Florida Senate - 2014                              CS for SB 860
       
       
        
       By the Committees on Appropriations; and Military and Veterans
       Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security; and Senator Benacquisto
       
       
       
       
       576-02229-14                                           2014860c1
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to military and veteran support;
    3         amending s. 250.10, F.S.; revising participation
    4         requirements and authorizing certain courses for the
    5         Educational Dollars for Duty program; directing the
    6         Adjutant General to adopt certain rules; providing
    7         appropriations; amending s. 250.35, F.S.; updating
    8         references with respect to courts-martial; creating s.
    9         265.0031, F.S.; establishing the Florida Veterans’
   10         Walk of Honor and the Florida Veterans’ Memorial
   11         Garden; directing the Department of Management
   12         Services, in consultation with the direct-support
   13         organization of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs,
   14         to make space available for such purpose; amending s.
   15         288.0001, F.S.; directing the Office of Economic and
   16         Demographic Research and the Office of Program Policy
   17         Analysis and Government Accountability to provide a
   18         specified analysis of certain grant and entrepreneur
   19         initiative programs; amending ss. 295.065, 295.07,
   20         295.08, and 295.085, F.S.; revising and providing
   21         governmental employment preference for certain
   22         persons; creating s. 295.188, F.S.; authorizing
   23         private employers to provide employment preference for
   24         certain persons; creating s. 295.21, F.S.;
   25         establishing Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., within the
   26         Department of Veterans’ Affairs; providing for a board
   27         of directors and the duties and requirements thereof;
   28         creating s. 295.22, F.S.; creating the Veterans
   29         Employment and Training Services Program within the
   30         department; providing program requirements; directing
   31         Enterprise Florida, Inc., to provide certain
   32         information about Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., to
   33         certain businesses; creating s. 295.23, F.S.;
   34         directing the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing
   35         Corporation to perform specified duties relating to
   36         Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., and to expend specified
   37         funds in the performance of such duties; requiring the
   38         Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation to
   39         provide certain funds to Florida Is For Veterans,
   40         Inc.; providing appropriations; requiring Florida Is
   41         For Veterans, Inc., and the Florida Tourism Industry
   42         Marketing Corporation to submit certain plans and
   43         performance measures to the Legislative Budget
   44         Commission and receive the commission’s approval
   45         before expending certain funds; directing Florida Is
   46         For Veterans, Inc., to submit a report to the Governor
   47         and the Legislature relating to gaps in veteran
   48         resources; directing the Office of Program Policy
   49         Analysis and Government Accountability to conduct a
   50         performance audit of Florida Is For Veterans, Inc.;
   51         amending ss. 296.06 and 296.36, F.S.; revising the
   52         eligibility requirements for residency in the Florida
   53         State Veterans’ Domiciliary Home and admittance to a
   54         state veterans’ nursing home; amending s. 322.031,
   55         F.S.; providing conditions under which the spouses and
   56         dependents of servicemembers are exempt from obtaining
   57         or displaying a driver license or learner’s permit;
   58         amending s. 322.121, F.S.; granting an automatic
   59         extension for the expiration of a driver license to
   60         the spouse and dependents of servicemembers; amending
   61         s. 455.213, F.S.; extending the application deadline
   62         for military veterans to have certain fees waived by
   63         the Department of Business and Professional Regulation
   64         and waiving such fees for the spouses of veterans;
   65         amending ss. 456.013 and 468.304, F.S.; extending the
   66         application deadline for military veterans to have
   67         certain fees waived by the Department of Health and
   68         waiving such fees for the spouses of veterans;
   69         amending s. 456.024, F.S.; providing licensing
   70         procedures and waiving fees for certain health care
   71         practitioners; amending ss. 458.315 and 459.0076,
   72         F.S.; revising provisions for issuance of temporary
   73         certificates for practice in areas of critical need to
   74         conform to changes made by the act; creating ss.
   75         458.3151 and 459.00761, F.S.; providing application
   76         requirements and procedures for active duty military
   77         and veteran physicians to obtain temporary
   78         certificates for practice in areas of critical need;
   79         amending s. 499.012, F.S.; providing that specified
   80         military service meets certain permitting
   81         requirements; amending s. 1002.33, F.S.; providing
   82         legislative findings and intent with respect to
   83         establishing charter schools on military
   84         installations; encouraging military installation
   85         commanders to collaborate with the Commissioner of
   86         Education; providing for operation and control of such
   87         schools; amending s. 1009.26, F.S.; directing state
   88         universities, Florida College System institutions, and
   89         certain career centers to waive certain fees for
   90         veterans; providing applicability; providing
   91         appropriations; providing effective dates.
   92          
   93  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   94  
   95         Section 1. Subsections (7) and (8) of section 250.10,
   96  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
   97         250.10 Appointment and duties of the Adjutant General.—
   98         (7) The Adjutant General shall develop an education
   99  assistance program for members in good standing of the Florida
  100  National Guard who enroll in an authorized course of study at a
  101  public or nonpublic postsecondary institution or technical
  102  center of higher learning in the state which has been accredited
  103  by an accrediting body recognized by the United States
  104  Department of Education or licensed by the Commission for
  105  Independent Education. Education assistance also may be used for
  106  training to obtain industry certifications approved by the
  107  Department of Education pursuant to s. 1008.44 and continuing
  108  education to maintain license certifications. The education
  109  assistance This program shall be known as the Educational
  110  Dollars for Duty program (EDD).
  111         (a) The program shall establish set forth application
  112  requirements, including, but not limited to, requirements that
  113  the applicant:
  114         1. Be 17 years of age or older.
  115         2. Be presently domiciled in the state.
  116         3. Be an active drilling member and in good standing in the
  117  Florida National Guard at the beginning of and throughout the
  118  entire academic term for which benefits are received.
  119         4. Maintain continuous satisfactory participation in the
  120  Florida National Guard for the any school term for which
  121  exemption benefits are received.
  122         5. Upon enrollment in the program, complete a memorandum of
  123  agreement to:
  124         a. Comply with the rules of the program. and
  125         b. Serve in the Florida National Guard for the period
  126  specified in the member’s enlistment or reenlistment contract.
  127         c. Authorize the release of information pursuant to
  128  subparagraph (d)6. by the postsecondary institution or technical
  129  center to the education service office of the Department of
  130  Military Affairs, subject to applicable federal and state law.
  131         (b) The program shall define those members of the Florida
  132  National Guard who are ineligible to participate in the program
  133  and those courses of study which are not authorized for the
  134  program.
  135         1. Ineligible members include, but are not limited to, a
  136  any member, commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted
  137  person who has obtained a master’s degree using the program.
  138         2. Inactive members of the Florida National Guard and
  139  members of the Individual Ready Reserve are not eligible to
  140  participate in the program.
  141         3.2. Courses not authorized include noncredit courses,
  142  courses that do not meet degree requirements, courses that do
  143  not meet requirements for completion of career training, or
  144  other courses as determined by program definitions.
  145         4. The program may not pay repeat course fees.
  146         (c) The program may include, but is not limited to:
  147         1. Courses at a public or nonpublic postsecondary
  148  institution or technical center in the state which is accredited
  149  by an accrediting body recognized by the United States
  150  Department of Education or licensed by the Commission for
  151  Independent Education.
  152         2. Training to obtain industry certifications, limited to
  153  certifications approved by the Department of Education under s.
  154  1008.44.
  155         3. Continuing education to maintain a license or
  156  certification. Notwithstanding subparagraph (b)1., members who
  157  have obtained a master’s degree using the program are eligible
  158  for funding under this subparagraph.
  159         4. Licensing and industry certification examination fees.
  160  Notwithstanding subparagraph (b)1., members who have obtained a
  161  master’s degree using the program are eligible for funding under
  162  this subparagraph.
  163         5. Notwithstanding subparagraph (b)3., developmental
  164  education courses.
  165         3. Developmental education courses are authorized for the
  166  program.
  167         (d)(c) The Adjutant General shall adopt rules for the
  168  overall policy, guidance, administration, implementation, and
  169  proper use of the program. Such rules must include, but need not
  170  be limited to:,
  171         1. Guidelines for certification by the Adjutant General of
  172  a guard member’s eligibility.,
  173         2. Procedures for notification to a postsecondary an
  174  institution or technical center of a guard member’s termination
  175  of eligibility., and
  176         3. Guidelines for approving courses of study that are
  177  authorized for the program, including online courses, industry
  178  certification training, and continuing education to maintain
  179  license certifications.
  180         4. Guidelines for approving the use of program funds for
  181  licensing and industry certification examination fees.
  182         5. Procedures for restitution when a guard member fails to
  183  comply with the penalties described in this section.
  184         6. Procedures that require a public or nonpublic
  185  postsecondary institution or technical center that receives
  186  funding from the program to provide information regarding course
  187  enrollment, course withdrawal, course cancellation, course
  188  completion, course failure, and grade verification of enrolled
  189  members to the education service office of the Department of
  190  Military Affairs.
  191         7. Guidelines for the payment of tuition and fees, not to
  192  exceed the highest in-state tuition rate charged by a public
  193  postsecondary institution in the state.
  194         (8) Subject to appropriations, the Department of Military
  195  Affairs may pay the full cost of tuition and fees for required
  196  courses for current members of the Florida National Guard.
  197  Members are eligible to use the program upon enlistment in the
  198  Florida National Guard. If a member is enrolled in a nonpublic
  199  postsecondary education institution or a nonpublic vocational
  200  technical program, the Department of Military Affairs shall pay
  201  an amount that may not exceed the rate of the highest in-state
  202  equal to the amount that would be required to pay for the
  203  average tuition and fees at a public postsecondary education
  204  institution or public vocational-technical program.
  205         (a) The Adjutant General shall give preference and priority
  206  to eligible members who have deployed on federal military orders
  207  while a member of the Florida National Guard.
  208         (b) The Department of Military Affairs may reimburse a
  209  member for student textbook and instructional material costs in
  210  accordance with limits set each fiscal year based on funding
  211  availability and regardless of the source of tuition funding,
  212  but only after tuition and fees for all eligible members are
  213  paid for that fiscal year.
  214         (a) A member may participate in the program if he or she
  215  maintains satisfactory participation in, and is an active
  216  drilling member of, the Florida National Guard. Inactive members
  217  of the Florida National Guard and members of the Individual
  218  Ready Reserve (IRR) are not eligible to participate in the
  219  program.
  220         (c)(b) Penalties for noncompliance with program
  221  requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:
  222         1. If a member of the Florida National Guard receives
  223  payment of tuition and fees for an any academic term and fails
  224  to maintain satisfactory participation in the Florida National
  225  Guard during that academic term, the member shall reimburse the
  226  Department of Military Affairs all tuition charges and student
  227  fees for the academic term for which the member received
  228  payment.
  229         2. If a member of the Florida National Guard leaves the
  230  Florida National Guard during the period specified in the
  231  member’s enlistment or reenlistment contract, the member shall
  232  reimburse the Department of Military Affairs all tuition charges
  233  and student fees for which the member received payments,
  234  regardless of whether the obligation to reimburse the department
  235  was incurred before, on, or after July 1, 2009, unless the
  236  Adjutant General finds that there are justifiable extenuating
  237  circumstances.
  238         3. If the service of a member of the Florida National Guard
  239  is terminated or the member is placed on scholastic probation
  240  while receiving payments, the member shall reimburse the
  241  Department of Military Affairs all tuition charges and student
  242  fees for the academic term for which the member received
  243  payment.
  244         4. If a member defaults on any reimbursement made under
  245  this paragraph, the department may charge the member the maximum
  246  interest rate authorized by law.
  247         Section 2. Beginning in the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the sum
  248  of $1.53 million in recurring funds is appropriated from the
  249  General Revenue Fund to the Department of Military Affairs to
  250  supplement the Educational Dollars for Duty program to ensure
  251  that Florida National Guard members are rewarded for their
  252  service to the country with the ability to pursue higher
  253  learning in the state pursuant to s. 250.10(7) and (8), Florida
  254  Statutes.
  255         Section 3. For the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the sum of
  256  $250,000 in nonrecurring funds is appropriated from the General
  257  Revenue Fund to the Department of Military Affairs for the
  258  purpose of information technology upgrades to accommodate
  259  administering and auditing the Educational Dollars for Duty
  260  program.
  261         Section 4. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 250.35,
  262  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  263         250.35 Courts-martial.—
  264         (1) The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), 10 U.S.C.
  265  ss. 801 et seq., and the Manual for Courts-Martial (2012 2008
  266  Edition) are adopted for use by the Florida National Guard,
  267  except as otherwise provided by this chapter.
  268         (2) Courts-martial may try a any member of the Florida
  269  National Guard for any crime or offense made punishable by the
  270  Uniform Code of Military Justice (2012 2008 Edition), except
  271  that a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or cadet may not
  272  be tried by summary courts-martial.
  273         Section 5. Effective upon this act becoming a law, section
  274  265.0031, Florida Statutes, is created to read:
  275         265.0031 Florida Veterans’ Walk of Honor and Florida
  276  Veterans’ Memorial Garden.—
  277         (1) To recognize and honor those military veterans who have
  278  made significant contributions to the state through their
  279  service to the United States, the Florida Veterans’ Walk of
  280  Honor and the Florida Veterans’ Memorial Garden are established.
  281         (2) The Florida Veterans’ Walk of Honor and the Florida
  282  Veterans’ Memorial Garden shall be administered by the direct
  283  support organization of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
  284  without funding from the state. However, donations made to the
  285  Florida Veterans’ Walk of Honor and the Florida Veterans’
  286  Memorial Garden shall be credited to the direct-support
  287  organization of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and used
  288  solely to support and maintain the Florida Veterans’ Walk of
  289  Honor, the Florida Veterans’ Memorial Garden, and other efforts
  290  of the direct-support organization.
  291         (3) The Department of Management Services, in consultation
  292  with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the direct-support
  293  organization of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, shall make
  294  space available on the Capitol Complex grounds for the
  295  construction of the Florida Veterans’ Walk of Honor and the
  296  Florida Veterans’ Memorial Garden.
  297         Section 6. Paragraph (d) is added to subsection (2) of
  298  section 288.0001, Florida Statutes, to read:
  299         288.0001 Economic Development Programs Evaluation.—The
  300  Office of Economic and Demographic Research and the Office of
  301  Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA)
  302  shall develop and present to the Governor, the President of the
  303  Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the
  304  chairs of the legislative appropriations committees the Economic
  305  Development Programs Evaluation.
  306         (2) The Office of Economic and Demographic Research and
  307  OPPAGA shall provide a detailed analysis of economic development
  308  programs as provided in the following schedule:
  309         (d) By January 1, 2019, and every 3 years thereafter, an
  310  analysis of the grant and entrepreneur initiative programs
  311  established under s. 295.22(3)(d) and (e).
  312         Section 7. Section 295.065, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  313  read:
  314         295.065 Legislative intent.—It is the intent of the
  315  Legislature to provide preference and priority in the hiring
  316  practices of this state as set forth in this chapter. In All
  317  written job announcements and audio and video advertisements
  318  used by employing agencies of the state and its political
  319  subdivisions must include a notice stating, there shall be a
  320  notation that certain servicemembers and veterans, and the
  321  spouses and family members of the servicemembers and veterans,
  322  receive preference and priority in employment by the state and
  323  are encouraged to apply for the positions being filled.
  324         Section 8. Subsections (1) and (3) of section 295.07,
  325  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  326         295.07 Preference in appointment and retention.—
  327         (1) The state and its political subdivisions in the state
  328  shall give preference in appointment and retention in positions
  329  of employment to:
  330         (a) Those disabled veterans:
  331         1. Who have served on active duty in any branch of the
  332  United States Armed Forces of the United States, have received
  333  an honorable discharge been separated therefrom under honorable
  334  conditions, and have established the present existence of a
  335  service-connected disability that which is compensable under
  336  public laws administered by the United States U.S. Department of
  337  Veterans Veterans’ Affairs;, or
  338         2. Who are receiving compensation, disability retirement
  339  benefits, or pension by reason of public laws administered by
  340  the United States U.S. Department of Veterans Veterans’ Affairs
  341  and the United States Department of Defense.
  342         (b) The spouse of a any person who has a total disability,
  343  permanent in nature, resulting from a service-connected
  344  disability and who, because of this disability, cannot qualify
  345  for employment, and the spouse of a any person missing in
  346  action, captured in line of duty by a hostile force, or forcibly
  347  detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or
  348  power.
  349         (c) A wartime veteran of any war as defined in s. 1.01(14),
  350  who has. The veteran must have served at least 1 day during a
  351  wartime period to be eligible for veterans’ preference. Active
  352  duty for training may shall not be allowed for eligibility under
  353  this paragraph.
  354         (d) The unremarried widow or widower of a veteran who died
  355  of a service-connected disability.
  356         (e) The mother, father, legal guardian, or unremarried
  357  widow or widower of a member of the United States Armed Forces
  358  who died in the line of duty under combat-related conditions, as
  359  verified by the United States Department of Defense.
  360         (f) A veteran as defined in s. 1.01(14). Active duty for
  361  training may not be allowed for eligibility under this
  362  paragraph.
  363         (g) A current member of any reserve component of the United
  364  States Armed Forces or the Florida National Guard.
  365         (3) Preference in employment and retention may be given
  366  only to eligible persons who are described in subsection (1) and
  367  who are residents of this state.
  368         Section 9. Section 295.08, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  369  read:
  370         295.08 Positions for which a numerically based selection
  371  process is used.—For positions for which an examination is used
  372  to determine the qualifications for entrance into employment
  373  with the state or political subdivisions in the state, 15 points
  374  shall be added to the earned ratings of a person included under
  375  s. 295.07(1)(a) or (b), 10 points shall be added to the earned
  376  ratings of a any person included under s. 295.07(1)(c), (d), or
  377  (e) 295.07(1)(a) or (b), and 5 points shall be added to the
  378  earned rating of a any person included under s. 295.07(1)(f) or
  379  (g) 295.07(1)(c) and (d), if the person has obtained a
  380  qualifying score on the examination for the position. The names
  381  of persons eligible for preference shall be entered on an
  382  appropriate register or list in accordance with their respective
  383  augmented ratings. However, except for classes of positions with
  384  Federal Government designations of professional or technician,
  385  the names of all persons qualified to receive a 15-point 10
  386  point preference whose service-connected disabilities have been
  387  rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its
  388  predecessor or the United States Department of Defense to be 30
  389  percent or more shall be placed at the top of the appropriate
  390  register or employment list, in accordance with their respective
  391  augmented ratings. The respective augmented rating is the
  392  examination score or evaluated score in addition to the
  393  applicable veteran’s preference points.
  394         Section 10. Section 295.085, Florida Statutes, is amended
  395  to read:
  396         295.085 Positions for which a numerically based selection
  397  process is not used.—In all positions in which the appointment
  398  or employment of persons is not subject to a written
  399  examination, with the exception of positions that are exempt
  400  under s. 295.07(4), first preference in appointment, employment,
  401  and retention shall be given by the state and political
  402  subdivisions in the state to a person persons included under s.
  403  295.07(1)(a) or (b) 295.07(1)(a) and (b), and second preference
  404  shall be given to a person persons included under s.
  405  295.07(1)(c), (d), (e), (f), or (g) 295.07(1)(c) and (d) who
  406  possesses possess the minimum qualifications necessary to
  407  discharge the duties of the position involved.
  408         Section 11. Section 295.188, Florida Statutes, is created
  409  to read:
  410         295.188 Preference in hiring veterans for private
  411  employers.—
  412         (1) The Legislature intends to establish a permissive
  413  preference in private employment for certain veterans.
  414         (2) A private employer may adopt an employment policy that
  415  gives preference in hiring to an honorably discharged veteran,
  416  as defined in s. 1.01(14); the spouse of a veteran with a
  417  service-connected disability, as described in s. 295.07(1)(b);
  418  the unremarried widow or widower of a veteran who died of a
  419  service-connected disability, as described in s. 295.07(1)(d);
  420  or the unremarried widow or widower of a member of the United
  421  States Armed Forces who died in the line of duty under combat
  422  related conditions. Such policy shall be applied uniformly to
  423  employment decisions regarding hiring and promotion.
  424         (3) These preferences are not considered violations of any
  425  state or local equal employment opportunity law.
  426         Section 12. Section 295.21, Florida Statutes, is created to
  427  read:
  428         295.21 Florida Is For Veterans, Inc.—
  429         (1) CREATION.—There is created within the Department of
  430  Veterans’ Affairs a nonprofit corporation, to be known as
  431  “Florida Is For Veterans, Inc.,” which shall be registered,
  432  incorporated, organized, and operated in compliance with chapter
  433  617, and which is not a unit or entity of state government. As
  434  used in this section and s. 295.22, unless the context indicates
  435  otherwise, the term “corporation” means Florida Is For Veterans,
  436  Inc. The corporation shall be a separate budget entity and is
  437  not subject to the control, supervision, or direction of the
  438  department in any manner, including, but not limited to,
  439  personnel, purchasing, transactions involving real or personal
  440  property, or budgetary matters.
  441         (2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the corporation is to promote
  442  Florida as a veteran-friendly state that seeks to provide
  443  veterans with employment opportunities and that promotes the
  444  hiring of veterans by the business community. The corporation
  445  shall encourage retired and recently separated military
  446  personnel to remain in the state or to make the state their
  447  permanent residence. The corporation shall promote the value of
  448  military skill sets to businesses in the state, assist in
  449  tailoring the training of veterans to match the needs of the
  450  employment marketplace, and enhance the entrepreneurial skills
  451  of veterans.
  452         (3) DUTIES.—The corporation shall:
  453         (a) Conduct research to identify the target market and the
  454  educational and employment needs of those in the target market.
  455  The corporation shall contract with at least one entity pursuant
  456  to the competitive bidding requirements in s. 287.057 and the
  457  provisions of s. 295.187 to perform the research. Such entity
  458  must have experience conducting market research on the veteran
  459  demographic. The corporation shall seek input from the Florida
  460  Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation on the scope, process,
  461  and focus of such research.
  462         (b) Advise the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing
  463  Corporation, pursuant to s. 295.23, on:
  464         1. The target market as identified in paragraph (a).
  465         2. Development and implementation of a marketing campaign
  466  to encourage members of the target market to remain in the state
  467  or to make the state their permanent residence.
  468         3. Methods for disseminating information to the target
  469  market that relates to the interests and needs of veterans of
  470  all ages and facilitates veterans’ knowledge of and access to
  471  benefits.
  472         (c) Promote and enhance the value of military skill sets to
  473  businesses.
  474         (d) Implement the Veterans Employment and Training Services
  475  Program established by s. 295.22.
  476         (e) Responsibly and prudently manage all funds received and
  477  ensure that the use of such funds conforms to all applicable
  478  laws, bylaws, or contractual requirements.
  479         (f) Administer the programs created in this section and s.
  480  295.22.
  481         (4) GOVERNANCE.—
  482         (a) The corporation shall be governed by a nine-member
  483  board of directors. The Governor, the President of the Senate,
  484  and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each
  485  appoint three members to the board. In making appointments, the
  486  Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
  487  House of Representatives must consider representation by active
  488  or retired military personnel and their spouses representing a
  489  range of ages and persons with expertise in business, education,
  490  marketing, and information management.
  491         (b) The board of directors shall annually elect a chair
  492  from among the board’s members.
  493         (c) Each member of the board of directors shall be
  494  appointed for a term of 4 years, except that, to achieve
  495  staggered terms, the initial appointees of the Governor shall
  496  serve terms of 2 years. A member is ineligible for reappointment
  497  to the board except that a member appointed to a term of 2 years
  498  or less may be reappointed for an additional term of 4 years.
  499  The initial appointments to the board must be made by July 15,
  500  2014. Vacancies on the board shall be filled in the same manner
  501  as the original appointment. A vacancy that occurs before the
  502  scheduled expiration of the term of the member shall be filled
  503  for the remainder of the unexpired term.
  504         (d) The Legislature finds that it is in the public interest
  505  for the members of the board of directors to be subject to the
  506  requirements of ss. 112.313, 112.3135, and 112.3143.
  507  Notwithstanding the fact that they are not public officers or
  508  employees, for purposes of ss. 112.313, 112.3135, and 112.3143,
  509  the board members shall be considered to be public officers or
  510  employees. In addition to the postemployment restrictions of s.
  511  112.313(9), a person appointed to the board of directors may not
  512  have direct interest in a contract, franchise, privilege,
  513  project, program, or other benefit arising from an award by the
  514  corporation during the appointment term and for 2 years after
  515  the termination of such appointment. A person who accepts
  516  appointment to the board of directors in violation of this
  517  subsection, or accepts a direct interest in a contract,
  518  franchise, privilege, project, program, or other benefit granted
  519  by the corporation to an awardee within 2 years after the
  520  termination of his or her service on the board, commits a
  521  misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.
  522  775.082 or s. 775.083. Further, each member of the board of
  523  directors who is not otherwise required to file financial
  524  disclosure under s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution or s.
  525  112.3144 shall file a statement of financial interests under s.
  526  112.3145.
  527         (e) Each member of the board of directors shall serve
  528  without compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for travel
  529  and per diem expenses as provided in s. 112.061 while performing
  530  his or her duties.
  531         (f) Each member of the board of directors is accountable
  532  for the proper performance of the duties of office and owes a
  533  fiduciary duty to the people of this state to ensure that awards
  534  provided are disbursed and used as prescribed by law and
  535  contract. An appointed member of the board of directors may be
  536  removed by the officer who appointed the member for malfeasance,
  537  misfeasance, neglect of duty, incompetence, permanent inability
  538  to perform official duties, unexcused absence from three
  539  consecutive board meetings, arrest or indictment for a crime
  540  that is a felony or a misdemeanor involving theft or a crime of
  541  dishonesty, or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to or being
  542  found guilty of any crime.
  543         (g) A majority of the members of the board of directors
  544  constitutes a quorum. Council meetings may be held via
  545  teleconference or other electronic means.
  546         (5) POWERS.—In addition to the powers and duties prescribed
  547  in chapter 617 and the articles and bylaws adopted thereunder,
  548  the board of directors may:
  549         (a) Make and enter into contracts and other instruments
  550  necessary or convenient for the exercise of its powers and
  551  functions. However, notwithstanding s. 617.0302, the corporation
  552  may not issue bonds.
  553         (b) Make expenditures, including any necessary
  554  administrative expenditure.
  555         (c) Adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws, consistent with the
  556  powers granted to it under this section or the articles of
  557  incorporation, for the administration of the activities of the
  558  corporation, and the exercise of its corporate powers.
  559         (d) Accept funding for its programs and activities from
  560  federal, state, local, and private sources.
  561         (e) Adopt and register a fictitious name for use in its
  562  marketing activities.
  563  
  564  The credit of the State of Florida may not be pledged on behalf
  565  of the corporation.
  566         (6) PUBLIC RECORDS AND MEETINGS.—The corporation is subject
  567  to the provisions of chapters 119 and 286 relating to public
  568  records and meetings, respectively.
  569         (7) STAFFING AND ASSISTANCE.—
  570         (a) The corporation is authorized to hire or contract for
  571  all staff necessary for the proper execution of its powers and
  572  duties. All employees of the corporation shall comply with the
  573  Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees under part III
  574  of chapter 112. Corporation staff must agree to refrain from
  575  having any direct interest in any contract, franchise,
  576  privilege, project, program, or other benefit arising from an
  577  award by the corporation during the term of their appointment
  578  and for 2 years after the termination of such appointment.
  579         (b) All agencies of the state are authorized and directed
  580  to provide such technical assistance as the corporation may
  581  require to identify programs within each agency which provide
  582  assistance or benefits to veterans who are located in this state
  583  or who are considering relocation to this state.
  584         (c) The Department of Veterans’ Affairs may authorize the
  585  corporation’s use of the department’s property, facilities, and
  586  personnel services, subject to this section. The department may
  587  prescribe by contract any condition with which the corporation
  588  must comply in order to use the department’s property,
  589  facilities, or personnel services.
  590         (d) The department may not authorize the use of its
  591  property, facilities, or personnel services if the corporation
  592  does not provide equal employment opportunities to all persons
  593  regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, or national
  594  origin.
  595         (8) ANNUAL REPORT.—The corporation shall submit an annual
  596  progress report and work plan by December 1 to the Governor, the
  597  President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
  598  Representatives. The report must include:
  599         (a) Status and summary of findings regarding the target
  600  market, veteran benefits, and any identified gaps in services.
  601         (b) Status of the marketing campaign, delivery systems of
  602  the marketing campaign, and outreach to the target market.
  603         (c) Status of the Veterans Employment and Training Services
  604  Program administered under s. 295.22.
  605         (d) Proposed revisions or additions to performance
  606  measurements for the programs administered by the corporation.
  607         (e) Identification of contracts that the corporation has
  608  entered into to carry out its duties.
  609         (f) An annual compliance and financial audit of accounts
  610  and records for the previous fiscal year prepared by an
  611  independent certified public accountant pursuant to rules
  612  adopted by the Auditor General.
  613         (9) DISSOLUTION.—All moneys and property held by the
  614  corporation shall revert to the state if the corporation ceases
  615  to exist.
  616         Section 13. Section 295.22, Florida Statutes, is created to
  617  read:
  618         295.22 Veterans Employment and Training Services Program.—
  619         (1) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.—The Legislature finds
  620  that the state has a compelling interest in ensuring that each
  621  veteran who is a resident of the state finds employment that
  622  meets his or her professional goals and receives the training or
  623  education necessary to meet those goals. The Legislature also
  624  finds that connecting dedicated, well-trained veterans with
  625  businesses that need a dedicated, well-trained workforce is of
  626  paramount importance. The Legislature recognizes that veterans
  627  may not currently have the skills to meet the workforce needs of
  628  Florida employers and may require assistance in obtaining
  629  additional workforce training or in transitioning their skills
  630  to meet the demands of the marketplace. It is the intent of the
  631  Legislature that the Veterans Employment and Training Services
  632  Program coordinate and meet the needs of veterans and the
  633  business community to enhance the economy of this state.
  634         (2) CREATION.—The Veterans Employment and Training Services
  635  Program is created within the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to
  636  assist in linking veterans in search of employment with
  637  businesses seeking to hire dedicated, well-trained workers. The
  638  purpose of the program is to meet the workforce demands of
  639  businesses in the state by facilitating access to training and
  640  education in high-demand fields for veterans.
  641         (3) ADMINISTRATION.—Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., shall
  642  administer the Veterans Employment and Training Services Program
  643  and perform all of the following functions:
  644         (a) Conduct marketing and recruiting efforts directed at
  645  veterans who reside in or who have an interest in relocating to
  646  this state and who are seeking employment. Marketing must
  647  include information related to how a veteran’s military
  648  experience can be valuable to a business. Such efforts may
  649  include attending veteran job fairs and events, hosting events
  650  for veterans or the business community, and using digital and
  651  social media and direct mail campaigns. The corporation shall
  652  also include such marketing as part of its main marketing
  653  campaign.
  654         (b) Assist veterans who reside in or relocate to this state
  655  and who are seeking employment. The corporation shall offer
  656  skills assessments to veterans and assist them in establishing
  657  employment goals and applying for and achieving gainful
  658  employment.
  659         1. Assessment may include skill match information, skill
  660  gap analysis, resume creation, translation of military skills
  661  into civilian workforce skills, and translation of military
  662  achievements and experience into generally understood civilian
  663  workforce skills.
  664         2. Assistance may include providing the veteran with
  665  information on current workforce demand by industry or
  666  geographic region, creating employment goals, and aiding or
  667  teaching general knowledge related to completing applications.
  668  The corporation may provide information related to industry
  669  certifications approved by the Department of Education under s.
  670  1008.44 as well as information related to earning academic
  671  college credit at public postsecondary educational institutions
  672  for college-level training and education acquired in the
  673  military under s. 1004.096.
  674         3. The corporation shall encourage veterans to register
  675  with the state’s job bank system and may refer veterans to local
  676  one-stop career centers for further services. The corporation
  677  shall provide each veteran with information about state
  678  workforce programs and shall consolidate information about all
  679  available resources on one website that, if possible, includes a
  680  hyperlink to each resource’s website and contact information, if
  681  available. If appropriate, a veteran shall be encouraged to
  682  participate in the Complete Florida Degree Program established
  683  under s. 1006.735.
  684         4. Assessment and assistance may be in person or by
  685  electronic means, as determined by the corporation to be most
  686  efficient and best meet the needs of veterans.
  687         (c) Assist Florida businesses in recruiting and hiring
  688  veterans. The corporation shall provide services to Florida
  689  businesses to meet their hiring needs by connecting businesses
  690  with suitable veteran applicants for employment. Suitable
  691  applicants include veterans who have appropriate job skills or
  692  may need additional training to meet the specific needs of a
  693  business. The corporation shall also provide information about
  694  the state and federal benefits of hiring veterans.
  695         (d) Create a grant program to provide funding to assist
  696  veterans in meeting the workforce-skill needs of businesses
  697  seeking to hire veterans, establish criteria for approval of
  698  requests for funding, and maximize the use of funding for this
  699  program. Grant funds may be used only in the absence of
  700  available veteran-specific federally funded programs. Grants may
  701  fund specialized training specific to a particular business.
  702         1. Grant funds may be allocated to any training provider
  703  selected by the business, including a career center, a Florida
  704  College System institution, a state university, or an in-house
  705  training provider of the business. If grant funds are used to
  706  provide a technical certificate, a licensure, or a degree, funds
  707  may be allocated only upon a review that includes, but is not
  708  limited to, accreditation and licensure documentation.
  709  Instruction funded through the program must terminate when
  710  participants demonstrate competence at the level specified in
  711  the request; however, the grant term may not exceed 48 months.
  712  Preference shall be given to target industry businesses, as
  713  defined in s. 288.106, and to businesses in the defense supply,
  714  cloud virtualization, or commercial aviation manufacturing
  715  industries.
  716         2. Costs and expenditures for the grant program must be
  717  documented and separated from those incurred by the training
  718  provider. Costs and expenditures shall be limited to $8,000 per
  719  veteran trainee. Eligible costs and expenditures include:
  720         a. Tuition and fees.
  721         b. Curriculum development.
  722         c. Books and classroom materials.
  723         d. Rental fees for facilities at public colleges and
  724  universities, including virtual training labs.
  725         e. Overhead or indirect costs not to exceed 5 percent of
  726  the grant amount.
  727         3. Before funds are allocated for a request pursuant to
  728  this section, the corporation shall prepare a grant agreement
  729  between the business requesting funds, the educational
  730  institution or training provider receiving funding through the
  731  program, and the corporation. Such agreement must include, but
  732  need not be limited to:
  733         a. Identification of the personnel necessary to conduct the
  734  instructional program, the qualifications of such personnel, and
  735  the respective responsibilities of the parties for paying costs
  736  associated with the employment of such personnel.
  737         b. Identification of the match provided by the business,
  738  including cash and in-kind contributions, equal to at least 50
  739  percent of the total grant amount.
  740         c. Identification of the estimated duration of the
  741  instructional program.
  742         d. Identification of all direct, training-related costs.
  743         e. Identification of special program requirements that are
  744  not otherwise addressed in the agreement.
  745         f. Permission to access aggregate information specific to
  746  the wages and performance of participants upon the completion of
  747  instruction for evaluation purposes. The agreement must specify
  748  that any evaluation published subsequent to the instruction may
  749  not identify the employer or any individual participant.
  750         4. A business may receive a grant under the Quick-Response
  751  Training Program created under s. 288.047 and a grant under this
  752  section for the same veteran trainee. If a business receives
  753  funds under both programs, one grant agreement may be entered
  754  into with Workforce Florida, Inc., as the grant administrator.
  755         (e) Contract with one or more entities to administer an
  756  entrepreneur initiative program for veterans in this state which
  757  connects business leaders in the state with veterans seeking to
  758  become entrepreneurs.
  759         1. The corporation shall award each contract in accordance
  760  with the competitive bidding requirements in s. 287.057 to one
  761  or more public or private universities that:
  762         a. Demonstrate the ability to implement the program and the
  763  commitment of university resources, including financial
  764  resources, to such programs.
  765         b. Have a military and veteran resource center.
  766         c. Have a regional small business development center in the
  767  Florida Small Business Development Center Network.
  768         d. As determined by the corporation, have been nationally
  769  recognized for commitment to the military and veterans.
  770         2. Each contract must include performance metrics,
  771  including a focus on employment and business creation. Each
  772  university must coordinate with any entrepreneurship center
  773  located at the university. The university may also work with an
  774  entity offering related programs to refer veterans or to provide
  775  services. The entrepreneur initiative program may include
  776  activities and assistance such as peer-to-peer learning
  777  sessions, mentoring, technical assistance, business roundtables,
  778  networking opportunities, support of student organizations,
  779  speaker series, or other tools within a virtual environment.
  780         (4) DUTIES OF ENTERPRISE FLORIDA, INC.—Enterprise Florida,
  781  Inc., shall provide information about the corporation and its
  782  services to prospective, new, expanding, and relocating
  783  businesses seeking to conduct business in this state. Enterprise
  784  Florida, Inc., shall, to the greatest extent possible,
  785  collaborate with the corporation to meet the employment needs,
  786  including meeting the job creation requirements, of any business
  787  receiving assistance or services from Enterprise Florida, Inc.
  788         Section 14. Section 295.23, Florida Statutes, is created to
  789  read:
  790         295.23 Veterans research and marketing campaign.—
  791         (1) The Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation
  792  shall:
  793         (a) Provide input to Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., on
  794  research to identify the target market and the educational and
  795  employment needs of those in the target market.
  796         (b) Develop and conduct a marketing campaign to encourage
  797  retired and recently separated military personnel to remain in
  798  the state or to make the state their permanent residence.
  799         (c) Develop a process for the dissemination of information
  800  to the target market and targeting that information to the
  801  interests and needs of veterans of all ages to facilitate
  802  veterans’ knowledge of and access to benefits.
  803         (2) The Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation
  804  shall seek advice from Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., on the
  805  scope, process, and focus of the marketing campaign. Input must
  806  be received before invitations to bid, requests for proposals,
  807  or invitations to negotiate for contracted services are
  808  advertised. Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., shall be kept
  809  informed at each stage of the marketing campaign and may provide
  810  recommendations to the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing
  811  Corporation to ensure that the effort effectively reaches
  812  veterans.
  813         (3) For the purposes of this section, the Florida Tourism
  814  Industry Marketing Corporation shall expend $1 million annually
  815  on marketing the state to veterans as a permanent home and on
  816  information dissemination to improve veterans’ knowledge of and
  817  access to benefits through a combination of existing funds
  818  appropriated to the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing
  819  Corporation by the Legislature and private funds.
  820         Section 15. For fiscal year 2014-2015, the Florida Tourism
  821  Industry Marketing Corporation shall provide Florida Is For
  822  Veterans, Inc., $300,000 to conduct market research pursuant to
  823  s. 295.21(3)(a), Florida Statutes.
  824         Section 16. For the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the sum of
  825  $56,768 in recurring funds and $4,258 in nonrecurring funds are
  826  appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of
  827  Veterans’ Affairs, and one full-time equivalent position with
  828  associated salary rate of 36,350, is authorized to assist
  829  Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., in performing state financial
  830  activities. The funds appropriated in this section shall be
  831  released pursuant to s. 216.192, Florida Statutes.
  832         Section 17. For the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the sum of
  833  $344,106 in recurring funds and $14,391 in nonrecurring funds
  834  from the General Revenue Fund is appropriated to the Department
  835  of Veterans’ Affairs for the purpose of funding the costs for
  836  startup, staffing, and general operations of the Florida Is For
  837  Veterans, Inc. The funds appropriated in this section shall be
  838  released pursuant to s. 216.192, Florida Statutes.
  839         Section 18. By August 15, 2014, Florida Is For Veterans,
  840  Inc., shall submit a plan to the Legislative Budget Commission,
  841  through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, pursuant to s.
  842  216.177, Florida Statutes. The plan shall:
  843         (1) Provide a strategy and framework for the general
  844  operations of Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., including the
  845  fulfillment of its purpose, duties, and goals as provided in ss.
  846  295.21 and 295.22, Florida Statutes;
  847         (2) Include specific performance measures by which Florida
  848  Is For Veterans, Inc., and its functions shall be evaluated; and
  849         (3) Include details of the existing expenditures and
  850  obligations of Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., as well as a
  851  budget and timelines for expected expenditures related both to
  852  general operations and to products, services, and grants to be
  853  provided under programs administered by Florida Is For Veterans,
  854  Inc.
  855  
  856  Copies of the plan shall also be submitted to the President of
  857  the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The
  858  Legislative Budget Commission must approve the plan, including
  859  the performance measures, before Florida Is For Veterans, Inc.,
  860  may expend funds for the duties required under s. 295.22,
  861  Florida Statutes.
  862         Section 19. By August 15, 2014, the Florida Tourism
  863  Industry Marketing Corporation and Florida Is For Veterans,
  864  Inc., shall jointly develop and submit to the Legislative Budget
  865  Commission, through the Department of Economic Opportunity,
  866  pursuant to s. 216.177, Florida Statutes, specific performance
  867  measures by which the research and marketing campaign
  868  established under s. 295.23, Florida Statutes, shall be
  869  evaluated. Copies of the performance measures shall also be
  870  submitted to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the
  871  House of Representatives. The Legislative Budget Commission must
  872  approve the performance measures before the Florida Tourism
  873  Industry Marketing Corporation or Florida Is For Veterans, Inc.,
  874  may expend funds for the duties required under s. 295.23,
  875  Florida Statutes.
  876         Section 20. By February 2, 2016, Florida Is For Veterans,
  877  Inc., shall submit a report to the Governor, the President of
  878  the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives
  879  identifying existing gaps in veteran resources and recommending
  880  best practices that may be used to assist veterans and
  881  improvements to current or new resources and programs.
  882         Section 21. By February 1, 2018, the Office of Program
  883  Policy Analysis and Government Accountability shall conduct a
  884  performance audit of Florida Is For Veterans, Inc. The audit
  885  shall assess the implementation and outcomes of activities under
  886  ss. 295.21 and 295.22, Florida Statutes, and evaluate the
  887  corporation’s accomplishments and progress toward making Florida
  888  a veteran-friendly state. The audit must provide recommendations
  889  for any necessary improvements. The report of the audit’s
  890  findings shall be submitted to the President of the Senate and
  891  the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
  892         Section 22. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
  893  296.06, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  894         296.06 State policy; eligibility requirements.—
  895         (2) To be eligible for residency in the home, a veteran
  896  must:
  897         (b) Have been a resident of the state for 1 year
  898  immediately preceding application and Be a resident of the state
  899  at the time of application.
  900         Section 23. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
  901  296.36, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  902         296.36 Eligibility and priority of admittance.—
  903         (1) To be eligible for admittance to the home, the person
  904  must be a veteran as provided in s. 1.01(14) or have eligible
  905  peacetime service as defined in s. 296.02 and must:
  906         (b) Be Have been a resident of the state for 1 year
  907  immediately preceding, and at the time of application for,
  908  admission to the home.
  909         Section 24. Section 322.031, Florida Statutes, is amended
  910  to read:
  911         322.031 Nonresident; when license required.—
  912         (1) In each every case in which a nonresident, except a
  913  nonresident migrant or seasonal farm worker as defined in s.
  914  316.003(61), accepts employment or engages in a any trade,
  915  profession, or occupation in this state or enters his or her
  916  children to be educated in the public schools of this state,
  917  such nonresident shall, within 30 days after beginning the
  918  commencement of such employment or education, be required to
  919  obtain a Florida driver driver’s license if such nonresident
  920  operates a motor vehicle on the highways of this state. The
  921  spouse or dependent child of such nonresident shall also be
  922  required to obtain a Florida driver driver’s license within that
  923  30-day period before prior to operating a motor vehicle on the
  924  highways of this state.
  925         (2) A member of the United States Armed Forces on active
  926  duty in this state, his or her spouse, or a dependent residing
  927  with him or her, is shall not be required to obtain or display a
  928  Florida driver driver’s license if he or she is in possession of
  929  a valid military identification card and either a valid driver
  930  license or learner’s permit issued by another state, or a valid
  931  military driving permit. Such a person is not required to obtain
  932  or display a Florida driver license under this section solely
  933  because he or she enters his or her children to be educated in
  934  the public schools of this state or because he or she accepts
  935  employment or engages in a trade, profession, or occupation in
  936  this state if he or she has a valid military driving permit or a
  937  valid driver’s license issued by another state.
  938         (3) A nonresident who is domiciled in another state and who
  939  commutes into this state in order to work is shall not be
  940  required to obtain a Florida driver driver’s license under this
  941  section solely because he or she has accepted employment or
  942  engages in a any trade, profession, or occupation in this state
  943  if he or she has a valid driver driver’s license issued by
  944  another state. Further, a any person who is enrolled as a
  945  student in a college or university and who is a nonresident but
  946  is in this state for a period of up to 6 months engaged in a
  947  work-study program for which academic credits are earned from a
  948  college whose credits or degrees are accepted for credit by at
  949  least three accredited institutions of higher learning, as
  950  defined in s. 1005.02, is shall not be required to obtain a
  951  Florida driver driver’s license for the duration of the work
  952  study program if such person has a valid driver driver’s license
  953  issued by another state. A Any nonresident who is enrolled as a
  954  full-time student in any such institution of higher learning is
  955  also exempt from the requirement of obtaining a Florida driver
  956  driver’s license for the duration of such enrollment.
  957         (4) A nonresident who is at least 21 years of age and who
  958  has in his or her immediate possession a valid commercial driver
  959  driver’s license issued in substantial compliance with the
  960  Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 may operate a motor
  961  vehicle of the type permitted by his or her license to be
  962  operated in this state.
  963         Section 25. Subsection (5) of section 322.121, Florida
  964  Statutes, is amended to read:
  965         322.121 Periodic reexamination of all drivers.—
  966         (5) A member Members of the United States Armed Forces, his
  967  or her spouse, or a dependent their dependents residing with him
  968  or her them, shall be granted an automatic extension for the
  969  expiration of his or her their Class E license licenses without
  970  reexamination while the member of the United States Armed Forces
  971  is serving on active duty outside this state. This extension is
  972  valid for 90 days after the member of the United States Armed
  973  Forces is either discharged or returns to this state to live.
  974         Section 26. Subsection (12) of section 455.213, Florida
  975  Statutes, is amended to read:
  976         455.213 General licensing provisions.—
  977         (12) The department shall waive the initial licensing fee,
  978  the initial application fee, and the initial unlicensed activity
  979  fee for a military veteran or his or her spouse at the time of
  980  discharge, if he or she who applies to the department for a
  981  license, in a format prescribed by the department, within 60 24
  982  months after the veteran is discharged discharge from any branch
  983  of the United States Armed Forces. To qualify for this waiver,
  984  the veteran must have been honorably discharged.
  985         Section 27. Subsection (13) of section 456.013, Florida
  986  Statutes, is amended to read:
  987         456.013 Department; general licensing provisions.—
  988         (13) The department shall waive the initial licensing fee,
  989  the initial application fee, and the initial unlicensed activity
  990  fee for a military veteran or his or her spouse at the time of
  991  discharge, if he or she who applies to the department for an
  992  initial license within 60 24 months after the veteran is being
  993  honorably discharged from any branch of the United States Armed
  994  Forces. The applicant must apply for the fee waiver using a form
  995  prescribed by the department and must submit supporting
  996  documentation as required by the department.
  997         Section 28. Present subsection (3) of section 456.024,
  998  Florida Statutes, is renumbered as subsection (4), and a new
  999  subsection (3) is added to that section, to read:
 1000         456.024 Members of Armed Forces in good standing with
 1001  administrative boards or the department; spouses; licensure.—
 1002         (3) A person who serves or has served as a health care
 1003  practitioner in the United States Armed Forces, United States
 1004  Reserve Forces, or the National Guard or a person who serves or
 1005  has served on active duty with the United States Armed Forces as
 1006  a health care practitioner in the United States Public Health
 1007  Service is eligible for licensure in this state. The department
 1008  shall develop an application form and each board, or the
 1009  department if there is no board, shall waive the application
 1010  fee, licensure fee, and unlicensed activity fee for such
 1011  applicants. For purposes of this subsection, “health care
 1012  practitioner” means a health care practitioner as defined in s.
 1013  456.001 and a person licensed under part III of chapter 401 or
 1014  part IV of chapter 468.
 1015         (a) The board, or department if there is no board, shall
 1016  issue a license to practice in this state to a person who:
 1017         1. Submits a complete application.
 1018         2. Receives an honorable discharge within 6 months before,
 1019  or will receive an honorable discharge within 6 months after,
 1020  the date of submission of the application.
 1021         3. Holds an active, unencumbered license issued by another
 1022  state, the District of Columbia, or a possession or territory of
 1023  the United States and who has not had disciplinary action taken
 1024  against him or her in the 5 years preceding the date of
 1025  submission of the application.
 1026         4. Attests that he or she is not, at the time of
 1027  submission, the subject of a disciplinary proceeding in a
 1028  jurisdiction in which he or she holds a license or by the United
 1029  States Department of Defense for reasons related to the practice
 1030  of the profession for which he or she is applying.
 1031         5. Actively practiced the profession for which he or she is
 1032  applying for the 3 years preceding the date of submission of the
 1033  application.
 1034         6. Submits a set of fingerprints for a background screening
 1035  pursuant to s. 456.0135, if required for the profession for
 1036  which he or she is applying.
 1037  
 1038  The department shall verify information submitted by the
 1039  applicant under this subsection using the National Practitioner
 1040  Data Bank.
 1041         (b) Each applicant who meets the requirements of this
 1042  subsection shall be licensed with all rights and
 1043  responsibilities as defined by law. The applicable board, or
 1044  department if there is no board, may deny an application if the
 1045  applicant has been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo
 1046  contendere to, regardless of adjudication, any felony or
 1047  misdemeanor related to the practice of a health care profession
 1048  regulated by this state.
 1049         (c) An applicant for initial licensure under this
 1050  subsection must submit the information required by ss.
 1051  456.039(1) and 456.0391(1) no later than 1 year after the
 1052  license is issued.
 1053         Section 29. Subsections (3) through (5) of section 458.315,
 1054  Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (2) through (4),
 1055  respectively, and subsections (1) and (2) of that section are
 1056  amended, to read:
 1057         458.315 Temporary certificate for practice in areas of
 1058  critical need.—
 1059         (1) A certificate issued pursuant to this section may be
 1060  cited as the “Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr., Temporary
 1061  Certificate for Practice in Areas of Critical Need.”
 1062         (1)(2)A Any physician who:
 1063         (a) is licensed to practice in any jurisdiction of in the
 1064  United States and whose license is currently valid; or
 1065         (b) Has served as a physician in the United States Armed
 1066  Forces for at least 10 years and received an honorable discharge
 1067  from the military;
 1068  
 1069  and who pays an application fee of $300 may be issued a
 1070  temporary certificate for practice in areas of critical need.
 1071         Section 30. Section 458.3151, Florida Statutes, is created
 1072  to read:
 1073         458.3151 Temporary certificate for active duty military and
 1074  veterans practicing in areas of critical need.—
 1075         (1) A certificate issued pursuant to this section may be
 1076  cited as the “Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr., Temporary
 1077  Certificate for Practice in Areas of Critical Need.”
 1078         (2) The board may issue a temporary certificate to a
 1079  physician who complies with subsection (3) and who will:
 1080         (a) Practice in an area of critical need;
 1081         (b) Be employed by or practice in a county health
 1082  department; correctional facility; Department of Veterans’
 1083  Affairs clinic; community health center funded by s. 329, s.
 1084  330, or s. 340 of the United States Public Health Services Act;
 1085  or other agency or institution that is approved by the State
 1086  Surgeon General and provides health care to meet the needs of
 1087  underserved populations in this state; or
 1088         (c) Practice for a limited time to address critical
 1089  physician-specialty, demographic, or geographic needs for this
 1090  state’s physician workforce as determined by the State Surgeon
 1091  General.
 1092         (3) To be eligible for a temporary certificate, a physician
 1093  must submit to the board:
 1094         (a) A complete application.
 1095         (b) Proof of an active and valid license to practice in a
 1096  jurisdiction of the United States.
 1097         (c) If on active duty, a letter from the physician’s
 1098  military command authorizing the physician to practice medicine
 1099  at an approved entity in an area of critical need.
 1100         (d) Documentation demonstrating the physician is serving on
 1101  active duty in the United States Armed Forces as a commissioned
 1102  medical officer or has served as a commissioned medical officer
 1103  in the United States Armed Forces for at least 10 years and
 1104  received an honorable discharge from the military.
 1105         (4) The board shall use a simplified application for a
 1106  temporary certificate for practice in areas of critical need to
 1107  reduce administrative impediments and maximize participation.
 1108         (5) The application fee and all licensure fees, including
 1109  neurological injury compensation assessments, shall be waived
 1110  for a physician obtaining a temporary certificate to practice in
 1111  areas of critical need for the purpose of providing volunteer,
 1112  uncompensated care for low-income residents. The applicant must
 1113  submit an affidavit from the employing agency or institution
 1114  stating that the physician will not receive any compensation for
 1115  any service involving the practice of medicine.
 1116         (6)(a) Within 60 days after receipt of a complete
 1117  application for a temporary certificate, the board shall review
 1118  the application and associated documentation and:
 1119         1. Issue the temporary certificate;
 1120         2. Deny the temporary certificate; or
 1121         3. Require the applicant to complete additional assessment,
 1122  training, education, or other requirements as a condition of
 1123  certification. The board shall issue a temporary certificate
 1124  upon receipt of documentation demonstrating that the
 1125  requirements of the board have been met.
 1126         (b) If an applicant has not actively practiced medicine
 1127  during the prior 3 years and the board determines the applicant
 1128  may lack clinical competency, possess diminished or inadequate
 1129  skills, lack necessary medical knowledge, or exhibit patterns of
 1130  deficits in clinical decisionmaking, the board may, within 60
 1131  days after receipt of a complete application:
 1132         1. Deny the application;
 1133         2. Issue a temporary certificate having reasonable
 1134  restrictions, including, but not limited to, a requirement that
 1135  the applicant practice under the supervision of a physician
 1136  approved by the board; or
 1137         3. Issue a temporary certificate upon receipt of
 1138  documentation confirming that the applicant has met any
 1139  reasonable conditions of the board, including, but not limited
 1140  to, completing continuing education or undergoing an assessment
 1141  of skills and training.
 1142         (c) The board may not issue a temporary certificate for
 1143  practice in areas of critical need to a physician who is under
 1144  investigation in any jurisdiction of the United States for an
 1145  act that would constitute a violation of this chapter until such
 1146  time as the investigation is complete, at which time the
 1147  provisions of s. 458.331 apply.
 1148         (7) The recipient of a temporary certificate for practice
 1149  in areas of critical need shall, within 30 days after accepting
 1150  employment, notify the board of all approved institutions in
 1151  which the licensee practices and of all approved institutions
 1152  where practice privileges have been denied. A physician holding
 1153  a temporary certificate for practice in areas of critical need
 1154  may enter into a contract to provide volunteer health care
 1155  services pursuant to s. 766.1115.
 1156         (8) A temporary certificate issued under this section is
 1157  valid only so long as the State Surgeon General determines that
 1158  the reason for which it was issued remains a critical need to
 1159  the state. The board shall review each temporary
 1160  certificateholder at least annually to ascertain compliance with
 1161  the minimum requirements of this chapter, including this
 1162  section, and rules adopted thereunder. If it is determined that
 1163  such minimum requirements are not being met, the board shall
 1164  revoke such certificate or shall impose restrictions or
 1165  conditions, or both, as a condition of continued practice under
 1166  the certificate.
 1167         Section 31. Subsections (3) through (5) of section
 1168  459.0076, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (2)
 1169  through (4), respectively, and subsections (1) and (2) of that
 1170  section are amended, to read:
 1171         459.0076 Temporary certificate for practice in areas of
 1172  critical need.—
 1173         (1) A certificate issued pursuant to this section may be
 1174  cited as the “Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr., Temporary
 1175  Certificate for Practice in Areas of Critical Need.”
 1176         (1)(2)A Any physician who:
 1177         (a) is licensed to practice in any jurisdiction of in the
 1178  United States and whose license is currently valid; or
 1179         (b) Has served as a physician in the United States Armed
 1180  Forces for at least 10 years and received an honorable discharge
 1181  from the military;
 1182  
 1183  and who pays an application fee of $300 may be issued a
 1184  temporary certificate for practice in areas of critical need.
 1185         Section 32. Section 459.00761, Florida Statutes, is created
 1186  to read:
 1187         459.00761 Temporary certificate for active duty military
 1188  and veterans practicing in areas of critical need.—
 1189         (1) A certificate issued pursuant to this section may be
 1190  cited as the “Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr., Temporary
 1191  Certificate for Practice in Areas of Critical Need.”
 1192         (2) The board may issue a temporary certificate to a
 1193  physician who complies with subsection (3) and who will:
 1194         (a) Practice in an area of critical need;
 1195         (b) Be employed by or practice in a county health
 1196  department; correctional facility; Department of Veterans’
 1197  Affairs clinic; community health center funded by s. 329, s.
 1198  330, or s. 340 of the United States Public Health Services Act;
 1199  or other agency or institution that is approved by the State
 1200  Surgeon General and provides health care to meet the needs of
 1201  underserved populations in this state; or
 1202         (c) Practice for a limited time to address critical
 1203  physician-specialty, demographic, or geographic needs for this
 1204  state’s physician workforce as determined by the State Surgeon
 1205  General.
 1206         (3) To be eligible for a temporary certificate, a physician
 1207  must submit to the board:
 1208         (a) A complete application.
 1209         (b) Proof of an active and valid license to practice in any
 1210  jurisdiction of the United States.
 1211         (c) If on active duty, a letter from the physician’s
 1212  military command authorizing the physician to practice medicine
 1213  at an approved entity in an area of critical need.
 1214         (d) Documentation demonstrating the physician is serving on
 1215  active duty in the United States Armed Forces as a commissioned
 1216  medical officer or has served as a commissioned medical officer
 1217  in the United States Armed Forces for at least 10 years and
 1218  received an honorable discharge from the military.
 1219         (4) The board shall use a simplified application for a
 1220  temporary certificate for practice in areas of critical need to
 1221  reduce administrative impediments and maximize participation.
 1222         (5) The application fee and all licensure fees, including
 1223  neurological injury compensation assessments, shall be waived
 1224  for a physician obtaining a temporary certificate to practice in
 1225  areas of critical need for the purpose of providing volunteer,
 1226  uncompensated care for low-income residents. The applicant must
 1227  submit an affidavit from the employing agency or institution
 1228  stating that the physician will not receive any compensation for
 1229  any service involving the practice of medicine.
 1230         (6)(a) Within 60 days after receipt of a complete
 1231  application for a temporary certificate, the board shall review
 1232  the application and associated documentation and:
 1233         1. Issue the temporary certificate;
 1234         2. Deny the temporary certificate; or
 1235         3. Require the applicant to complete additional assessment,
 1236  training, education, or other requirements as a condition of
 1237  certification. The board shall issue a temporary certificate
 1238  upon receipt of documentation demonstrating that the
 1239  requirements of the board have been met.
 1240         (b) If an applicant has not actively practiced medicine
 1241  during the prior 3 years and the board determines the applicant
 1242  may lack clinical competency, possess diminished or inadequate
 1243  skills, lack necessary medical knowledge, or exhibit patterns of
 1244  deficits in clinical decisionmaking, the board may, within 60
 1245  days after receipt of a complete application:
 1246         1. Deny the application;
 1247         2. Issue a temporary certificate having reasonable
 1248  restrictions, including, but not limited to, a requirement that
 1249  the applicant practice under the supervision of a physician
 1250  approved by the board; or
 1251         3. Issue a temporary certificate upon receipt of
 1252  documentation confirming that the applicant has met any
 1253  reasonable conditions of the board, including, but not limited
 1254  to, completing continuing education or undergoing an assessment
 1255  of skills and training.
 1256         (c) The board may not issue a temporary certificate for
 1257  practice in areas of critical need to a physician who is under
 1258  investigation in any jurisdiction of the United States for an
 1259  act that would constitute a violation of this chapter until such
 1260  time as the investigation is complete, at which time the
 1261  provisions of s. 459.015 apply.
 1262         (7) The recipient of a temporary certificate for practice
 1263  in areas of critical need shall, within 30 days after accepting
 1264  employment, notify the board of all approved institutions in
 1265  which the licensee practices and of all approved institutions
 1266  where practice privileges have been denied. A physician holding
 1267  a temporary certificate for practice in areas of critical need
 1268  may enter into a contract to provide volunteer health care
 1269  services pursuant to s. 766.1115.
 1270         (8) A temporary certificate issued under this section is
 1271  valid as long as the State Surgeon General determines that the
 1272  reason for which it was issued remains a critical need to the
 1273  state. The board shall review each temporary certificateholder
 1274  at least annually to ascertain compliance with the minimum
 1275  requirements of this chapter, including this section, and rules
 1276  adopted thereunder. If it is determined that such minimum
 1277  requirements are not being met, the board shall revoke such
 1278  certificate or shall impose restrictions or conditions, or both,
 1279  as a condition of continued practice under the certificate.
 1280         Section 33. Subsection (1) of section 468.304, Florida
 1281  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1282         468.304 Certification.—The department shall certify any
 1283  applicant who meets the following criteria:
 1284         (1) Pays to the department a nonrefundable fee that may not
 1285  exceed $100, plus the actual per-applicant cost to the
 1286  department for purchasing the examination from a national
 1287  organization. The department shall waive the initial application
 1288  fee for a military veteran or his or her spouse at the time of
 1289  discharge, if he or she who applies to the department for an
 1290  initial certification within 60 24 months after the veteran is
 1291  being honorably discharged from any branch of the United States
 1292  Armed Forces. The applicant must apply for the fee waiver using
 1293  a form prescribed by the department and must submit supporting
 1294  documentation as required by the department. This waiver does
 1295  not include the fee for purchasing the examination from a
 1296  national organization.
 1297  
 1298  The department may not certify any applicant who has committed
 1299  an offense that would constitute a violation of any of the
 1300  provisions of s. 468.3101 or applicable rules if the applicant
 1301  had been certified by the department at the time of the offense.
 1302  An application for a limited computed tomography certificate may
 1303  not be accepted. A person holding a valid computed tomography
 1304  certificate as of October 1, 1984, is subject to s. 468.309.
 1305         Section 34. Paragraph (b) of subsection (16) of section
 1306  499.012, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1307         499.012 Permit application requirements.—
 1308         (16)
 1309         (b) To be certified as a designated representative, a
 1310  natural person must:
 1311         1. Submit an application on a form furnished by the
 1312  department and pay the appropriate fees.;
 1313         2. Be at least 18 years of age.;
 1314         3. Have at least not less than 2 years of verifiable full
 1315  time:
 1316         a. Work experience in a pharmacy licensed in this state or
 1317  another state, where the person’s responsibilities included, but
 1318  were not limited to, recordkeeping for prescription drugs;, or
 1319  have not less than 2 years of verifiable full-time
 1320         b. Managerial experience with a prescription drug wholesale
 1321  distributor licensed in this state or in another state; or
 1322         c. Managerial experience with the United States Armed
 1323  Forces, where the person’s responsibilities included, but were
 1324  not limited to, recordkeeping, warehousing, distributing, or
 1325  other logistics services pertaining to prescription drugs.;
 1326         4. Receive a passing score of at least 75 percent on an
 1327  examination given by the department regarding federal laws
 1328  governing distribution of prescription drugs and this part and
 1329  the rules adopted by the department governing the wholesale
 1330  distribution of prescription drugs. This requirement shall be
 1331  effective 1 year after the results of the initial examination
 1332  are mailed to the persons that took the examination. The
 1333  department shall offer such examinations at least four times
 1334  each calendar year.; and
 1335         5. Provide the department with a personal information
 1336  statement and fingerprints pursuant to subsection (9).
 1337         Section 35. Present subsection (27) of section 1002.33,
 1338  Florida Statutes, is renumbered as subsection (28), and a new
 1339  subsection (27) is added to that section, to read:
 1340         1002.33 Charter schools.—
 1341         (27) MILITARY INSTALLATIONS.—
 1342         (a) The Legislature finds that military families face
 1343  unique challenges due to the highly mobile nature of military
 1344  service. Among the many challenges that military families face
 1345  is providing a high-quality education for their children without
 1346  disruption. The state has a compelling interest in assisting the
 1347  development and enhancement of learning opportunities for
 1348  military children and addressing their unique needs.
 1349         (b) It is the intent of the Legislature that a framework be
 1350  established to address the needs of military children who, along
 1351  with their families, face unique challenges due to the highly
 1352  mobile nature of military service. In establishing this
 1353  framework, military installation commanders are encouraged to
 1354  collaboratively work with the Commissioner of Education to
 1355  increase military family student achievement, which may include
 1356  the establishment of charter schools on military installations.
 1357  Although the State Board of Education, through the Commissioner
 1358  of Education, shall supervise this collaboration, the applicable
 1359  school district shall operate and maintain control over any
 1360  school that is established on the military installation.
 1361         Section 36. Subsection (12) is added to section 1009.26,
 1362  Florida Statutes, to read:
 1363         1009.26 Fee waivers.—
 1364         (12)(a) There is established the Congressman C. W. Bill
 1365  Young Veteran Tuition Waiver Program. A state university,
 1366  Florida College System institution, career center operated by a
 1367  school district under s. 1001.44, or charter technical career
 1368  center shall waive out-of-state fees for an honorably discharged
 1369  veteran of the United States Armed Forces, the United States
 1370  Reserve Forces, or the National Guard who physically resides in
 1371  this state while enrolled in the institution. Tuition and fees
 1372  charged to a veteran who qualifies for the out-of-state fee
 1373  waiver under this subsection may not exceed the tuition and fees
 1374  charged to a resident student. The waiver is applicable for 110
 1375  percent of the required credit hours of the degree or
 1376  certificate program for which the student is enrolled. Each
 1377  state university, Florida College System institution, career
 1378  center operated by a school district under s. 1001.44, and
 1379  charter technical career center shall report to the Board of
 1380  Governors and the State Board of Education, respectively, the
 1381  number and value of all fee waivers granted annually under this
 1382  subsection.
 1383         (b) This subsection may be cited as the “Congressman C.W.
 1384  Bill Young Tuition Waiver Act.”
 1385         Section 37. For the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the sum of $12.5
 1386  million in nonrecurring funds is appropriated from the General
 1387  Revenue Fund to the Department of Military Affairs for the
 1388  purpose of continuing renovations to state readiness centers to
 1389  meet state and federal building codes.
 1390         Section 38. For the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the sum of
 1391  $7,489,975 in nonrecurring funds is appropriated from the
 1392  General Revenue Fund to the Department of Environmental
 1393  Protection to allow the Board of Trustees of the Internal
 1394  Improvement Trust Fund to acquire, pursuant to s. 288.980,
 1395  Florida Statutes, nonconservation land adjacent to the following
 1396  installations for the purpose of securing and protecting the
 1397  installations against encroachment:
 1398         (1) MacDill Air Force Base.
 1399         (2) Naval Support Activity Panama City.
 1400         (3) Naval Station Mayport.
 1401         Section 39. 
 1402