limited to, documentation of accreditation and
265 licensure. Instruction funded through the program terminates
266 when participants demonstrate competence at the level specified
267 in the request but may not exceed 12 months. Preference shall be
268 given to target industry businesses, as defined in s. 288.005,
269 and to businesses in the defense supply, cloud virtualization,
270 health care, or commercial aviation manufacturing industries.
271 2. Costs and expenditures are shall be limited to $8,000
272 per veteran trainee. Qualified businesses must cover the entire
273 cost for all of the training provided before receiving
274 reimbursement from the corporation equal to 50 percent of the
275 cost to train a veteran who is a permanent, full-time employee.
276 Eligible costs and expenditures include, but are not limited to:
277 a. Tuition and fees.
278 b. Books and classroom materials.
279 c. Rental fees for facilities.
280 3. Before funds are allocated for a request pursuant to
281 this section, the corporation shall prepare a grant agreement
282 between the business requesting funds and the corporation. Such
283 agreement must include, but need not be limited to:
284 a. Identification of the personnel necessary to conduct the
285 instructional program, instructional program description, and
286 any vendors used to conduct the instructional program.
287 b. Identification of the estimated duration of the
288 instructional program.
289 c. Identification of all direct, training-related costs.
290 d. Identification of special program requirements that are
291 not otherwise addressed in the agreement.
292 e. Permission to access aggregate information specific to
293 the wages and performance of participants upon the completion of
294 instruction for evaluation purposes. The agreement must specify
295 that any evaluation published subsequent to the instruction may
296 not identify the employer or any individual participant.
297 4. A business may receive a grant under any state program
298 the Quick-Response Training Program created under s. 288.047 and
299 a grant under this section for the same veteran trainee.
300 5. A portion of grant funds, as determined by the
301 corporation, may be used for veterans who are not active members
302 of the United States Armed Forces for educational stipends while
303 training at any location of the University of Florida’s
304 Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences within this state.
305 The corporation and the University of Florida shall enter into a
306 grant agreement before funds are expended. The corporation must
307 determine the amount of the stipend. The training for any
308 individual may not be less than 4 months and not more than 6
309 months.
310 (e) Contract with one or more entities to administer an
311 entrepreneur initiative program for veterans in this state which
312 connects business leaders in the state with veterans seeking to
313 become entrepreneurs.
314 1. The corporation shall award each contract in accordance
315 with the competitive bidding requirements in s. 287.057 to one
316 or more public or private entities that:
317 a. Demonstrate the ability to implement the program and the
318 commitment of resources, including financial resources, to such
319 programs.
320 b. Have a demonstrated experience working with veteran
321 entrepreneurs.
322 c. As determined by the corporation, have been recognized
323 for their performance in assisting entrepreneurs to launch
324 successful businesses in this the state.
325 2. Each contract must include performance metrics,
326 including a focus on employment and business creation. The
327 entity may also work with a university or college offering
328 related programs to refer veterans or to provide services. The
329 entrepreneur initiative program may include activities and
330 assistance such as peer-to-peer learning sessions, mentoring,
331 technical assistance, business roundtables, networking
332 opportunities, support of student organizations, speaker series,
333 or other tools within a virtual environment.
334 (f) Administer a As the state’s principal assistance
335 organization under the United States Department of Defense’s
336 SkillBridge initiative program for target industry and secondary
337 industry qualified businesses in this state and for eligible
338 veterans transitioning servicemembers who reside in, or who wish
339 to reside in, this state. In administering the initiative, the
340 corporation shall:
341 1. Establish and maintain, as applicable, its certification
342 for the SkillBridge initiative program or any other similar
343 workforce training and transition programs established by the
344 United States Department of Defense;
345 2. Educate businesses, business associations, and eligible
346 veterans transitioning servicemembers on the SkillBridge
347 initiative program and its benefits, and educate military
348 command and personnel within the state on the opportunities
349 available to eligible veterans transitioning servicemembers
350 through the SkillBridge program;
351 3. Assist businesses in obtaining approval for skilled
352 workforce training curricula under the SkillBridge initiative
353 program, including, but not limited to, apprenticeships,
354 internships, or fellowships; and
355 4. Match eligible veterans transitioning servicemembers who
356 are deemed eligible for SkillBridge participation by their
357 military command with training opportunities offered by the
358 corporation or participating businesses, with the intent of
359 having them transitioning servicemembers achieve gainful
360 employment in this state upon completion of their SkillBridge
361 training.
362 (g) Assist veterans and their spouses in accessing
363 training, education, and employment in health care professions.
364 (h) Coordinate with the Office of Veteran Licensure
365 Services within the Department of Health to assist veterans and
366 their spouses in obtaining licensure pursuant to s. 456.024.
367 (5) COLLABORATION.—The corporation may assist state
368 agencies and entities with recruiting veteran talent into their
369 workforce. The corporation is encouraged to, and may collaborate
370 with state agencies and other entities in efforts to, maximize
371 access to and provide information on one website that, if
372 possible, includes hyperlinks to the websites of and contact
373 information, if available, for state agencies and other entities
374 that maintain benefits, services, training, education, and other
375 resources that are available to veterans and their spouses.
376 (a) Outreach, information exchange, marketing, and
377 referrals between agencies, entities, and the corporation
378 regarding programs and initiatives that may be conducted
379 include, but are not limited to, the Veterans Employment and
380 Training Services Program and those within any of the following:
381 1. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs:
382 a. Access to benefits and assistance programs.
383 b. Hope Navigators Program.
384 2. The Department of Commerce:
385 a. The Disabled Veteran Outreach Program and Local Veteran
386 Employment Representatives.
387 b. CareerSource Florida, Inc., and local workforce boards
388 employment and recruitment services.
389 c. The Quick-Response Training Program.
390 d. The direct support organization established in s.
391 288.012(6).
392 3. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation,
393 reciprocity and the availability of certain license and fee
394 waivers.
395 4. The Department of Education:
396 a. CAPE industry certifications under s. 1008.44.
397 b. Information related to earning postsecondary credit at
398 public postsecondary educational institutions for college-level
399 training and education acquired in the military under s.
400 1004.096.
401 5. The Department of Health:
402 a. The Office of Veteran Licensure Services.
403 b. The Florida Veterans Application for Licensure Online
404 Response expedited licensing.
405 (b) The corporation may coordinate and collaborate with the
406 Office of Reimagining Education and Career Help, the State
407 University System, the Florida College System, the Florida
408 Defense Support Task Force, the Florida Small Business
409 Development Center Network, and the Florida Talent Development
410 Council, as necessary.
411 Section 4. Section 295.25, Florida Statutes, is created to
412 read:
413 295.25 Veterans exempt from certain filing fees.—The
414 Department of State may not charge veterans who reside in this
415 state the applicable fees for filing articles of organization,
416 articles of incorporation, a certificate of limited partnership,
417 or a partnership registration statement, or for the designation
418 of a registered agent, if applicable, as provided in s.
419 605.0213, s. 607.0122, s. 617.0122, s. 620.1109, or s.
420 620.81055.
421 Section 5. Subsection (1) of section 379.353, Florida
422 Statutes, is amended to read:
423 379.353 Recreational licenses and permits; exemptions from
424 fees and requirements.—
425 (1) The commission shall issue without fee hunting,
426 freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing licenses and permits
427 shall be issued without fee to any resident who is certified or
428 determined to be:
429 (a) To be Totally and permanently disabled for purposes of
430 workers’ compensation under chapter 440 as verified by an order
431 of a judge of compensation claims or written confirmation by the
432 carrier providing workers’ compensation benefits, or to be
433 totally and permanently disabled by the Railroad Retirement
434 Board, by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or
435 its predecessor, or by any branch of the United States Armed
436 Forces, or who holds a valid identification card issued under
437 the provisions of s. 295.17, upon proof of such certification or
438 determination same. Any license issued under this paragraph
439 after January 1, 1997, expires after 5 years and must be
440 reissued, upon request, every 5 years thereafter.
441 (b) To be Disabled by the United States Social Security
442 Administration, upon proof of such certification or
443 determination same. Any license issued under this paragraph
444 after October 1, 1999, expires after 2 years and must be
445 reissued, upon proof of certification of disability, every 2
446 years thereafter.
447 (c) A disabled veteran of the United States Armed Forces
448 who was honorably discharged upon separation from service and
449 who is certified by the United States Department of Veterans
450 Affairs or its predecessor or by any branch of the United States
451 Armed Forces as having a service-connected disability percentage
452 rating of 50 percent or greater, upon proof of such
453 certification or determination. Any license issued under this
454 paragraph after July 1, 2024, expires after 5 years and must be
455 reissued, upon request, every 5 years thereafter.
456
457 A disability license issued after July 1, 1997, and before July
458 1, 2000, retains the rights vested thereunder until the license
459 has expired.
460 Section 6. Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of section 381.78,
461 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
462 381.78 Advisory council on brain and spinal cord injuries.—
463 (1) There is created within the department a 16-member
464 advisory council on brain and spinal cord injuries. The council
465 shall be composed of a minimum of:
466 (a) Two four individuals who have brain injuries or are
467 family members of individuals who have brain injuries, with one
468 individual appointed by the President of the Senate and the
469 other individual appointed by the Speaker of the House of
470 Representatives., a minimum of four
471 (b) Two individuals who have spinal cord injuries or are
472 family members of individuals who have spinal cord injuries,
473 with one individual appointed by the President of the Senate and
474 the other individual appointed by the Speaker of the House of
475 Representatives., and a minimum of
476 (c) Two individuals who represent the special needs of
477 children who have brain or spinal cord injuries, with one
478 individual appointed by the President of the Senate and the
479 other individual appointed by the Speaker of the House of
480 Representatives.
481 (d) Two individuals who have, or who are family members of
482 individuals who have or had, a traumatic brain injury, chronic
483 traumatic encephalopathy, or subconcussive impacts due to
484 sports, with one individual appointed the President of the
485 Senate and the other individual appointed by the Speaker of the
486 House of Representatives.
487 (e) Two veterans as defined in s. 1.01(14) who have or have
488 had a traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy,
489 or subconcussive impacts due to military service, or family
490 members of such veterans, with one veteran or family member
491 appointed by the President of the Senate and the other veteran
492 or family member appointed by the Speaker of the House of
493 Representatives.
494 (f) Six individuals, appointed by the State Surgeon
495 General, who are The balance of the council members shall be
496 physicians, other allied health professionals, administrators of
497 brain and spinal cord injury programs, or and representatives
498 from support groups who that have expertise in areas related to
499 the rehabilitation of individuals who have brain or spinal cord
500 injuries.
501 (2) Members of the council shall be appointed to serve by
502 the State Surgeon General. All members’ terms shall be staggered
503 terms of for 4 years. An individual may not serve more than two
504 terms. Any council member who is unwilling or unable to properly
505 fulfill the duties of the office shall be succeeded by an
506 individual chosen by the State Surgeon General to serve out the
507 unexpired balance of the replaced council member’s term. If the
508 unexpired balance of the replaced council member’s term is less
509 than 18 months, then, notwithstanding the provisions of this
510 subsection, the succeeding council member may be reappointed by
511 the State Surgeon General twice.
512 (3) The council shall meet at least quarterly and may
513 adjourn a meeting only by unanimous consent two times annually.
514 Section 7. Paragraph (u) of subsection (2) of section
515 1003.42, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
516 1003.42 Required instruction.—
517 (2) Members of the instructional staff of the public
518 schools, subject to the rules of the State Board of Education
519 and the district school board, shall teach efficiently and
520 faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the
521 highest standards for professionalism and historical accuracy,
522 following the prescribed courses of study, and employing
523 approved methods of instruction, the following:
524 (u)1. In order to encourage patriotism, the sacrifices that
525 veterans and Medal of Honor recipients have made in serving our
526 country and protecting democratic values worldwide. Such
527 instruction must occur on or before Medal of Honor Day,
528 Veterans’ Day, and Memorial Day. Members of the instructional
529 staff are encouraged to use the assistance of local veterans and
530 Medal of Honor recipients when practicable.
531 2. The history and importance of Veterans’ Day and Memorial
532 Day. Such instruction must include two 45-minute lessons that
533 occur on or before the respective holidays.
534
535 The State Board of Education is encouraged to adopt standards
536 and pursue assessment of the requirements of this subsection.
537 Instructional programming that incorporates the values of the
538 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor and that is
539 offered as part of a social studies, English Language Arts, or
540 other schoolwide character building and veteran awareness
541 initiative meets the requirements of paragraph (u).
542 Section 8. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section
543 288.0001, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
544 288.0001 Economic Development Programs Evaluation.—The
545 Office of Economic and Demographic Research and the Office of
546 Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA)
547 shall develop and present to the Governor, the President of the
548 Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the
549 chairs of the legislative appropriations committees the Economic
550 Development Programs Evaluation.
551 (2) The Office of Economic and Demographic Research and
552 OPPAGA shall provide a detailed analysis of economic development
553 programs as provided in the following schedule:
554 (c) By January 1, 2016, and every 3 years thereafter, an
555 analysis of the following:
556 1. The tax exemption for semiconductor, defense, or space
557 technology sales established under s. 212.08(5)(j).
558 2. The Military Base Protection Program established under
559 s. 288.980.
560 3. The Quick Response Training Program established under s.
561 288.047.
562 4. The Incumbent Worker Training Program established under
563 s. 445.003.
564 5. The direct-support organization and international trade
565 and business development programs established or funded under s.
566 288.012 or s. 288.826.
567 6. The program established under s. 295.22(3) s. 295.22(2).
568 Section 9. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
569 made by this act to section 379.353, Florida Statutes, in a
570 reference thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
571 379.3581, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
572 379.3581 Hunter safety course; requirements; penalty.—
573 (2)
574 (b) A person born on or after June 1, 1975, who has not
575 successfully completed a hunter safety course may apply to the
576 commission for a special authorization to hunt under
577 supervision. The special authorization for supervised hunting
578 shall be designated on any license or permit required under this
579 chapter for a person to take game or fur-bearing animals. A
580 person issued a license with a special authorization to hunt
581 under supervision must hunt under the supervision of, and in the
582 presence of, a person 21 years of age or older who is licensed
583 to hunt pursuant to s. 379.354 or who is exempt from licensing
584 requirements or eligible for a free license pursuant to s.
585 379.353.
586 Section 10. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
587 made by this act to section 379.353, Florida Statutes, in
588 references thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (2) and
589 paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section 379.401, Florida
590 Statutes, are reenacted to read:
591 379.401 Penalties and violations; civil penalties for
592 noncriminal infractions; criminal penalties; suspension and
593 forfeiture of licenses and permits.—
594 (2) LEVEL TWO VIOLATIONS.—
595 (b)1. A person who commits a Level Two violation but who
596 has not been convicted of a Level Two or higher violation within
597 the past 3 years commits a misdemeanor of the second degree,
598 punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
599 2. Unless the stricter penalties in subparagraph 3. or
600 subparagraph 4. apply, a person who commits a Level Two
601 violation within 3 years after a previous conviction for a Level
602 Two or higher violation commits a misdemeanor of the first
603 degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, with
604 a minimum mandatory fine of $250.
605 3. Unless the stricter penalties in subparagraph 4. apply,
606 a person who commits a Level Two violation within 5 years after
607 two previous convictions for a Level Two or higher violation,
608 commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as
609 provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, with a minimum mandatory
610 fine of $500 and a suspension of any recreational license or
611 permit issued under s. 379.354 for 1 year. Such suspension shall
612 include the suspension of the privilege to obtain such license
613 or permit and the suspension of the ability to exercise any
614 privilege granted under any exemption in s. 379.353.
615 4. A person who commits a Level Two violation within 10
616 years after three previous convictions for a Level Two or higher
617 violation commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable
618 as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, with a minimum
619 mandatory fine of $750 and a suspension of any recreational
620 license or permit issued under s. 379.354 for 3 years. Such
621 suspension shall include the suspension of the privilege to
622 obtain such license or permit and the suspension of the ability
623 to exercise any privilege granted under s. 379.353. If the
624 recreational license or permit being suspended was an annual
625 license or permit, any privileges under ss. 379.353 and 379.354
626 may not be acquired for a 3-year period following the date of
627 the violation.
628 (3) LEVEL THREE VIOLATIONS.—
629 (b)1. A person who commits a Level Three violation but who
630 has not been convicted of a Level Three or higher violation
631 within the past 10 years commits a misdemeanor of the first
632 degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
633 2. A person who commits a Level Three violation within 10
634 years after a previous conviction for a Level Three or higher
635 violation commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable
636 as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, with a minimum
637 mandatory fine of $750 and a suspension of any recreational
638 license or permit issued under s. 379.354 for the remainder of
639 the period for which the license or permit was issued up to 3
640 years. Such suspension shall include the suspension of the
641 privilege to obtain such license or permit and the ability to
642 exercise any privilege granted under s. 379.353. If the
643 recreational license or permit being suspended was an annual
644 license or permit, any privileges under ss. 379.353 and 379.354
645 may not be acquired for a 3-year period following the date of
646 the violation.
647 3. A person who commits a violation of s. 379.354(17) shall
648 receive a mandatory fine of $1,000. Any privileges under ss.
649 379.353 and 379.354 may not be acquired for a 5-year period
650 following the date of the violation.
651 Section 11. For the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the sum of
652 $91,207 in recurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is
653 appropriated to the Division of Arts and Culture of the
654 Department of State, and one full-time equivalent position with
655 associated salary rate of 68,771 is authorized, to implement and
656 administer the Florida Veterans’ History Program as created by
657 this act.
658 Section 12. For the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the sum of
659 $528,514 in nonrecurring funds is appropriated from the General
660 Revenue Fund to the University of Florida for the purpose of
661 conducting a longitudinal study on the efficacy of ketamine in
662 treating depression in the veteran population of this state.
663 Section 13. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.
