Florida Senate - 2014 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Bill No. SB 860
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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.