Veterans (Veteran Benefits)

Veteran Benefit Payments to Minor Clients ; Requires DCF to receive, deposit, & conserve certain benefit payments for certain minor clients; provides requirements for such funds; prohibits DCF from using such funds for certain purposes.

Veteran Benefit Payments to Minor Clients; Authorizing the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Health, or the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to access certain benefit payments for specified purposes; prohibiting the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Health, or the Agency for Persons with Disabilities from supplanting certain financial assistance, etc.

Housing for Veterans; Establishes Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program in certain counties, subject to legislative appropriation; requires Florida Housing Finance Corporation, in consultation with other entities & persons, to oversee specified aspects of pilot program; provides responsibilities of corporation for pilot program; requires contracted program administrators to maintain certain functions of pilot program; authorizes certain landlords to apply to contracted program administrator to request funding from Vacancy Relief & Risk Mitigation Trust Fund; provides purpose of such trust fund; provides requirements to request funding from trust fund; requires certain case managers to assist contracted program administrator; requires contracted program administrator to maintain & provide certain documentation to corporation; requires entity responsible for certain functions to maintain any supporting documentation; authorizes corporation to rely on certifications, determinations, & documentation provided by specified entities; provides that funding for pilot program is awarded on first-come, first-served basis; authorizes corporation to suspend acceptance of applications; requires specified notice.

Sales Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans; Creates exemption from specified taxes for sales of certain new motor vehicles made to specified veterans; requires DOR to provide certificate of exemption for specified purpose; authorizes DOR to adopt emergency rules.

Medical Marijuana Use Registry Identification Cards for Veterans; Authorizes DOH to charge a reduced fee for issuance, replacement, or renewal of ID card for honorably discharged veteran; provides requirements for proof of identification.

Ad Valorem Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans; Removes limitation on value of tax exemption that surviving spouse could transfer to new residence; revises when specified tax exemption is considered to be granted.

SB 96 establishes a Veterans Dental Care Grant Program within Florida's Department of Veterans’ Affairs to provide oral health care to eligible veterans. It directly affects Florida veterans with household incomes at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. The bill appropriates $500,000 from the General Revenue Fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to fund this program, which will cover dental services for qualifying veterans. The program becomes effective July 1, 2026, and is administered by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

HB 253 clarifies eligibility for Florida's Veterans Dental Care Grant Program, which provides dental care to veterans residing in the state. The bill specifies that veterans must have incomes at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty level to qualify for the program. Administered by the Department of Veterans' Affairs, the program ensures access to oral health care for eligible veterans. This clarification takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Toll Discounts for Certified Veteran Business Enterprises; Requiring the Department of Transportation to establish a pilot program that provides certified veteran business enterprises with a discount on certain toll expenses; providing eligibility requirements for the pilot program; requiring the Florida Turnpike Enterprise, in coordination with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Department of Management Services, to administer the pilot program, etc.

HB 409 requires all Florida K-12 public school districts to observe Veterans' Day as an official school holiday, directly affecting school calendars and operations. The bill amends Florida Statutes to mandate that school boards designate Veterans' Day - listed in Section 110.117(1)(f) - as a holiday, replacing current discretionary observance. This policy change ensures consistent recognition of Veterans' Day across all public schools, with implementation required by July 1, 2026. The law does not alter the holiday's date or create new requirements beyond standard school holiday designation.