New Legislation Highlights Veteran-Related Initiatives
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis signed several veteran-friendly bills from the 2020 Florida Legislative Session into law. Here is a summary of those changes:
HB 171 – Postsecondary Education for Certain Military Personnel: The act requires the Board of Governors and State Board of Education to adopt a uniform set of rules to award academic credit for college degrees and technical training certification based on service members’ and veterans’ prior military training and experience. The newly enacted legislation helps veterans and members on active duty to achieve their degrees quicker and without having to take unnecessary course requirements.
HB 205 – Unlawful Use of Uniforms, Medals or Insignia – Effective Oct. 1, 2020, the act adds a provision to an existing law on stolen valor that misusing a military uniform or decorations for the purposes of obtaining employment or seeking election to a paid public office is now a violation of law.
HB 877 – Ad Valorem Tax Discount for Spouses of Certain Deceased Veterans Who Had Permanent, Combat-Related Disabilities. Proposes amending the State Constitution to authorize the surviving spouse of a deceased combat-related disabled veteran to carry over certain discounts on ad valorem taxes on homestead property until the surviving spouse remarries or sells or otherwise disposes of the property.
HB 879 – Surviving Spouse Ad Valorem Tax Reduction. The bill implements HB 877 by placing the legislation as a proposed Constitutional Amendment before Florida voters on the November 2020 ballot. If voted favorably, the amendment extends the homestead tax exemption of veterans 65 and older with combat-related disabilities who pass to the surviving spouse. At present, the exemption ends upon the death of the eligible veteran.
HB 1249 – Transfer of Tax Exemption for Veterans: The act adds a provision to an existing law requiring that veterans who were honorably discharged with a service-connected total and permanent disability or their surviving spouses who are entitled to receive ad valorem exemptions on property taxes for one property, may receive a pro-rated reimbursement of taxes paid on any property they buy between Jan. 1 and Nov. 1 of any year.
General Appropriations Act (HB 5001) – The $92.2 billion budget provides a three percent pay raise for state workers, effective Oct. 1, 2020.
Highlights within the appropriation for the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs:
- $9 million in non-recurring General Revenue to help complete the costs of the Lake Baldwin State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Orlando and the Ardie R. Copas State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Port St. Lucie. Both are scheduled to open in late 2020.
- An additional $1.8 million to finish the grant application to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for federal dollars to complete the Lake Baldwin State Veterans’ Nursing Home.
- 104 new positions to staff the Lake Baldwin State Veterans’ Nursing Home and Ardie R. Copas State Veterans’ Nursing Home.
- Five new positions for the FDVA Benefits and Assistance Division to aid our state’s veterans in connecting them with earned services, benefits and support.
To read more on veteran-related initiatives, please click here: https://floridavets.org/governors-budget-highlights-veteran-related-initiatives/
Join FDVA for the Military Consumer Month Telephone Town Hall, hosted by Commissioner of Agriculture & Consumer Services Nikki Fried. Help protect our veterans from scams.
WASHINGTON – The White House and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs launched July 7 the REACH national public health campaign aimed at empowering all Americans to play a critical role in preventing suicide. Click here to read more: https://floridavets.org/white-house-va-launch-reach-a-call-to-action-to-engage-the-nation-in-preventing-suicide/
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