Florida Senate - 2014                        COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
       Bill No. SB 860
       
       
       
       
       
       
                                Ì936674IÎ936674                         
       
                              LEGISLATIVE ACTION                        
                    Senate             .             House              
                  Comm: RCS            .                                
                  03/06/2014           .                                
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       following:
       
       
    1         Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
    2  
    3  
    4         Delete everything after the enacting clause
    5  and insert:
    6         Section 1. Subsections (7) and (8) of section 250.10,
    7  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
    8         250.10 Appointment and duties of the Adjutant General.—
    9         (7) The Adjutant General shall develop an education
   10  assistance program for members in good standing of the Florida
   11  National Guard who enroll in an authorized course of study at a
   12  public or nonpublic postsecondary institution or technical
   13  center of higher learning in the state which has been accredited
   14  by an accrediting body recognized by the United States
   15  Department of Education or licensed by the Commission for
   16  Independent Education. Education assistance also may be used for
   17  training to obtain industry certifications approved by the
   18  Department of Education pursuant to s. 1008.44 and continuing
   19  education to maintain license certifications. The education
   20  assistance This program shall be known as the Educational
   21  Dollars for Duty program (EDD).
   22         (a) The program shall establish set forth application
   23  requirements, including, but not limited to, requirements that
   24  the applicant:
   25         1. Be 17 years of age or older.
   26         2. Be presently domiciled in the state.
   27         3. Be an active drilling member and in good standing in the
   28  Florida National Guard at the beginning of and throughout the
   29  entire academic term for which benefits are received.
   30         4. Maintain continuous satisfactory participation in the
   31  Florida National Guard for the any school term for which
   32  exemption benefits are received.
   33         5. Upon enrollment in the program, complete a memorandum of
   34  agreement to:
   35         a. Comply with the rules of the program. and
   36         b. Serve in the Florida National Guard for the period
   37  specified in the member’s enlistment or reenlistment contract.
   38         c. Authorize the release of information pursuant to
   39  subparagraph (d)6. by the postsecondary institution or technical
   40  center to the education service office of the Department of
   41  Military Affairs, subject to applicable federal and state law.
   42         (b) The program shall define those members of the Florida
   43  National Guard who are ineligible to participate in the program
   44  and those courses of study which are not authorized for the
   45  program.
   46         1. Ineligible members include, but are not limited to, a
   47  any member, commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted
   48  person who has obtained a master’s degree using the program.
   49         2. Inactive members of the Florida National Guard and
   50  members of the Individual Ready Reserve are not eligible to
   51  participate in the program.
   52         3.2. Courses not authorized include noncredit courses,
   53  courses that do not meet degree requirements, courses that do
   54  not meet requirements for completion of career training, or
   55  other courses as determined by program definitions.
   56         4. The program may not pay repeat course fees.
   57         (c) The program may include, but is not limited to:
   58         1. Courses at a public or nonpublic postsecondary
   59  institution or technical center in the state which is accredited
   60  by an accrediting body recognized by the United States
   61  Department of Education or licensed by the Commission for
   62  Independent Education.
   63         2. Training to obtain industry certifications, limited to
   64  certifications approved by the Department of Education under s.
   65  1008.44.
   66         3. Continuing education to maintain a license or
   67  certification. Notwithstanding subparagraph (b)1., members who
   68  have obtained a master’s degree using the program are eligible
   69  for funding under this subparagraph.
   70         4. Licensing and industry certification examination fees.
   71  Notwithstanding subparagraph (b)1., members who have obtained a
   72  master’s degree using the program are eligible for funding under
   73  this subparagraph.
   74         5. Notwithstanding subparagraph (b)3., developmental
   75  education courses.
   76         3. Developmental education courses are authorized for the
   77  program.
   78         (d)(c) The Adjutant General shall adopt rules for the
   79  overall policy, guidance, administration, implementation, and
   80  proper use of the program. Such rules must include, but need not
   81  be limited to:,
   82         1. Guidelines for certification by the Adjutant General of
   83  a guard member’s eligibility.,
   84         2. Procedures for notification to a postsecondary an
   85  institution or technical center of a guard member’s termination
   86  of eligibility., and
   87         3. Guidelines for approving courses of study that are
   88  authorized for the program, including online courses, industry
   89  certification training, and continuing education to maintain
   90  license certifications.
   91         4. Guidelines for approving the use of program funds for
   92  licensing and industry certification examination fees.
   93         5. Procedures for restitution when a guard member fails to
   94  comply with the penalties described in this section.
   95         6. Procedures that require a public or nonpublic
   96  postsecondary institution or technical center that receives
   97  funding from the program to provide information regarding course
   98  enrollment, course withdrawal, course cancellation, course
   99  completion, course failure, and grade verification of enrolled
  100  members to the education service office of the Department of
  101  Military Affairs.
  102         7. Guidelines for the payment of tuition and fees, not to
  103  exceed the highest in-state tuition rate charged by a public
  104  postsecondary institution in the state.
  105         (8) Subject to appropriations, the Department of Military
  106  Affairs may pay the full cost of tuition and fees for required
  107  courses for current members of the Florida National Guard.
  108  Members are eligible to use the program upon enlistment in the
  109  Florida National Guard. If a member is enrolled in a nonpublic
  110  postsecondary education institution or a nonpublic vocational
  111  technical program, the Department of Military Affairs shall pay
  112  an amount that may not exceed the rate of the highest in-state
  113  equal to the amount that would be required to pay for the
  114  average tuition and fees at a public postsecondary education
  115  institution or public vocational-technical program.
  116         (a) The Adjutant General shall give preference and priority
  117  to eligible members who have deployed on federal military orders
  118  while a member of the Florida National Guard.
  119         (b) The Department of Military Affairs may reimburse a
  120  member for student textbook and instructional material costs in
  121  accordance with limits set each fiscal year based on funding
  122  availability and regardless of the source of tuition funding,
  123  but only after tuition and fees for all eligible members are
  124  paid for that fiscal year.
  125         (a) A member may participate in the program if he or she
  126  maintains satisfactory participation in, and is an active
  127  drilling member of, the Florida National Guard. Inactive members
  128  of the Florida National Guard and members of the Individual
  129  Ready Reserve (IRR) are not eligible to participate in the
  130  program.
  131         (c)(b) Penalties for noncompliance with program
  132  requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:
  133         1. If a member of the Florida National Guard receives
  134  payment of tuition and fees for an any academic term and fails
  135  to maintain satisfactory participation in the Florida National
  136  Guard during that academic term, the member shall reimburse the
  137  Department of Military Affairs all tuition charges and student
  138  fees for the academic term for which the member received
  139  payment.
  140         2. If a member of the Florida National Guard leaves the
  141  Florida National Guard during the period specified in the
  142  member’s enlistment or reenlistment contract, the member shall
  143  reimburse the Department of Military Affairs all tuition charges
  144  and student fees for which the member received payments,
  145  regardless of whether the obligation to reimburse the department
  146  was incurred before, on, or after July 1, 2009, unless the
  147  Adjutant General finds that there are justifiable extenuating
  148  circumstances.
  149         3. If the service of a member of the Florida National Guard
  150  is terminated or the member is placed on scholastic probation
  151  while receiving payments, the member shall reimburse the
  152  Department of Military Affairs all tuition charges and student
  153  fees for the academic term for which the member received
  154  payment.
  155         4. If a member defaults on any reimbursement made under
  156  this paragraph, the department may charge the member the maximum
  157  interest rate authorized by law.
  158         Section 2. Beginning in the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the sum
  159  of $1.53 million in recurring funds is appropriated from the
  160  General Revenue Fund to the Department of Military Affairs to
  161  supplement the Educational Dollars for Duty program to ensure
  162  that Florida National Guard members are rewarded for their
  163  service to the country with the ability to pursue higher
  164  learning in the state pursuant to s. 250.10(7) and (8), Florida
  165  Statutes.
  166         Section 3. For the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the sum of
  167  $250,000 in nonrecurring funds is appropriated from the General
  168  Revenue Fund to the Department of Military Affairs for the
  169  purpose of information technology upgrades to accommodate
  170  administering and auditing the Educational Dollars for Duty
  171  program.
  172         Section 4. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 250.35,
  173  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  174         250.35 Courts-martial.—
  175         (1) The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), 10 U.S.C.
  176  ss. 801 et seq., and the Manual for Courts-Martial (2012 2008
  177  Edition) are adopted for use by the Florida National Guard,
  178  except as otherwise provided by this chapter.
  179         (2) Courts-martial may try a any member of the Florida
  180  National Guard for any crime or offense made punishable by the
  181  Uniform Code of Military Justice (2012 2008 Edition), except
  182  that a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or cadet may not
  183  be tried by summary courts-martial.
  184         Section 5. Effective upon this act becoming a law, section
  185  265.0031, Florida Statutes, is created to read:
  186         265.0031 Florida Veterans’ Walk of Honor and Florida
  187  Veterans’ Memorial Garden.—
  188         (1) To recognize and honor those military veterans who have
  189  made significant contributions to the state through their
  190  service to the United States, the Florida Veterans’ Walk of
  191  Honor and the Florida Veterans’ Memorial Garden are established.
  192         (2) The Florida Veterans’ Walk of Honor and the Florida
  193  Veterans’ Memorial Garden shall be administered by the direct
  194  support organization of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
  195  without funding from the state. However, donations made to the
  196  Florida Veterans’ Walk of Honor and the Florida Veterans’
  197  Memorial Garden shall be credited to the direct-support
  198  organization of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and used
  199  solely to support and maintain the Florida Veterans’ Walk of
  200  Honor, the Florida Veterans’ Memorial Garden, and other efforts
  201  of the direct-support organization.
  202         (3) The Department of Management Services, in consultation
  203  with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the direct-support
  204  organization of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, shall make
  205  space available on the Capitol Complex grounds for the
  206  construction of the Florida Veterans’ Walk of Honor and the
  207  Florida Veterans’ Memorial Garden.
  208         Section 6. Paragraph (d) is added to subsection (2) of
  209  section 288.0001, Florida Statutes, to read:
  210         288.0001 Economic Development Programs Evaluation.—The
  211  Office of Economic and Demographic Research and the Office of
  212  Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA)
  213  shall develop and present to the Governor, the President of the
  214  Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the
  215  chairs of the legislative appropriations committees the Economic
  216  Development Programs Evaluation.
  217         (2) The Office of Economic and Demographic Research and
  218  OPPAGA shall provide a detailed analysis of economic development
  219  programs as provided in the following schedule:
  220         (d) By January 1, 2019, and every 3 years thereafter, an
  221  analysis of the grant and entrepreneur initiative programs
  222  established under s. 295.22(3)(d) and (e).
  223         Section 7. Section 295.065, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  224  read:
  225         295.065 Legislative intent.—It is the intent of the
  226  Legislature to provide preference and priority in the hiring
  227  practices of this state as set forth in this chapter. In All
  228  written job announcements and audio and video advertisements
  229  used by employing agencies of the state and its political
  230  subdivisions must include a notice stating, there shall be a
  231  notation that certain servicemembers and veterans, and the
  232  spouses and family members of the servicemembers and veterans,
  233  receive preference and priority in employment by the state and
  234  are encouraged to apply for the positions being filled.
  235         Section 8. Subsections (1) and (3) of section 295.07,
  236  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  237         295.07 Preference in appointment and retention.—
  238         (1) The state and its political subdivisions in the state
  239  shall give preference in appointment and retention in positions
  240  of employment to:
  241         (a) Those disabled veterans:
  242         1. Who have served on active duty in any branch of the
  243  United States Armed Forces of the United States, have received
  244  an honorable discharge been separated therefrom under honorable
  245  conditions, and have established the present existence of a
  246  service-connected disability that which is compensable under
  247  public laws administered by the United States U.S. Department of
  248  Veterans Veterans’ Affairs;, or
  249         2. Who are receiving compensation, disability retirement
  250  benefits, or pension by reason of public laws administered by
  251  the United States U.S. Department of Veterans Veterans’ Affairs
  252  and the United States Department of Defense.
  253         (b) The spouse of a any person who has a total disability,
  254  permanent in nature, resulting from a service-connected
  255  disability and who, because of this disability, cannot qualify
  256  for employment, and the spouse of a any person missing in
  257  action, captured in line of duty by a hostile force, or forcibly
  258  detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or
  259  power.
  260         (c) A wartime veteran of any war as defined in s. 1.01(14),
  261  who has. The veteran must have served at least 1 day during a
  262  wartime period to be eligible for veterans’ preference. Active
  263  duty for training may shall not be allowed for eligibility under
  264  this paragraph.
  265         (d) The unremarried widow or widower of a veteran who died
  266  of a service-connected disability.
  267         (e) The mother, father, legal guardian, or unremarried
  268  widow or widower of a member of the United States Armed Forces
  269  who died in the line of duty under combat-related conditions, as
  270  verified by the United States Department of Defense.
  271         (f) A veteran as defined in s. 1.01(14). Active duty for
  272  training may not be allowed for eligibility under this
  273  paragraph.
  274         (g) A current member of any reserve component of the United
  275  States Armed Forces or the Florida National Guard.
  276         (3) Preference in employment and retention may be given
  277  only to eligible persons who are described in subsection (1) and
  278  who are residents of this state.
  279         Section 9. Section 295.08, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  280  read:
  281         295.08 Positions for which a numerically based selection
  282  process is used.—For positions for which an examination is used
  283  to determine the qualifications for entrance into employment
  284  with the state or political subdivisions in the state, 15 points
  285  shall be added to the earned ratings of a person included under
  286  s. 295.07(1)(a) or (b), 10 points shall be added to the earned
  287  ratings of a any person included under s. 295.07(1)(c), (d), or
  288  (e) 295.07(1)(a) or (b), and 5 points shall be added to the
  289  earned rating of a any person included under s. 295.07(1)(f) or
  290  (g) 295.07(1)(c) and (d), if the person has obtained a
  291  qualifying score on the examination for the position. The names
  292  of persons eligible for preference shall be entered on an
  293  appropriate register or list in accordance with their respective
  294  augmented ratings. However, except for classes of positions with
  295  Federal Government designations of professional or technician,
  296  the names of all persons qualified to receive a 15-point 10
  297  point preference whose service-connected disabilities have been
  298  rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its
  299  predecessor or the United States Department of Defense to be 30
  300  percent or more shall be placed at the top of the appropriate
  301  register or employment list, in accordance with their respective
  302  augmented ratings. The respective augmented rating is the
  303  examination score or evaluated score in addition to the
  304  applicable veteran’s preference points.
  305         Section 10. Section 295.085, Florida Statutes, is amended
  306  to read:
  307         295.085 Positions for which a numerically based selection
  308  process is not used.—In all positions in which the appointment
  309  or employment of persons is not subject to a written
  310  examination, with the exception of positions that are exempt
  311  under s. 295.07(4), first preference in appointment, employment,
  312  and retention shall be given by the state and political
  313  subdivisions in the state to a person persons included under s.
  314  295.07(1)(a) or (b) 295.07(1)(a) and (b), and second preference
  315  shall be given to a person persons included under s.
  316  295.07(1)(c), (d), (e), (f), or (g) 295.07(1)(c) and (d) who
  317  possesses possess the minimum qualifications necessary to
  318  discharge the duties of the position involved.
  319         Section 11. Section 295.188, Florida Statutes, is created
  320  to read:
  321         295.188 Preference in hiring veterans for private
  322  employers.—
  323         (1) The Legislature intends to establish a permissive
  324  preference in private employment for certain veterans.
  325         (2) A private employer may adopt an employment policy that
  326  gives preference in hiring to an honorably discharged veteran,
  327  as defined in s. 1.01(14); the spouse of a veteran with a
  328  service-connected disability, as described in s. 295.07(1)(b);
  329  the unremarried widow or widower of a veteran who died of a
  330  service-connected disability, as described in s. 295.07(1)(d);
  331  or the unremarried widow or widower of a member of the United
  332  States Armed Forces who died in the line of duty under combat
  333  related conditions. Such policy shall be applied uniformly to
  334  employment decisions regarding hiring and promotion.
  335         (3) These preferences are not considered violations of any
  336  state or local equal employment opportunity law.
  337         Section 12. Section 295.21, Florida Statutes, is created to
  338  read:
  339         295.21 Florida Is For Veterans, Inc.—
  340         (1) CREATION.—There is created within the Department of
  341  Veterans’ Affairs a nonprofit corporation, to be known as
  342  “Florida Is For Veterans, Inc.,” which shall be registered,
  343  incorporated, organized, and operated in compliance with chapter
  344  617, and which is not a unit or entity of state government. As
  345  used in this section and s. 295.22, unless the context indicates
  346  otherwise, the term “corporation” means Florida Is For Veterans,
  347  Inc. The corporation shall be a separate budget entity and is
  348  not subject to the control, supervision, or direction of the
  349  department in any manner, including, but not limited to,
  350  personnel, purchasing, transactions involving real or personal
  351  property, or budgetary matters.
  352         (2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the corporation is to promote
  353  Florida as a veteran-friendly state that seeks to provide
  354  veterans with employment opportunities and that promotes the
  355  hiring of veterans by the business community. The corporation
  356  shall encourage retired and recently separated military
  357  personnel to remain in the state or to make the state their
  358  permanent residence. The corporation shall promote the value of
  359  military skill sets to businesses in the state, assist in
  360  tailoring the training of veterans to match the needs of the
  361  employment marketplace, and enhance the entrepreneurial skills
  362  of veterans.
  363         (3) DUTIES.—The corporation shall:
  364         (a) Conduct research to identify the target market and the
  365  educational and employment needs of those in the target market.
  366  The corporation shall contract with at least one entity pursuant
  367  to the competitive bidding requirements in s. 287.057 and the
  368  provisions of s. 295.187 to perform the research. Such entity
  369  must have experience conducting market research on the veteran
  370  demographic. The corporation shall seek input from the Florida
  371  Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation on the scope, process,
  372  and focus of such research.
  373         (b) Advise the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing
  374  Corporation, pursuant to s. 295.23, on:
  375         1. The target market as identified in paragraph (a).
  376         2. Development and implementation of a marketing campaign
  377  to encourage members of the target market to remain in the state
  378  or to make the state their permanent residence.
  379         3. Methods for disseminating information to the target
  380  market that relates to the interests and needs of veterans of
  381  all ages and facilitates veterans’ knowledge of and access to
  382  benefits.
  383         (c) Promote and enhance the value of military skill sets to
  384  businesses.
  385         (d) Implement the Veterans Employment and Training Services
  386  Program established by s. 295.22.
  387         (e) Responsibly and prudently manage all funds received and
  388  ensure that the use of such funds conforms to all applicable
  389  laws, bylaws, or contractual requirements.
  390         (f) Administer the programs created in this section and s.
  391  295.22.
  392         (4) GOVERNANCE.—
  393         (a) The corporation shall be governed by a nine-member
  394  board of directors. The Governor, the President of the Senate,
  395  and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each
  396  appoint three members to the board. In making appointments, the
  397  Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
  398  House of Representatives must consider representation by active
  399  or retired military personnel and their spouses representing a
  400  range of ages and persons with expertise in business, education,
  401  marketing, and information management.
  402         (b) The board of directors shall annually elect a chair
  403  from among the board’s members.
  404         (c) Each member of the board of directors shall be
  405  appointed for a term of 4 years, except that, to achieve
  406  staggered terms, the initial appointees of the Governor shall
  407  serve terms of 2 years. A member is ineligible for reappointment
  408  to the board except that a member appointed to a term of 2 years
  409  or less may be reappointed for an additional term of 4 years.
  410  The initial appointments to the board must be made by July 15,
  411  2014. Vacancies on the board shall be filled in the same manner
  412  as the original appointment. A vacancy that occurs before the
  413  scheduled expiration of the term of the member shall be filled
  414  for the remainder of the unexpired term.
  415         (d) The Legislature finds that it is in the public interest
  416  for the members of the board of directors to be subject to the
  417  requirements of ss. 112.313, 112.3135, and 112.3143.
  418  Notwithstanding the fact that they are not public officers or
  419  employees, for purposes of ss. 112.313, 112.3135, and 112.3143,
  420  the board members shall be considered to be public officers or
  421  employees. In addition to the postemployment restrictions of s.
  422  112.313(9), a person appointed to the board of directors may not
  423  have direct interest in a contract, franchise, privilege,
  424  project, program, or other benefit arising from an award by the
  425  corporation during the appointment term and for 2 years after
  426  the termination of such appointment. A person who accepts
  427  appointment to the board of directors in violation of this
  428  subsection, or accepts a direct interest in a contract,
  429  franchise, privilege, project, program, or other benefit granted
  430  by the corporation to an awardee within 2 years after the
  431  termination of his or her service on the board, commits a
  432  misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.
  433  775.082 or s. 775.083. Further, each member of the board of
  434  directors who is not otherwise required to file financial
  435  disclosure under s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution or s.
  436  112.3144 shall file a statement of financial interests under s.
  437  112.3145.
  438         (e) Each member of the board of directors shall serve
  439  without compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for travel
  440  and per diem expenses as provided in s. 112.061 while performing
  441  his or her duties.
  442         (f) Each member of the board of directors is accountable
  443  for the proper performance of the duties of office and owes a
  444  fiduciary duty to the people of this state to ensure that awards
  445  provided are disbursed and used as prescribed by law and
  446  contract. An appointed member of the board of directors may be
  447  removed by the officer who appointed the member for malfeasance,
  448  misfeasance, neglect of duty, incompetence, permanent inability
  449  to perform official duties, unexcused absence from three
  450  consecutive board meetings, arrest or indictment for a crime
  451  that is a felony or a misdemeanor involving theft or a crime of
  452  dishonesty, or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to or being
  453  found guilty of any crime.
  454         (g) A majority of the members of the board of directors
  455  constitutes a quorum. Council meetings may be held via
  456  teleconference or other electronic means.
  457         (5) POWERS.—In addition to the powers and duties prescribed
  458  in chapter 617 and the articles and bylaws adopted thereunder,
  459  the board of directors may:
  460         (a) Make and enter into contracts and other instruments
  461  necessary or convenient for the exercise of its powers and
  462  functions. However, notwithstanding s. 617.0302, the corporation
  463  may not issue bonds.
  464         (b) Make expenditures, including any necessary
  465  administrative expenditure.
  466         (c) Adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws, consistent with the
  467  powers granted to it under this section or the articles of
  468  incorporation, for the administration of the activities of the
  469  corporation, and the exercise of its corporate powers.
  470         (d) Accept funding for its programs and activities from
  471  federal, state, local, and private sources.
  472         (e) Adopt and register a fictitious name for use in its
  473  marketing activities.
  474  
  475  The credit of the State of Florida may not be pledged on behalf
  476  of the corporation.
  477         (6) PUBLIC RECORDS AND MEETINGS.—The corporation is subject
  478  to the provisions of chapters 119 and 286 relating to public
  479  records and meetings, respectively.
  480         (7) STAFFING AND ASSISTANCE.—
  481         (a) The corporation is authorized to hire or contract for
  482  all staff necessary for the proper execution of its powers and
  483  duties. All employees of the corporation shall comply with the
  484  Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees under part III
  485  of chapter 112. Corporation staff must agree to refrain from
  486  having any direct interest in any contract, franchise,
  487  privilege, project, program, or other benefit arising from an
  488  award by the corporation during the term of their appointment
  489  and for 2 years after the termination of such appointment.
  490         (b) All agencies of the state are authorized and directed
  491  to provide such technical assistance as the corporation may
  492  require to identify programs within each agency which provide
  493  assistance or benefits to veterans who are located in this state
  494  or who are considering relocation to this state.
  495         (c) The Department of Veterans’ Affairs may authorize the
  496  corporation’s use of the department’s property, facilities, and
  497  personnel services, subject to this section. The department may
  498  prescribe by contract any condition with which the corporation
  499  must comply in order to use the department’s property,
  500  facilities, or personnel services.
  501         (d) The department may not authorize the use of its
  502  property, facilities, or personnel services if the corporation
  503  does not provide equal employment opportunities to all persons
  504  regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, or national
  505  origin.
  506         (8) ANNUAL REPORT.—The corporation shall submit an annual
  507  progress report and work plan by December 1 to the Governor, the
  508  President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
  509  Representatives. The report must include:
  510         (a) Status and summary of findings regarding the target
  511  market, veteran benefits, and any identified gaps in services.
  512         (b) Status of the marketing campaign, delivery systems of
  513  the marketing campaign, and outreach to the target market.
  514         (c) Status of the Veterans Employment and Training Services
  515  Program administered under s. 295.22.
  516         (d) Proposed revisions or additions to performance
  517  measurements for the programs administered by the corporation.
  518         (e) Identification of contracts that the corporation has
  519  entered into to carry out its duties.
  520         (f) An annual compliance and financial audit of accounts
  521  and records for the previous fiscal year prepared by an
  522  independent certified public accountant pursuant to rules
  523  adopted by the Auditor General.
  524         (9) DISSOLUTION.—All moneys and property held by the
  525  corporation shall revert to the state if the corporation ceases
  526  to exist.
  527         Section 13. Section 295.22, Florida Statutes, is created to
  528  read:
  529         295.22 Veterans Employment and Training Services Program.—
  530         (1) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.—The Legislature finds
  531  that the state has a compelling interest in ensuring that each
  532  veteran who is a resident of the state finds employment that
  533  meets his or her professional goals and receives the training or
  534  education necessary to meet those goals. The Legislature also
  535  finds that connecting dedicated, well-trained veterans with
  536  businesses that need a dedicated, well-trained workforce is of
  537  paramount importance. The Legislature recognizes that veterans
  538  may not currently have the skills to meet the workforce needs of
  539  Florida employers and may require assistance in obtaining
  540  additional workforce training or in transitioning their skills
  541  to meet the demands of the marketplace. It is the intent of the
  542  Legislature that the Veterans Employment and Training Services
  543  Program coordinate and meet the needs of veterans and the
  544  business community to enhance the economy of this state.
  545         (2) CREATION.—The Veterans Employment and Training Services
  546  Program is created within the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to
  547  assist in linking veterans in search of employment with
  548  businesses seeking to hire dedicated, well-trained workers. The
  549  purpose of the program is to meet the workforce demands of
  550  businesses in the state by facilitating access to training and
  551  education in high-demand fields for veterans.
  552         (3) ADMINISTRATION.—Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., shall
  553  administer the Veterans Employment and Training Services Program
  554  and perform all of the following functions:
  555         (a) Conduct marketing and recruiting efforts directed at
  556  veterans who reside in or who have an interest in relocating to
  557  this state and who are seeking employment. Marketing must
  558  include information related to how a veteran’s military
  559  experience can be valuable to a business. Such efforts may
  560  include attending veteran job fairs and events, hosting events
  561  for veterans or the business community, and using digital and
  562  social media and direct mail campaigns. The corporation shall
  563  also include such marketing as part of its main marketing
  564  campaign.
  565         (b) Assist veterans who reside in or relocate to this state
  566  and who are seeking employment. The corporation shall offer
  567  skills assessments to veterans and assist them in establishing
  568  employment goals and applying for and achieving gainful
  569  employment.
  570         1. Assessment may include skill match information, skill
  571  gap analysis, resume creation, translation of military skills
  572  into civilian workforce skills, and translation of military
  573  achievements and experience into generally understood civilian
  574  workforce skills.
  575         2. Assistance may include providing the veteran with
  576  information on current workforce demand by industry or
  577  geographic region, creating employment goals, and aiding or
  578  teaching general knowledge related to completing applications.
  579  The corporation may provide information related to industry
  580  certifications approved by the Department of Education under s.
  581  1008.44 as well as information related to earning academic
  582  college credit at public postsecondary educational institutions
  583  for college-level training and education acquired in the
  584  military under s. 1004.096.
  585         3. The corporation shall encourage veterans to register
  586  with the state’s job bank system and may refer veterans to local
  587  one-stop career centers for further services. The corporation
  588  shall provide each veteran with information about state
  589  workforce programs and shall consolidate information about all
  590  available resources on one website that, if possible, includes a
  591  hyperlink to each resource’s website and contact information, if
  592  available. If appropriate, a veteran shall be encouraged to
  593  participate in the Complete Florida Degree Program established
  594  under s. 1006.735.
  595         4. Assessment and assistance may be in person or by
  596  electronic means, as determined by the corporation to be most
  597  efficient and best meet the needs of veterans.
  598         (c) Assist Florida businesses in recruiting and hiring
  599  veterans. The corporation shall provide services to Florida
  600  businesses to meet their hiring needs by connecting businesses
  601  with suitable veteran applicants for employment. Suitable
  602  applicants include veterans who have appropriate job skills or
  603  may need additional training to meet the specific needs of a
  604  business. The corporation shall also provide information about
  605  the state and federal benefits of hiring veterans.
  606         (d) Create a grant program to provide funding to assist
  607  veterans in meeting the workforce-skill needs of businesses
  608  seeking to hire veterans, establish criteria for approval of
  609  requests for funding, and maximize the use of funding for this
  610  program. Grant funds may be used only in the absence of
  611  available veteran-specific federally funded programs. Grants may
  612  fund specialized training specific to a particular business.
  613         1. Grant funds may be allocated to any training provider
  614  selected by the business, including a career center, a Florida
  615  College System institution, a state university, or an in-house
  616  training provider of the business. If grant funds are used to
  617  provide a technical certificate, a licensure, or a degree, funds
  618  may be allocated only upon a review that includes, but is not
  619  limited to, accreditation and licensure documentation.
  620  Instruction funded through the program must terminate when
  621  participants demonstrate competence at the level specified in
  622  the request; however, the grant term may not exceed 48 months.
  623  Preference shall be given to target industry businesses, as
  624  defined in s. 288.106, and to businesses in the defense supply,
  625  cloud virtualization, or commercial aviation manufacturing
  626  industries.
  627         2. Costs and expenditures for the grant program must be
  628  documented and separated from those incurred by the training
  629  provider. Costs and expenditures shall be limited to $8,000 per
  630  veteran trainee. Eligible costs and expenditures include:
  631         a. Tuition and fees.
  632         b. Curriculum development.
  633         c. Books and classroom materials.
  634         d. Rental fees for facilities at public colleges and
  635  universities, including virtual training labs.
  636         e. Overhead or indirect costs not to exceed 5 percent of
  637  the grant amount.
  638         3. Before funds are allocated for a request pursuant to
  639  this section, the corporation shall prepare a grant agreement
  640  between the business requesting funds, the educational
  641  institution or training provider receiving funding through the
  642  program, and the corporation. Such agreement must include, but
  643  need not be limited to:
  644         a. Identification of the personnel necessary to conduct the
  645  instructional program, the qualifications of such personnel, and
  646  the respective responsibilities of the parties for paying costs
  647  associated with the employment of such personnel.
  648         b. Identification of the match provided by the business,
  649  including cash and in-kind contributions, equal to at least 50
  650  percent of the total grant amount.
  651         c. Identification of the estimated duration of the
  652  instructional program.
  653         d. Identification of all direct, training-related costs.
  654         e. Identification of special program requirements that are
  655  not otherwise addressed in the agreement.
  656         f. Permission to access aggregate information specific to
  657  the wages and performance of participants upon the completion of
  658  instruction for evaluation purposes. The agreement must specify
  659  that any evaluation published subsequent to the instruction may
  660  not identify the employer or any individual participant.
  661         4. A business may receive a grant under the Quick-Response
  662  Training Program created under s. 288.047 and a grant under this
  663  section for the same veteran trainee. If a business receives
  664  funds under both programs, one grant agreement may be entered
  665  into with Workforce Florida, Inc., as the grant administrator.
  666         (e) Contract with one or more entities to administer an
  667  entrepreneur initiative program for veterans in this state which
  668  connects business leaders in the state with veterans seeking to
  669  become entrepreneurs.
  670         1. The corporation shall award each contract in accordance
  671  with the competitive bidding requirements in s. 287.057 to one
  672  or more public or private universities that:
  673         a. Demonstrate the ability to implement the program and the
  674  commitment of university resources, including financial
  675  resources, to such programs.
  676         b. Have a military and veteran resource center.
  677         c. Have a regional small business development center in the
  678  Florida Small Business Development Center Network.
  679         d. As determined by the corporation, have been nationally
  680  recognized for commitment to the military and veterans.
  681         2. Each contract must include performance metrics,
  682  including a focus on employment and business creation. Each
  683  university must coordinate with any entrepreneurship center
  684  located at the university. The university may also work with an
  685  entity offering related programs to refer veterans or to provide
  686  services. The entrepreneur initiative program may include
  687  activities and assistance such as peer-to-peer learning
  688  sessions, mentoring, technical assistance, business roundtables,
  689  networking opportunities, support of student organizations,
  690  speaker series, or other tools within a virtual environment.
  691         (4) DUTIES OF ENTERPRISE FLORIDA, INC.—Enterprise Florida,
  692  Inc., shall provide information about the corporation and its
  693  services to prospective, new, expanding, and relocating
  694  businesses seeking to conduct business in this state. Enterprise
  695  Florida, Inc., shall, to the greatest extent possible,
  696  collaborate with the corporation to meet the employment needs,
  697  including meeting the job creation requirements, of any business
  698  receiving assistance or services from Enterprise Florida, Inc.
  699         Section 14. Section 295.23, Florida Statutes, is created to
  700  read:
  701         295.23 Veterans research and marketing campaign.—
  702         (1) The Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation
  703  shall:
  704         (a) Provide input to Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., on
  705  research to identify the target market and the educational and
  706  employment needs of those in the target market.
  707         (b) Develop and conduct a marketing campaign to encourage
  708  retired and recently separated military personnel to remain in
  709  the state or to make the state their permanent residence.
  710         (c) Develop a process for the dissemination of information
  711  to the target market and targeting that information to the
  712  interests and needs of veterans of all ages to facilitate
  713  veterans’ knowledge of and access to benefits.
  714         (2) The Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation
  715  shall seek advice from Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., on the
  716  scope, process, and focus of the marketing campaign. Input must
  717  be received before invitations to bid, requests for proposals,
  718  or invitations to negotiate for contracted services are
  719  advertised. Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., shall be kept
  720  informed at each stage of the marketing campaign and may provide
  721  recommendations to the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing
  722  Corporation to ensure that the effort effectively reaches
  723  veterans.
  724         (3) For the purposes of this section, the Florida Tourism
  725  Industry Marketing Corporation shall expend $1 million annually
  726  on marketing the state to veterans as a permanent home and on
  727  information dissemination to improve veterans’ knowledge of and
  728  access to benefits through a combination of existing funds
  729  appropriated to the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing
  730  Corporation by the Legislature and private funds.
  731         Section 15. For fiscal year 2014-2015, the Florida Tourism
  732  Industry Marketing Corporation shall provide Florida Is For
  733  Veterans, Inc., $300,000 to conduct market research pursuant to
  734  s. 295.21(3)(a), Florida Statutes.
  735         Section 16. For the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the sum of
  736  $56,768 in recurring funds and $4,258 in nonrecurring funds are
  737  appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of
  738  Veterans’ Affairs, and one full-time equivalent position with
  739  associated salary rate of 36,350, is authorized to assist
  740  Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., in performing state financial
  741  activities. The funds appropriated in this section shall be
  742  released pursuant to s. 216.192, Florida Statutes.
  743         Section 17. For the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the sum of
  744  $344,106 in recurring funds and $14,391 in nonrecurring funds
  745  from the General Revenue Fund is appropriated to the Department
  746  of Veterans’ Affairs for the purpose of funding the costs for
  747  startup, staffing, and general operations of the Florida Is For
  748  Veterans, Inc. The funds appropriated in this section shall be
  749  released pursuant to s. 216.192, Florida Statutes.
  750         Section 18. By August 15, 2014, Florida Is For Veterans,
  751  Inc., shall submit a plan to the Legislative Budget Commission,
  752  through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, pursuant to s.
  753  216.177, Florida Statutes. The plan shall:
  754         (1) Provide a strategy and framework for the general
  755  operations of Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., including the
  756  fulfillment of its purpose, duties, and goals as provided in ss.
  757  295.21 and 295.22, Florida Statutes;
  758         (2) Include specific performance measures by which Florida
  759  Is For Veterans, Inc., and its functions shall be evaluated; and
  760         (3) Include details of the existing expenditures and
  761  obligations of Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., as well as a
  762  budget and timelines for expected expenditures related both to
  763  general operations and to products, services, and grants to be
  764  provided under programs administered by Florida Is For Veterans,
  765  Inc.
  766  
  767  Copies of the plan shall also be submitted to the President of
  768  the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The
  769  Legislative Budget Commission must approve the plan, including
  770  the performance measures, before Florida Is For Veterans, Inc.,
  771  may expend funds for the duties required under s. 295.22,
  772  Florida Statutes.
  773         Section 19. By August 15, 2014, the Florida Tourism
  774  Industry Marketing Corporation and Florida Is For Veterans,
  775  Inc., shall jointly develop and submit to the Legislative Budget
  776  Commission, through the Department of Economic Opportunity,
  777  pursuant to s. 216.177, Florida Statutes, specific performance
  778  measures by which the research and marketing campaign
  779  established under s. 295.23, Florida Statutes, shall be
  780  evaluated. Copies of the performance measures shall also be
  781  submitted to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the
  782  House of Representatives. The Legislative Budget Commission must
  783  approve the performance measures before the Florida Tourism
  784  Industry Marketing Corporation or Florida Is For Veterans, Inc.,
  785  may expend funds for the duties required under s. 295.23,
  786  Florida Statutes.
  787         Section 20. By February 2, 2016, Florida Is For Veterans,
  788  Inc., shall submit a report to the Governor, the President of
  789  the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives
  790  identifying existing gaps in veteran resources and recommending
  791  best practices that may be used to assist veterans and
  792  improvements to current or new resources and programs.
  793         Section 21. By February 1, 2018, the Office of Program
  794  Policy Analysis and Government Accountability shall conduct a
  795  performance audit of Florida Is For Veterans, Inc. The audit
  796  shall assess the implementation and outcomes of activities under
  797  ss. 295.21 and 295.22, Florida Statutes, and evaluate the
  798  corporation’s accomplishments and progress toward making Florida
  799  a veteran-friendly state. The audit must provide recommendations
  800  for any necessary improvements. The report of the audit’s
  801  findings shall be submitted to the President of the Senate and
  802  the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
  803         Section 22. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
  804  296.06, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  805         296.06 State policy; eligibility requirements.—
  806         (2) To be eligible for residency in the home, a veteran
  807  must:
  808         (b) Have been a resident of the state for 1 year
  809  immediately preceding application and Be a resident of the state
  810  at the time of application.
  811         Section 23. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
  812  296.36, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  813         296.36 Eligibility and priority of admittance.—
  814         (1) To be eligible for admittance to the home, the person
  815  must be a veteran as provided in s. 1.01(14) or have eligible
  816  peacetime service as defined in s. 296.02 and must:
  817         (b) Be Have been a resident of the state for 1 year
  818  immediately preceding, and at the time of application for,
  819  admission to the home.
  820         Section 24. Subsection (12) of section 455.213, Florida
  821  Statutes, is amended to read:
  822         455.213 General licensing provisions.—
  823         (12) The department shall waive the initial licensing fee,
  824  the initial application fee, and the initial unlicensed activity
  825  fee for a military veteran or his or her spouse at the time of
  826  discharge, if he or she who applies to the department for a
  827  license, in a format prescribed by the department, within 60 24
  828  months after the veteran is discharged discharge from any branch
  829  of the United States Armed Forces. To qualify for this waiver,
  830  the veteran must have been honorably discharged.
  831         Section 25. Subsection (13) of section 456.013, Florida
  832  Statutes, is amended to read:
  833         456.013 Department; general licensing provisions.—
  834         (13) The department shall waive the initial licensing fee,
  835  the initial application fee, and the initial unlicensed activity
  836  fee for a military veteran or his or her spouse at the time of
  837  discharge, if he or she who applies to the department for an
  838  initial license within 60 24 months after the veteran is being
  839  honorably discharged from any branch of the United States Armed
  840  Forces. The applicant must apply for the fee waiver using a form
  841  prescribed by the department and must submit supporting
  842  documentation as required by the department.
  843         Section 26. Present subsection (3) of section 456.024,
  844  Florida Statutes, is renumbered as subsection (4), and a new
  845  subsection (3) is added to that section, to read:
  846         456.024 Members of Armed Forces in good standing with
  847  administrative boards or the department; spouses; licensure.—
  848         (3) A person who serves or has served as a health care
  849  practitioner in the United States Armed Forces, United States
  850  Reserve Forces, or the National Guard or a person who serves or
  851  has served on active duty with the United States Armed Forces as
  852  a health care practitioner in the United States Public Health
  853  Service is eligible for licensure in this state. The department
  854  shall develop an application form and each board, or the
  855  department if there is no board, shall waive the application
  856  fee, licensure fee, and unlicensed activity fee for such
  857  applicants. For purposes of this subsection, “health care
  858  practitioner” means a health care practitioner as defined in s.
  859  456.001 and a person licensed under part III of chapter 401 or
  860  part IV of chapter 468.
  861         (a) The board, or department if there is no board, shall
  862  issue a license to practice in this state to a person who:
  863         1. Submits a complete application.
  864         2. Receives an honorable discharge within 6 months before,
  865  or will receive an honorable discharge within 6 months after,
  866  the date of submission of the application.
  867         3. Holds an active, unencumbered license issued by another
  868  state, the District of Columbia, or a possession or territory of
  869  the United States and who has not had disciplinary action taken
  870  against him or her in the 5 years preceding the date of
  871  submission of the application.
  872         4. Attests that he or she is not, at the time of
  873  submission, the subject of a disciplinary proceeding in a
  874  jurisdiction in which he or she holds a license or by the United
  875  States Department of Defense for reasons related to the practice
  876  of the profession for which he or she is applying.
  877         5. Actively practiced the profession for which he or she is
  878  applying for the 3 years preceding the date of submission of the
  879  application.
  880         6. Submits a set of fingerprints for a background screening
  881  pursuant to s. 456.0135, if required for the profession for
  882  which he or she is applying.
  883  
  884  The department shall verify information submitted by the
  885  applicant under this subsection using the National Practitioner
  886  Data Bank.
  887         (b) Each applicant who meets the requirements of this
  888  subsection shall be licensed with all rights and
  889  responsibilities as defined by law. The applicable board, or
  890  department if there is no board, may deny an application if the
  891  applicant has been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo
  892  contendere to, regardless of adjudication, any felony or
  893  misdemeanor related to the practice of a health care profession
  894  regulated by this state.
  895         (c) An applicant for initial licensure under this
  896  subsection must submit the information required by ss.
  897  456.039(1) and 456.0391(1) no later than 1 year after the
  898  license is issued.
  899         Section 27. Subsection (1) of section 468.304, Florida
  900  Statutes, is amended to read:
  901         468.304 Certification.—The department shall certify any
  902  applicant who meets the following criteria:
  903         (1) Pays to the department a nonrefundable fee that may not
  904  exceed $100, plus the actual per-applicant cost to the
  905  department for purchasing the examination from a national
  906  organization. The department shall waive the initial application
  907  fee for a military veteran or his or her spouse at the time of
  908  discharge, if he or she who applies to the department for an
  909  initial certification within 60 24 months after the veteran is
  910  being honorably discharged from any branch of the United States
  911  Armed Forces. The applicant must apply for the fee waiver using
  912  a form prescribed by the department and must submit supporting
  913  documentation as required by the department. This waiver does
  914  not include the fee for purchasing the examination from a
  915  national organization.
  916  
  917  The department may not certify any applicant who has committed
  918  an offense that would constitute a violation of any of the
  919  provisions of s. 468.3101 or applicable rules if the applicant
  920  had been certified by the department at the time of the offense.
  921  An application for a limited computed tomography certificate may
  922  not be accepted. A person holding a valid computed tomography
  923  certificate as of October 1, 1984, is subject to s. 468.309.
  924         Section 28. Paragraph (b) of subsection (16) of section
  925  499.012, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  926         499.012 Permit application requirements.—
  927         (16)
  928         (b) To be certified as a designated representative, a
  929  natural person must:
  930         1. Submit an application on a form furnished by the
  931  department and pay the appropriate fees.;
  932         2. Be at least 18 years of age.;
  933         3. Have at least not less than 2 years of verifiable full
  934  time:
  935         a. Work experience in a pharmacy licensed in this state or
  936  another state, where the person’s responsibilities included, but
  937  were not limited to, recordkeeping for prescription drugs;, or
  938  have not less than 2 years of verifiable full-time
  939         b. Managerial experience with a prescription drug wholesale
  940  distributor licensed in this state or in another state; or
  941         c. Managerial experience with the United States Armed
  942  Forces, where the person’s responsibilities included, but were
  943  not limited to, recordkeeping, warehousing, distributing, or
  944  other logistics services pertaining to prescription drugs.;
  945         4. Receive a passing score of at least 75 percent on an
  946  examination given by the department regarding federal laws
  947  governing distribution of prescription drugs and this part and
  948  the rules adopted by the department governing the wholesale
  949  distribution of prescription drugs. This requirement shall be
  950  effective 1 year after the results of the initial examination
  951  are mailed to the persons that took the examination. The
  952  department shall offer such examinations at least four times
  953  each calendar year.; and
  954         5. Provide the department with a personal information
  955  statement and fingerprints pursuant to subsection (9).
  956         Section 29. Present subsection (27) of section 1002.33,
  957  Florida Statutes, is renumbered as subsection (28), and a new
  958  subsection (27) is added to that section, to read:
  959         1002.33 Charter schools.—
  960         (27) MILITARY INSTALLATIONS.—
  961         (a) The Legislature finds that military families face
  962  unique challenges due to the highly mobile nature of military
  963  service. Among the many challenges that military families face
  964  is providing a high-quality education for their children without
  965  disruption. The state has a compelling interest in assisting the
  966  development and enhancement of learning opportunities for
  967  military children and addressing their unique needs.
  968         (b) It is the intent of the Legislature that a framework be
  969  established to address the needs of military children who, along
  970  with their families, face unique challenges due to the highly
  971  mobile nature of military service. In establishing this
  972  framework, military installation commanders are encouraged to
  973  collaboratively work with the Commissioner of Education to
  974  increase military family student achievement, which may include
  975  the establishment of charter schools on military installations.
  976  Although the State Board of Education, through the Commissioner
  977  of Education, shall supervise this collaboration, the applicable
  978  school district shall operate and maintain control over any
  979  school that is established on the military installation.
  980         Section 30. Subsection (12) is added to section 1009.26,
  981  Florida Statutes, to read:
  982         1009.26 Fee waivers.—
  983         (12)(a) There is established the Congressman C. W. Bill
  984  Young Veteran Tuition Waiver Program. A state university,
  985  Florida College System institution, career center operated by a
  986  school district under s. 1001.44, or charter technical career
  987  center shall waive out-of-state fees for an honorably discharged
  988  veteran of the United States Armed Forces, the United States
  989  Reserve Forces, or the National Guard who physically resides in
  990  this state while enrolled in the institution. Tuition and fees
  991  charged to a veteran who qualifies for the out-of-state fee
  992  waiver under this subsection may not exceed the tuition and fees
  993  charged to a resident student. The waiver is applicable for 110
  994  percent of the required credit hours of the degree or
  995  certificate program for which the student is enrolled. Each
  996  state university, Florida College System institution, career
  997  center operated by a school district under s. 1001.44, and
  998  charter technical career center shall report to the Board of
  999  Governors and the State Board of Education, respectively, the
 1000  number and value of all fee waivers granted annually under this
 1001  subsection.
 1002         (b) This subsection may be cited as the “Congressman C.W.
 1003  Bill Young Tuition Waiver Act.”
 1004         Section 31. For the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the sum of $12.5
 1005  million in nonrecurring funds is appropriated from the General
 1006  Revenue Fund to the Department of Military Affairs for the
 1007  purpose of continuing renovations to state readiness centers to
 1008  meet state and federal building codes.
 1009         Section 32. For the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the sum of
 1010  $7,489,975 in nonrecurring funds is appropriated from the
 1011  General Revenue Fund to the Department of Environmental
 1012  Protection to allow the Board of Trustees of the Internal
 1013  Improvement Trust Fund to acquire, pursuant to s. 288.980,
 1014  Florida Statutes, nonconservation land adjacent to the following
 1015  installations for the purpose of securing and protecting the
 1016  installations against encroachment:
 1017         (1) MacDill Air Force Base.
 1018         (2) Naval Support Activity Panama City.
 1019         (3) Naval Station Mayport.
 1020         Section 33. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
 1021  act and except for this section, which shall take effect upon
 1022  this act becoming a law, this act shall take effect July 1,
 1023  2014.
 1024  
 1025  ================= T I T L E  A M E N D M E N T ================
 1026  And the title is amended as follows:
 1027         Delete everything before the enacting clause
 1028  and insert:
 1029                        A bill to be entitled                      
 1030         An act relating to military and veteran support;
 1031         amending s. 250.10, F.S.; revising participation
 1032         requirements and authorizing certain courses for the
 1033         Educational Dollars for Duty program; directing the
 1034         Adjutant General to adopt certain rules; providing
 1035         appropriations; amending s. 250.35, F.S.; updating
 1036         references with respect to courts-martial; creating s.
 1037         265.0031, F.S.; establishing the Florida Veterans’
 1038         Walk of Honor and the Florida Veterans’ Memorial
 1039         Garden; directing the Department of Management
 1040         Services, in consultation with the direct-support
 1041         organization of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs,
 1042         to make space available for such purpose; amending s.
 1043         288.0001, F.S.; directing the Office of Economic and
 1044         Demographic Research and the Office of Program Policy
 1045         Analysis and Government Accountability to provide a
 1046         specified analysis of certain grant and entrepreneur
 1047         initiative programs; amending ss. 295.065, 295.07,
 1048         295.08, and 295.085, F.S.; revising and providing
 1049         governmental employment preference for certain
 1050         persons; creating s. 295.188, F.S.; authorizing
 1051         private employers to provide employment preference for
 1052         certain persons; creating s. 295.21, F.S.;
 1053         establishing Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., within the
 1054         Department of Veterans’ Affairs; providing for a board
 1055         of directors and the duties and requirements thereof;
 1056         creating s. 295.22, F.S.; creating the Veterans
 1057         Employment and Training Services Program within the
 1058         department; providing program requirements; directing
 1059         Enterprise Florida, Inc., to provide certain
 1060         information about Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., to
 1061         certain businesses; creating s. 295.23, F.S.;
 1062         directing the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing
 1063         Corporation to perform specified duties relating to
 1064         Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., and to expend specified
 1065         funds in the performance of such duties; requiring the
 1066         Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation to
 1067         provide certain funds to Florida Is For Veterans,
 1068         Inc.; providing appropriations; requiring Florida Is
 1069         For Veterans, Inc., and the Florida Tourism Industry
 1070         Marketing Corporation to submit certain plans and
 1071         performance measures to the Legislative Budget
 1072         Commission and receive the commission’s approval
 1073         before expending certain funds; directing Florida Is
 1074         For Veterans, Inc., to submit a report to the Governor
 1075         and the Legislature relating to gaps in veteran
 1076         resources; directing the Office of Program Policy
 1077         Analysis and Government Accountability to conduct a
 1078         performance audit of Florida Is For Veterans, Inc.;
 1079         amending ss. 296.06 and 296.36, F.S.; revising the
 1080         eligibility requirements for residency in the Florida
 1081         State Veterans’ Domiciliary Home and admittance to a
 1082         state veterans’ nursing home; amending s. 455.213,
 1083         F.S.; extending the application deadline for military
 1084         veterans to have certain fees waived by the Department
 1085         of Business and Professional Regulation and waiving
 1086         such fees for the spouses of veterans; amending ss.
 1087         456.013 and 468.304, F.S.; extending the application
 1088         deadline for military veterans to have certain fees
 1089         waived by the Department of Health and waiving such
 1090         fees for the spouses of veterans; amending s. 456.024,
 1091         F.S.; providing licensing procedures and waiving fees
 1092         for certain health care practitioners; amending s.
 1093         499.012, F.S.; providing that specified military
 1094         service meets certain permitting requirements;
 1095         amending s. 1002.33, F.S.; providing legislative
 1096         findings and intent with respect to establishing
 1097         charter schools on military installations; encouraging
 1098         military installation commanders to collaborate with
 1099         the Commissioner of Education; providing for operation
 1100         and control of such schools; amending s. 1009.26,
 1101         F.S.; directing state universities, Florida College
 1102         System institutions, and certain career centers to
 1103         waive certain fees for veterans; providing
 1104         applicability; providing appropriations; providing
 1105         effective dates.