Governor Bush Signs Legislation Supporting Florida's Military

GOVERNOR BUSH SIGNS LEGISLATION SUPPORTING FLORIDA'S MILITARY

~~ ~Bills focused on military families and veterans set national standard~ ~~

TALLAHASSEE- Governor Jeb Bush today continued his commitment to Florida's military personnel and veterans by signing six bills into law aimed at enhancing services for those who serve our country. The Governor was joined by Lt. Governor Toni Jennings, Senators Charlie Clary and Paula Dockery, Representatives Will Kendrick, Joe Negron and Stan Jordan, Major General Douglas Burnett, Adjutant General, Florida National Guard and Colonel Rocky McPherson, executive director of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"Florida's military men and women deserve our full support as they courageously defend our freedom both at home and abroad," said Governor Bush. "As these Floridians honorably serve our nation in the fight for democracy, the state's priority remains to support their efforts and ensure their families have the resources they need to meet challenges while their loved ones are away," said Governor Bush.

Governor Bush was also joined at today's event by Senator Charles Clary, Representative Will Kendrick, Lieutenant General John Bradley, U.S. Air Force Reserve, Major General Jack C. Stultz, Jr., US Army Reserve, Major General Robert Young, National Guard Bureau, Brigadier General David Papak, U.S. Marine Corps, Rear Admiral Wendy Carpenter, U.S. Navy Reserve, and members of the military as well as veterans representing the major military service organizations in Florida.

"Florida's ongoing support for our men and women in uniform and its veterans is deeply appreciated. Well before September 11th, Governor Bush and our Legislature undertook a broad range of actions and legislative initiatives designed to support our military members," said Major General Burnett. "Today's bills continue and broaden Florida's commitment to its service members and their families."

The Governor signed the following bills into law:

Ø HB 0691- An act relating to the Citizen Soldier Matching Grant Program - This measure, sponsored by Representative John Seiler of Pompano Beach, creates the $1.8 million Citizen Soldier Matching Grant Program. The grant will serve some 1,200 active duty soldiers, reservists and Florida National Guardsmen who have been activated, who have taken a leave of absence from their private sector jobs to serve their country. The measure will help bridge the gap between their private sector wages and their military pay. Private employers will be eligible to apply for these grants through the Agency for Workforce Innovation. Currently the state supplements pay for reservists and Florida National Guardsmen who have been activated and are employed by state or local governments.

Ø SB 0450 - An act relating to Unfair Insurance Practices- This legislation, sponsored by Senator Steven Geller of Hallandale Beach, provides military personnel and their families' protection from motor vehicle insurance premium increases or reinstatement fees for new policies. Military families are eligible for this protection if they transfer out of the state as part of their military service obligation and were required to cancel their policy due to the transfer. Active military personnel are to be considered maintaining continuous coverage for purposes of determining premium rates.

Ø SB 0550 - An act relating to Property Tax Exemptions- The primary effect of the bill is to extend the current $5,000 homestead property tax exemption for partially disabled veterans to their surviving spouses. This is similar to the full exemption currently available to the surviving spouses of totally and permanently disabled veterans.

Ø HB 0395 - An act relating to Recreational Licenses and Permits- The measure, sponsored by Representative Will Kendrick of Carrabelle, creates a new annual military gold sportsman's license for fishing and hunting. Any Florida resident who is either an active or retired member of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Armed Forces Reserve, the National Guard, the United States Coast Guard or the United States Coast Guard Reserve, with proper identification, is eligible to purchase this annual license. The license will cost $18.50 and includes hunting, freshwater and saltwater fishing permits.

Ø HB 0623 - An act relating to Former Military Vehicles- This measure, sponsored by Representative Kenneth Littlefield of Zephyrhills, provides changes related to former military vehicle requirements and exemptions. The bill exempts vehicles in this category from having to be equipped with windshields, if the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles finds it necessary for the vehicle to maintain its accurate military design and markings. The bill also exempts vehicles that are 30 years or older and are being used only in exhibitions, parades, or for public display, from having to display a license plate or registration insignia.

Ø SB 0868 - An act relating to the E.R. Pipping, Jr., Memorial Act - The measure, sponsored by Senator Paula Dockery of Lakeland, authorizes the Florida Department of Transportation to enter into contracts with non-profit organizations, in operation for at least two years, that wish to install monuments and memorials honoring Florida's military veterans at highway rest areas throughout the state. This includes monuments, memorials, plaques, markers or various retired military equipment.

"The active participation of the veteran service organizations in the legislative process is commendable and vital," Colonel McPherson said. "Their efforts to identify and prioritize issues for legislative action in a cooperative and positive manner aid the process and provide improved benefits for Florida's veterans and their spouses and families."

Additionally, Governor Bush intends to sign the following bills into law:

Ø HB 1069- An act relating to Family Readiness Program/ Military- This measure, sponsored by Representative Joe Negron of Stuart, and Senator Mike Haridopolos of Melbourne creates the Family Readiness Program under the Department of Military Affairs. The program provides $5 million in need-based assistance to families of service members of the Florida National Guard and United States Reserve Forces for emergency housing, living expenses and vehicle repairs. This includes Coast Guard Reservists, who are on active duty serving in the Global War on Terrorism and who are federally deployed or participating in state operations for homeland defense.

Ø HB 1189- An act relating to the children of deceased or disabled veterans- This measure, sponsored by Representative Stan Jordan of Jacksonville, expands the current program that provides college scholarships to children of military heroes who lost their lives as a result of battle and veterans who were left disabled to the dependents of soldiers who died or became disabled while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Additionally, the bill reduces the residency requirement for qualifying veterans from five years to one year.

For more information on legislation the Governor has acted on please visit www.myflorida.com .

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