Florida Senate - 2024                      CS for CS for SB 1666
       
       
        
       By the Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services;
       the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and
       Domestic Security; and Senator Collins
       
       
       
       603-03528A-24                                         20241666c2
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to veterans; creating s. 265.8021,
    3         F.S.; defining the term “veteran”; creating the
    4         Florida Veterans’ History Program within the Division
    5         of Arts and Culture of the Department of State as a
    6         Florida Folklife Program; providing the program’s
    7         purpose; authorizing the division to request
    8         assistance from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs;
    9         requiring the division’s folklorists to seek out and
   10         identify certain veterans; authorizing the division or
   11         a folklorist to interview such veterans or invite them
   12         to submit written or electronic accounts of their
   13         experiences; authorizing the division to contract with
   14         a third-party vendor for a specified purpose;
   15         authorizing the division to adopt rules; amending s.
   16         295.21, F.S.; revising the purpose of Florida Is For
   17         Veterans, Inc.; revising the duties of the corporation
   18         to require that it conduct specified activities
   19         directed toward its target market; defining the term
   20         “target market”; deleting obsolete language; providing
   21         that the President of the Senate and the Speaker of
   22         the House of Representatives shall each appoint one
   23         member from his or her chamber to serve ex officio,
   24         nonvoting on the corporation’s board of directors;
   25         making technical changes; amending s. 295.22, F.S.;
   26         defining terms; revising the purpose of the Veterans
   27         Employment and Training Services Program; revising the
   28         functions that Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., must
   29         perform in administering a specified program;
   30         authorizing the program to prioritize grant funds;
   31         revising the uses of specified grant funds;
   32         authorizing a business to receive certain other grant
   33         funds in addition to specified grant funds;
   34         authorizing the use of grant funds to provide for a
   35         specified educational stipend; requiring the
   36         corporation and the University of Florida to enter
   37         into a grant agreement before certain funds are
   38         expended; requiring the corporation to determine the
   39         amount of the stipend; providing that specified
   40         training must occur for a specified duration;
   41         authorizing the corporation to provide certain
   42         assistance to state agencies and entities, to provide
   43         a website that has relevant hyperlinks, and to
   44         collaborate with specified state agencies and other
   45         entities for specified purposes; conforming provisions
   46         to changes made by the act; making technical changes;
   47         creating s. 295.25, F.S.; prohibiting the Department
   48         of State from charging veterans who reside in this
   49         state fees for the filing of specified documents;
   50         amending s. 379.353, F.S.; providing free hunting,
   51         freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing licenses to
   52         certain disabled veterans; providing that specified
   53         licenses issued to such veterans expire periodically
   54         and must be reissued upon request after such time
   55         period; amending s. 381.78, F.S.; revising the
   56         membership, appointment, and meetings of the advisory
   57         council on brain and spinal cord injuries; amending s.
   58         1003.42, F.S.; requiring instruction on the history
   59         and importance of Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day;
   60         requiring that certain instruction consist of two 45
   61         minute lessons that must occur within a certain
   62         timeframe; amending s. 288.0001, F.S.; conforming a
   63         cross-reference; reenacting ss. 379.3581(2)(b) and
   64         379.401(2)(b) and (3)(b), F.S., relating to special
   65         authorization hunting licenses and the suspension and
   66         forfeiture of licenses and permits, respectively, to
   67         incorporate the amendment made to s. 379.353, F.S., in
   68         references thereto; providing appropriations and
   69         authorizing a position; providing an effective date.
   70          
   71  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   72  
   73         Section 1. Section 265.8021, Florida Statutes, is created
   74  to read:
   75         265.8021Florida Veterans’ History Program.—
   76         (1)As used in this section, the term “veteran” has the
   77  same meaning as in s. 1.01(14).
   78         (2)There is created the Florida Veterans’ History Program
   79  within the Division of Arts and Culture of the Department of
   80  State as a Florida Folklife Program to collect and preserve the
   81  stories and experiences of Florida’s veterans and the State of
   82  Florida’s military contributions throughout the nation’s
   83  history. The division may request assistance with the program
   84  from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
   85         (3)In order to collect and preserve the stories and
   86  experiences of Florida’s veterans and the State of Florida’s
   87  military contributions throughout the nation’s history, the
   88  division’s folklorists shall seek out and identify those
   89  veterans who are willing to share their experiences. The
   90  division or a folklorist may interview veterans or invite
   91  veterans to submit written or electronic accounts of their
   92  experiences for inclusion in the program.
   93         (4)As provided in s. 265.802, the division may contract
   94  with a third-party vendor to fulfill its responsibilities under
   95  subsection (3).
   96         (5)The division may adopt rules to implement the program.
   97         Section 2. Subsection (2), paragraph (a) of subsection (3),
   98  and paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section 295.21, Florida
   99  Statutes, are amended to read:
  100         295.21 Florida Is For Veterans, Inc.—
  101         (2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the corporation is to serve as
  102  the state’s initial point of military transition assistance
  103  dedicated to promoting promote Florida as a veteran-friendly
  104  state helping that seeks to provide veterans and their spouses
  105  with employment opportunities and promoting that promotes the
  106  hiring of veterans and their spouses by the business community.
  107  The corporation shall encourage retired and recently separated
  108  military personnel to remain in this the state or to make this
  109  the state their permanent residence. The corporation shall
  110  promote the value of military skill sets to businesses in this
  111  the state, assist in tailoring the training of veterans and
  112  their spouses to match the needs of the employment marketplace,
  113  and enhance the entrepreneurial skills of veterans and their
  114  spouses.
  115         (3) DUTIES.—The corporation shall:
  116         (a) Conduct marketing, awareness, and outreach activities
  117  directed toward its target market. As used in this section, the
  118  term “target market” means those members, and their spouses, of
  119  the United States Armed Forces with 24 months or less until
  120  discharge, veterans with 36 months or less since discharge, and
  121  members of the Florida National Guard or reserves research to
  122  identify the target market and the educational and employment
  123  needs of those in the target market. The corporation shall
  124  contract with at least one entity pursuant to the competitive
  125  bidding requirements in s. 287.057 and the provisions of s.
  126  295.187 to perform the research. Such entity must have
  127  experience conducting market research on the veteran
  128  demographic. The corporation shall seek input from the Florida
  129  Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation on the scope, process,
  130  and focus of such research.
  131         (4) GOVERNANCE.—
  132         (a) The corporation shall be governed by a nine-member
  133  board of directors. The Governor, the President of the Senate,
  134  and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each
  135  appoint three members to the board. In making appointments, the
  136  Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
  137  House of Representatives must consider representation by active
  138  or retired military personnel and their spouses, representing a
  139  range of ages and persons with expertise in business, education,
  140  marketing, and information management. Additionally, the
  141  President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
  142  Representatives shall each appoint one member from the body over
  143  which he or she presides to serve on the board as ex officio,
  144  nonvoting members.
  145         Section 3. Section 295.22, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  146  read:
  147         295.22 Veterans Employment and Training Services Program.—
  148         (1) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.—The Legislature finds
  149  that the state has a compelling interest in ensuring that each
  150  veteran or his or her spouse who is a resident of this the state
  151  finds employment that meets his or her professional goals and
  152  receives the training or education necessary to meet those
  153  goals. The Legislature also finds that connecting dedicated,
  154  well-trained veterans with businesses that need a dedicated,
  155  well-trained workforce is of paramount importance. The
  156  Legislature recognizes that veterans or their spouses may not
  157  currently have the skills to meet the workforce needs of Florida
  158  employers and may require assistance in obtaining additional
  159  workforce training or in transitioning their skills to meet the
  160  demands of the marketplace. It is the intent of the Legislature
  161  that the Veterans Employment and Training Services Program
  162  coordinate and meet the needs of veterans and their spouses and
  163  the business community to enhance the economy of this state.
  164         (2) DEFINITIONS.—For the purposes of this section, the
  165  term:
  166         (a)“Secondary industry business” is a business that the
  167  state has an additional interest in supporting and for which
  168  veterans and their spouses may have directly transferrable
  169  skills. These businesses are in the fields of health care,
  170  agriculture, commercial construction, education, law
  171  enforcement, and public service.
  172         (b)“Servicemember” has the same meaning as in 250.01.
  173         (c)“Spouse” means a person who is married to a veteran, or
  174  an unremarried surviving spouse of a veteran.
  175         (d)“Target industry business” is a business as defined in
  176  s. 288.005.
  177         (e)“Target market” has the same meaning as in s.
  178  295.21(3)(a).
  179         (f)“Veteran” means, irrespective of discharge status, a
  180  person who otherwise meets the definition of veteran in s.
  181  1.01(14) or who is a servicemember.
  182         (3) CREATION.—The Veterans Employment and Training Services
  183  Program is created within the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to
  184  assist in connecting linking veterans or their spouses in search
  185  of employment with businesses seeking to hire dedicated, well
  186  trained workers and with opportunities for entrepreneurship
  187  education, training, and resources. The purpose of the program
  188  is to meet the workforce demands of businesses in this the state
  189  by facilitating access to training and education in high-demand
  190  fields for veterans or their spouses and to inspire the growth
  191  and development of veteran-owned small businesses.
  192         (4)(3) ADMINISTRATION.—Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., shall
  193  administer the Veterans Employment and Training Services Program
  194  and perform all of the following functions:
  195         (a) Conduct marketing and recruiting efforts directed at
  196  veterans or their spouses within the target market who reside in
  197  or who have an interest in relocating to this state and who are
  198  seeking employment. Marketing must include information related
  199  to how a veteran’s military experience can be valuable to a
  200  target industry or secondary industry business. Such efforts may
  201  include attending veteran job fairs and events, hosting events
  202  for veterans and their spouses or the business community, and
  203  using digital and social media and direct mail campaigns. The
  204  corporation shall also include such marketing as part of its
  205  main marketing campaign.
  206         (b) Assist veterans or their spouses who reside in or
  207  relocate to this state and who are seeking employment with
  208  target industry or secondary industry businesses. The
  209  corporation shall offer skills assessments to veterans or their
  210  spouses and assist them in establishing employment goals and
  211  applying for and achieving gainful employment.
  212         1. Assessment may include skill match information, skill
  213  gap analysis, résumé creation, translation of military skills
  214  into civilian workforce skills, and translation of military
  215  achievements and experience into generally understood civilian
  216  workforce skills.
  217         2. Assistance may include providing the veteran or his or
  218  her spouse with information on current workforce demand by
  219  industry or geographic region, creating employment goals, and
  220  aiding or teaching general knowledge related to completing
  221  applications. The corporation may provide information related to
  222  industry certifications approved by the Department of Education
  223  under s. 1008.44 as well as information related to earning
  224  academic college credit at public postsecondary educational
  225  institutions for college-level training and education acquired
  226  in the military under s. 1004.096.
  227         3. The corporation shall encourage veterans or their
  228  spouses to register with the state’s job bank system and may
  229  refer veterans to local one-stop career centers for further
  230  services. The corporation shall provide each veteran with
  231  information about state workforce programs and shall consolidate
  232  information about all available resources on one website that,
  233  if possible, includes a hyperlink to each resource’s website and
  234  contact information, if available.
  235         4. Assessment and assistance may be in person or by
  236  electronic means, as determined by the corporation to be most
  237  efficient and best meet the needs of veterans or their spouses.
  238         (c) Assist Florida target industry and secondary industry
  239  businesses in recruiting and hiring veterans and veterans’
  240  spouses. The corporation shall provide services to Florida
  241  businesses to meet their hiring needs by connecting businesses
  242  with suitable veteran applicants for employment. Suitable
  243  applicants include veterans or veterans’ spouses who have
  244  appropriate job skills or may need additional training to meet
  245  the specific needs of a business. The corporation shall also
  246  provide information about the state and federal benefits of
  247  hiring veterans.
  248         (d) Create a grant program to provide funding to assist
  249  veterans in meeting the workforce-skill needs of target industry
  250  and secondary industry businesses seeking to hire, promote, or
  251  generally improve specialized skills of veterans, establish
  252  criteria for approval of requests for funding, and maximize the
  253  use of funding for this program. Grant funds may be used only in
  254  the absence of available veteran-specific federally funded
  255  programs. Grants may fund specialized training specific to a
  256  particular business.
  257         1. The program may prioritize If grant funds to be are used
  258  to provide a technical certificate, a license licensure, or
  259  nondegree training from the Master Credentials List pursuant to
  260  s. 445.004(4)(h); any federally created certifications or
  261  licenses; and any skills-based industry certifications or
  262  licenses deemed relevant or necessary by the corporation. a
  263  degree, Funds may be allocated only upon a review that includes,
  264  but is not limited to, documentation of accreditation and
  265  licensure. Instruction funded through the program terminates
  266  when participants demonstrate competence at the level specified
  267  in the request but may not exceed 12 months. Preference shall be
  268  given to target industry businesses, as defined in s. 288.005,
  269  and to businesses in the defense supply, cloud virtualization,
  270  health care, or commercial aviation manufacturing industries.
  271         2. Costs and expenditures are shall be limited to $8,000
  272  per veteran trainee. Qualified businesses must cover the entire
  273  cost for all of the training provided before receiving
  274  reimbursement from the corporation equal to 50 percent of the
  275  cost to train a veteran who is a permanent, full-time employee.
  276  Eligible costs and expenditures include, but are not limited to:
  277         a. Tuition and fees.
  278         b. Books and classroom materials.
  279         c. Rental fees for facilities.
  280         3. Before funds are allocated for a request pursuant to
  281  this section, the corporation shall prepare a grant agreement
  282  between the business requesting funds and the corporation. Such
  283  agreement must include, but need not be limited to:
  284         a. Identification of the personnel necessary to conduct the
  285  instructional program, instructional program description, and
  286  any vendors used to conduct the instructional program.
  287         b. Identification of the estimated duration of the
  288  instructional program.
  289         c. Identification of all direct, training-related costs.
  290         d. Identification of special program requirements that are
  291  not otherwise addressed in the agreement.
  292         e. Permission to access aggregate information specific to
  293  the wages and performance of participants upon the completion of
  294  instruction for evaluation purposes. The agreement must specify
  295  that any evaluation published subsequent to the instruction may
  296  not identify the employer or any individual participant.
  297         4. A business may receive a grant under any state program
  298  the Quick-Response Training Program created under s. 288.047 and
  299  a grant under this section for the same veteran trainee.
  300         5.A portion of grant funds, as determined by the
  301  corporation, may be used for veterans who are not active members
  302  of the United States Armed Forces for educational stipends while
  303  training at any location of the University of Florida’s
  304  Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences within this state.
  305  The corporation and the University of Florida shall enter into a
  306  grant agreement before funds are expended. The corporation must
  307  determine the amount of the stipend. The training for any
  308  individual may not be less than 4 months and not more than 6
  309  months.
  310         (e) Contract with one or more entities to administer an
  311  entrepreneur initiative program for veterans in this state which
  312  connects business leaders in the state with veterans seeking to
  313  become entrepreneurs.
  314         1. The corporation shall award each contract in accordance
  315  with the competitive bidding requirements in s. 287.057 to one
  316  or more public or private entities that:
  317         a. Demonstrate the ability to implement the program and the
  318  commitment of resources, including financial resources, to such
  319  programs.
  320         b. Have a demonstrated experience working with veteran
  321  entrepreneurs.
  322         c. As determined by the corporation, have been recognized
  323  for their performance in assisting entrepreneurs to launch
  324  successful businesses in this the state.
  325         2. Each contract must include performance metrics,
  326  including a focus on employment and business creation. The
  327  entity may also work with a university or college offering
  328  related programs to refer veterans or to provide services. The
  329  entrepreneur initiative program may include activities and
  330  assistance such as peer-to-peer learning sessions, mentoring,
  331  technical assistance, business roundtables, networking
  332  opportunities, support of student organizations, speaker series,
  333  or other tools within a virtual environment.
  334         (f) Administer a As the state’s principal assistance
  335  organization under the United States Department of Defense’s
  336  SkillBridge initiative program for target industry and secondary
  337  industry qualified businesses in this state and for eligible
  338  veterans transitioning servicemembers who reside in, or who wish
  339  to reside in, this state. In administering the initiative, the
  340  corporation shall:
  341         1. Establish and maintain, as applicable, its certification
  342  for the SkillBridge initiative program or any other similar
  343  workforce training and transition programs established by the
  344  United States Department of Defense;
  345         2. Educate businesses, business associations, and eligible
  346  veterans transitioning servicemembers on the SkillBridge
  347  initiative program and its benefits, and educate military
  348  command and personnel within the state on the opportunities
  349  available to eligible veterans transitioning servicemembers
  350  through the SkillBridge program;
  351         3. Assist businesses in obtaining approval for skilled
  352  workforce training curricula under the SkillBridge initiative
  353  program, including, but not limited to, apprenticeships,
  354  internships, or fellowships; and
  355         4. Match eligible veterans transitioning servicemembers who
  356  are deemed eligible for SkillBridge participation by their
  357  military command with training opportunities offered by the
  358  corporation or participating businesses, with the intent of
  359  having them transitioning servicemembers achieve gainful
  360  employment in this state upon completion of their SkillBridge
  361  training.
  362         (g) Assist veterans and their spouses in accessing
  363  training, education, and employment in health care professions.
  364         (h) Coordinate with the Office of Veteran Licensure
  365  Services within the Department of Health to assist veterans and
  366  their spouses in obtaining licensure pursuant to s. 456.024.
  367         (5)COLLABORATION.—The corporation may assist state
  368  agencies and entities with recruiting veteran talent into their
  369  workforce. The corporation is encouraged to, and may collaborate
  370  with state agencies and other entities in efforts to, maximize
  371  access to and provide information on one website that, if
  372  possible, includes hyperlinks to the websites of and contact
  373  information, if available, for state agencies and other entities
  374  that maintain benefits, services, training, education, and other
  375  resources that are available to veterans and their spouses.
  376         (a)Outreach, information exchange, marketing, and
  377  referrals between agencies, entities, and the corporation
  378  regarding programs and initiatives that may be conducted
  379  include, but are not limited to, the Veterans Employment and
  380  Training Services Program and those within any of the following:
  381         1.The Department of Veterans’ Affairs:
  382         a.Access to benefits and assistance programs.
  383         b.Hope Navigators Program.
  384         2.The Department of Commerce:
  385         a.The Disabled Veteran Outreach Program and Local Veteran
  386  Employment Representatives.
  387         b.CareerSource Florida, Inc., and local workforce boards
  388  employment and recruitment services.
  389         c.The Quick-Response Training Program.
  390         d. The direct support organization established in s.
  391  288.012(6).
  392         3.The Department of Business and Professional Regulation,
  393  reciprocity and the availability of certain license and fee
  394  waivers.
  395         4.The Department of Education:
  396         a.CAPE industry certifications under s. 1008.44.
  397         b.Information related to earning postsecondary credit at
  398  public postsecondary educational institutions for college-level
  399  training and education acquired in the military under s.
  400  1004.096.
  401         5.The Department of Health:
  402         a.The Office of Veteran Licensure Services.
  403         b.The Florida Veterans Application for Licensure Online
  404  Response expedited licensing.
  405         (b)The corporation may coordinate and collaborate with the
  406  Office of Reimagining Education and Career Help, the State
  407  University System, the Florida College System, the Florida
  408  Defense Support Task Force, the Florida Small Business
  409  Development Center Network, and the Florida Talent Development
  410  Council, as necessary.
  411         Section 4. Section 295.25, Florida Statutes, is created to
  412  read:
  413         295.25 Veterans exempt from certain filing fees.—The
  414  Department of State may not charge veterans who reside in this
  415  state the applicable fees for filing articles of organization,
  416  articles of incorporation, a certificate of limited partnership,
  417  or a partnership registration statement, or for the designation
  418  of a registered agent, if applicable, as provided in s.
  419  605.0213, s. 607.0122, s. 617.0122, s. 620.1109, or s.
  420  620.81055.
  421         Section 5. Subsection (1) of section 379.353, Florida
  422  Statutes, is amended to read:
  423         379.353 Recreational licenses and permits; exemptions from
  424  fees and requirements.—
  425         (1) The commission shall issue without fee hunting,
  426  freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing licenses and permits
  427  shall be issued without fee to any resident who is certified or
  428  determined to be:
  429         (a) To be Totally and permanently disabled for purposes of
  430  workers’ compensation under chapter 440 as verified by an order
  431  of a judge of compensation claims or written confirmation by the
  432  carrier providing workers’ compensation benefits, or to be
  433  totally and permanently disabled by the Railroad Retirement
  434  Board, by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or
  435  its predecessor, or by any branch of the United States Armed
  436  Forces, or who holds a valid identification card issued under
  437  the provisions of s. 295.17, upon proof of such certification or
  438  determination same. Any license issued under this paragraph
  439  after January 1, 1997, expires after 5 years and must be
  440  reissued, upon request, every 5 years thereafter.
  441         (b) To be Disabled by the United States Social Security
  442  Administration, upon proof of such certification or
  443  determination same. Any license issued under this paragraph
  444  after October 1, 1999, expires after 2 years and must be
  445  reissued, upon proof of certification of disability, every 2
  446  years thereafter.
  447         (c)A disabled veteran of the United States Armed Forces
  448  who was honorably discharged upon separation from service and
  449  who is certified by the United States Department of Veterans
  450  Affairs or its predecessor or by any branch of the United States
  451  Armed Forces as having a service-connected disability percentage
  452  rating of 50 percent or greater, upon proof of such
  453  certification or determination. Any license issued under this
  454  paragraph after July 1, 2024, expires after 5 years and must be
  455  reissued, upon request, every 5 years thereafter.
  456  
  457  A disability license issued after July 1, 1997, and before July
  458  1, 2000, retains the rights vested thereunder until the license
  459  has expired.
  460         Section 6. Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of section 381.78,
  461  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  462         381.78 Advisory council on brain and spinal cord injuries.—
  463         (1) There is created within the department a 16-member
  464  advisory council on brain and spinal cord injuries. The council
  465  shall be composed of a minimum of:
  466         (a)Two four individuals who have brain injuries or are
  467  family members of individuals who have brain injuries, with one
  468  individual appointed by the President of the Senate and the
  469  other individual appointed by the Speaker of the House of
  470  Representatives., a minimum of four
  471         (b)Two individuals who have spinal cord injuries or are
  472  family members of individuals who have spinal cord injuries,
  473  with one individual appointed by the President of the Senate and
  474  the other individual appointed by the Speaker of the House of
  475  Representatives., and a minimum of
  476         (c) Two individuals who represent the special needs of
  477  children who have brain or spinal cord injuries, with one
  478  individual appointed by the President of the Senate and the
  479  other individual appointed by the Speaker of the House of
  480  Representatives.
  481         (d)Two individuals who have, or who are family members of
  482  individuals who have or had, a traumatic brain injury, chronic
  483  traumatic encephalopathy, or subconcussive impacts due to
  484  sports, with one individual appointed the President of the
  485  Senate and the other individual appointed by the Speaker of the
  486  House of Representatives.
  487         (e)Two veterans as defined in s. 1.01(14) who have or have
  488  had a traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy,
  489  or subconcussive impacts due to military service, or family
  490  members of such veterans, with one veteran or family member
  491  appointed by the President of the Senate and the other veteran
  492  or family member appointed by the Speaker of the House of
  493  Representatives.
  494         (f)Six individuals, appointed by the State Surgeon
  495  General, who are The balance of the council members shall be
  496  physicians, other allied health professionals, administrators of
  497  brain and spinal cord injury programs, or and representatives
  498  from support groups who that have expertise in areas related to
  499  the rehabilitation of individuals who have brain or spinal cord
  500  injuries.
  501         (2) Members of the council shall be appointed to serve by
  502  the State Surgeon General. All members’ terms shall be staggered
  503  terms of for 4 years. An individual may not serve more than two
  504  terms. Any council member who is unwilling or unable to properly
  505  fulfill the duties of the office shall be succeeded by an
  506  individual chosen by the State Surgeon General to serve out the
  507  unexpired balance of the replaced council member’s term. If the
  508  unexpired balance of the replaced council member’s term is less
  509  than 18 months, then, notwithstanding the provisions of this
  510  subsection, the succeeding council member may be reappointed by
  511  the State Surgeon General twice.
  512         (3) The council shall meet at least quarterly and may
  513  adjourn a meeting only by unanimous consent two times annually.
  514         Section 7. Paragraph (u) of subsection (2) of section
  515  1003.42, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  516         1003.42 Required instruction.—
  517         (2) Members of the instructional staff of the public
  518  schools, subject to the rules of the State Board of Education
  519  and the district school board, shall teach efficiently and
  520  faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the
  521  highest standards for professionalism and historical accuracy,
  522  following the prescribed courses of study, and employing
  523  approved methods of instruction, the following:
  524         (u)1. In order to encourage patriotism, the sacrifices that
  525  veterans and Medal of Honor recipients have made in serving our
  526  country and protecting democratic values worldwide. Such
  527  instruction must occur on or before Medal of Honor Day,
  528  Veterans’ Day, and Memorial Day. Members of the instructional
  529  staff are encouraged to use the assistance of local veterans and
  530  Medal of Honor recipients when practicable.
  531         2. The history and importance of Veterans’ Day and Memorial
  532  Day. Such instruction must include two 45-minute lessons that
  533  occur on or before the respective holidays.
  534  
  535  The State Board of Education is encouraged to adopt standards
  536  and pursue assessment of the requirements of this subsection.
  537  Instructional programming that incorporates the values of the
  538  recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor and that is
  539  offered as part of a social studies, English Language Arts, or
  540  other schoolwide character building and veteran awareness
  541  initiative meets the requirements of paragraph (u).
  542         Section 8. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section
  543  288.0001, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  544         288.0001 Economic Development Programs Evaluation.—The
  545  Office of Economic and Demographic Research and the Office of
  546  Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA)
  547  shall develop and present to the Governor, the President of the
  548  Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the
  549  chairs of the legislative appropriations committees the Economic
  550  Development Programs Evaluation.
  551         (2) The Office of Economic and Demographic Research and
  552  OPPAGA shall provide a detailed analysis of economic development
  553  programs as provided in the following schedule:
  554         (c) By January 1, 2016, and every 3 years thereafter, an
  555  analysis of the following:
  556         1. The tax exemption for semiconductor, defense, or space
  557  technology sales established under s. 212.08(5)(j).
  558         2. The Military Base Protection Program established under
  559  s. 288.980.
  560         3. The Quick Response Training Program established under s.
  561  288.047.
  562         4. The Incumbent Worker Training Program established under
  563  s. 445.003.
  564         5. The direct-support organization and international trade
  565  and business development programs established or funded under s.
  566  288.012 or s. 288.826.
  567         6. The program established under s. 295.22(3) s. 295.22(2).
  568         Section 9. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
  569  made by this act to section 379.353, Florida Statutes, in a
  570  reference thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
  571  379.3581, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
  572         379.3581 Hunter safety course; requirements; penalty.—
  573         (2)
  574         (b) A person born on or after June 1, 1975, who has not
  575  successfully completed a hunter safety course may apply to the
  576  commission for a special authorization to hunt under
  577  supervision. The special authorization for supervised hunting
  578  shall be designated on any license or permit required under this
  579  chapter for a person to take game or fur-bearing animals. A
  580  person issued a license with a special authorization to hunt
  581  under supervision must hunt under the supervision of, and in the
  582  presence of, a person 21 years of age or older who is licensed
  583  to hunt pursuant to s. 379.354 or who is exempt from licensing
  584  requirements or eligible for a free license pursuant to s.
  585  379.353.
  586         Section 10. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
  587  made by this act to section 379.353, Florida Statutes, in
  588  references thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (2) and
  589  paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section 379.401, Florida
  590  Statutes, are reenacted to read:
  591         379.401 Penalties and violations; civil penalties for
  592  noncriminal infractions; criminal penalties; suspension and
  593  forfeiture of licenses and permits.—
  594         (2) LEVEL TWO VIOLATIONS.—
  595         (b)1. A person who commits a Level Two violation but who
  596  has not been convicted of a Level Two or higher violation within
  597  the past 3 years commits a misdemeanor of the second degree,
  598  punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
  599         2. Unless the stricter penalties in subparagraph 3. or
  600  subparagraph 4. apply, a person who commits a Level Two
  601  violation within 3 years after a previous conviction for a Level
  602  Two or higher violation commits a misdemeanor of the first
  603  degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, with
  604  a minimum mandatory fine of $250.
  605         3. Unless the stricter penalties in subparagraph 4. apply,
  606  a person who commits a Level Two violation within 5 years after
  607  two previous convictions for a Level Two or higher violation,
  608  commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as
  609  provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, with a minimum mandatory
  610  fine of $500 and a suspension of any recreational license or
  611  permit issued under s. 379.354 for 1 year. Such suspension shall
  612  include the suspension of the privilege to obtain such license
  613  or permit and the suspension of the ability to exercise any
  614  privilege granted under any exemption in s. 379.353.
  615         4. A person who commits a Level Two violation within 10
  616  years after three previous convictions for a Level Two or higher
  617  violation commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable
  618  as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, with a minimum
  619  mandatory fine of $750 and a suspension of any recreational
  620  license or permit issued under s. 379.354 for 3 years. Such
  621  suspension shall include the suspension of the privilege to
  622  obtain such license or permit and the suspension of the ability
  623  to exercise any privilege granted under s. 379.353. If the
  624  recreational license or permit being suspended was an annual
  625  license or permit, any privileges under ss. 379.353 and 379.354
  626  may not be acquired for a 3-year period following the date of
  627  the violation.
  628         (3) LEVEL THREE VIOLATIONS.—
  629         (b)1. A person who commits a Level Three violation but who
  630  has not been convicted of a Level Three or higher violation
  631  within the past 10 years commits a misdemeanor of the first
  632  degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
  633         2. A person who commits a Level Three violation within 10
  634  years after a previous conviction for a Level Three or higher
  635  violation commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable
  636  as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, with a minimum
  637  mandatory fine of $750 and a suspension of any recreational
  638  license or permit issued under s. 379.354 for the remainder of
  639  the period for which the license or permit was issued up to 3
  640  years. Such suspension shall include the suspension of the
  641  privilege to obtain such license or permit and the ability to
  642  exercise any privilege granted under s. 379.353. If the
  643  recreational license or permit being suspended was an annual
  644  license or permit, any privileges under ss. 379.353 and 379.354
  645  may not be acquired for a 3-year period following the date of
  646  the violation.
  647         3. A person who commits a violation of s. 379.354(17) shall
  648  receive a mandatory fine of $1,000. Any privileges under ss.
  649  379.353 and 379.354 may not be acquired for a 5-year period
  650  following the date of the violation.
  651         Section 11. For the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the sum of
  652  $91,207 in recurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is
  653  appropriated to the Division of Arts and Culture of the
  654  Department of State, and one full-time equivalent position with
  655  associated salary rate of 68,771 is authorized, to implement and
  656  administer the Florida Veterans’ History Program as created by
  657  this act.
  658         Section 12. For the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the sum of
  659  $528,514 in nonrecurring funds is appropriated from the General
  660  Revenue Fund to the University of Florida for the purpose of
  661  conducting a longitudinal study on the efficacy of ketamine in
  662  treating depression in the veteran population of this state.
  663         Section 13. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.