[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6288106,"mediaKeyId","2544694-060da8b5329e7f1bd0241b3b19e729b9","parentId",2544694,"title","Committee approves update to statute on unlawful use of military uniforms and insignia","audioSeconds",147,"startMs",551065,"endMs",698526,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2544694-060da8b5329e7f1bd0241b3b19e729b9&start=551&end=698","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2544694-060da8b5329e7f1bd0241b3b19e729b9/thumbnail_551065.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6288106/Florida/Committee-approves-update-to-statute-on-unlawful-use-of-military-uniforms-and-insignia","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288106-69d1b8473bc48d149484b851e0cd9042/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163577&Signature=IJ2hDJNuy7IgTcZsQdjTG5sVSsaJUj2-7gagMjPgeFNMKNR0aedKTDcyitNOgW7~gTN5zMDSD02Pzsq~LE2YUu2QxGZtyqgI2nDKNhGJ83SUE-xS6Q2AoFhMTQ6LUGkmaJXAvOm~u3gnSghaMG4o1gsqAXBiPg4Cp6JrAQxHnTAx9RM-Vzy~d3x6Mmg4SjfTtodJArPtTqKIZZPA2sLn30mRydRPWaM3OYwdv8aq5qCw5XAmVfPsElUBaHUxyGTJ3aHiVUTJ7F91lico6RhHayRd4hBvL0Ex4qvyatIb4dSzJZ5b5aqajD6YBz6iRns6YKZYjbxCSvpFiwsVGSIziw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Florida State Legislature","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","The Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space and Domestic Security on Oct. 12 reported SB 402 favorably after Chair Senator Wright explained the measure updates language in Florida Statute 817.312.

Senator Wright said Senate Bill 402 “amends Florida statute 817.312, which provides that it is a third degree felony for a person to misrepresent himself or herself as a member or veteran of a specific armed forces or to wear the uniform or insignia of a specified armed forces under certain circumstances.” He described the bill’s principal change as replacing repeated lists of individual branches with a referral to the definition of “armed forces” in statute 250.01, which the sponsor said ensures consistent inclusion of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force and Coast Guard.

Committee members spoke in support; one member described seeing people falsely represent themselves as veterans and said it “cheapens that service in every way, shape, and form.” Senator Wright said the measure is intended to address incidents in which individuals wear medals or uniforms to solicit funds and then keep the proceeds.

No appearance forms were filed and the clerk recorded the roll; the chair announced, “By your vote, SB 402 is reported favorably.” The committee did not debate amendments, and no implementation timetable or interagency responsibilities beyond the statutory citation were discussed on the record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security 3/11/2025","oneSentenceSummary","SB 402 was reported favorably after sponsor Senator Wright said the bill amends Florida Statute 817.312 to reference the statutory definition of 'armed forces' (including Space Force) and to avoid listing each branch multiple times in the code.","taxTitle","Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security , Standing Committees, Senate, Legislative, Florida","taxId",26953,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6288112,"Committee advances SB 336 to extend Guard tuition aid to spouses and children",303,212495,516229,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2544694-060da8b5329e7f1bd0241b3b19e729b9&start=212&end=516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2544694-060da8b5329e7f1bd0241b3b19e729b9/thumbnail_212495.jpg","/articles/6288112/Florida/Committee-advances-SB-336-to-extend-Guard-tuition-aid-to-spouses-and-children","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288112-04f2d41a0af71f3a5b2e43ad9c2af729/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163577&Signature=T7v92FhO3T3~~Tdo0LhgtJaGpRGdapv2CgQyJU6jsD5J1LAsKo-rwmty7SUmwcm0QpWbIOXZ3JZ4RJ5KdvPWTr-G92bYzAILMDWmuziFQlWSMqvcjHp42dDQ3vwqNLtBSAy-OiRSSC1ebUtJOREfc2SBYbleV5ee6tNr-EqvVwzVbVvoRCFUvZ~yCqBfuS5JbqR3d63xlyvRe0V5y9V6sfkVjz05zCSiMGWUMqFc~O-82NzoIeTnLY4H0agMUsl~dKoQwTYOWRZoKa1YQTKgdjpcqpJYwwPR8K9cJyCxXTQM9i2QmfKPN3Ewka4c6e4Vv-U1xguRdgPnLfWMHS-imw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space and Domestic Security on Oct. 12 reported SB 336 favorably after sponsor Senator Arrington described the bill’s scope and funding set-aside.

“SB 336 expands the current Florida National Guard’s Education Dollars for Duty program to include spouses and children of active members,” Senator Arrington said. He told the committee the bill would allow spouses and children to be eligible for financial assistance of up to 50% of tuition, and that the Department of Military Affairs would oversee implementation; the transcript records the sponsor stating the bill “sets aside $500,000 of funds appropriated for the education program each fiscal year to provide tuition assistance for spouses and children of active members of the Florida National Guard.”

Committee members questioned how the program expansion would affect the existing fund. Chair Wright asked whether the fund typically runs out before covering current enrollees; Senator Arrington said discussions with appropriations staff aim to add an appropriation rather than draw down the existing $5,000,000 appropriation for guard members. Senator Arrington also said the Department of Military Affairs would provide a fiscal impact analysis and that the house sponsor was considering amending the proposal to limit eligibility (for example, by excluding children or limiting to dependents) to ease implementation.

Vice Chair Collins, speaking both as a legislator and a military spouse, offered extended support for the bill and emphasized family burdens created by deployments, saying, “I think it’s okay for Florida to be bold and try new things to give back to our families.” Several senators expressed gratitude to the sponsor and the bill’s goals before Senator Arrington waived closing remarks.

The clerk called the roll and the chair announced, “by your vote, SB 336 is reported favorably.” The transcript includes committee discussion about verification and implementation questions; it does not include a completed fiscal analysis or a finalized amendment on eligibility.","SB 336, which would expand the Florida National Guard’s Education Dollars for Duty program to include spouses and children of active members and set aside $500,000 annually, was reported favorably after sponsor testimony and supportive remarks from committee members.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6288116,"Committee advances bill to grant benefits to Florida State Guard members",107,82215,189901,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2544694-060da8b5329e7f1bd0241b3b19e729b9&start=82&end=189","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2544694-060da8b5329e7f1bd0241b3b19e729b9/thumbnail_82215.jpg","/articles/6288116/Florida/Committee-advances-bill-to-grant-benefits-to-Florida-State-Guard-members","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288116-ee64192450784092686aba92c6cc90f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163577&Signature=mY12ALEJ1hR~AXoh72OSkRGp~doefng1wT~9oZx8CfH962l0OGOHDMcvsCyCG2vUPrILYrbaRAy42PQKpPODhfCMT9rVH4wFrmd7GpBba5AjnF-h4ZeLFTFKgkb2sTOz6jO8veznpy5AfV2r4md~oi1QZKSuOcCUwafrZ39eR4DlCiRWbHiv2FAitxI9Pf61AGi0mCBBXQaSa6X1JCCphBLVVgmx62zYnol6JaBCMJ4Mo7Yme0kHrgnsCtPOdjTZ4lEJfDsafGLkZ1d4ngLEQ1rpuHSBNLKcC4oJ50OfnefirBoed~OLMVr799CSF6E1Dt-OO~Do2LUiT8AkgTDMHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space and Domestic Security on Oct. 12 reported SB 884 favorably after Senator Martin described the bill as creating a package of benefits for members of the Florida State Guard.

The bill, SB 884, would provide leaves of absence for holding State Guard duties, establish scholarships for eligible members, extend state-park discounts and make annual sportsman and fishing licenses available under the program. “Florida State Guard is in supportive of this bill package,” Senator Martin said during the committee hearing.

Senators asked no substantive questions during debate and three people filed appearance forms in support: Carrie Baker, Sarah Dean (listed as state employees) and Jay Arnold. The presentation and the public-support forms were the only substantive record of public input captured in committee minutes.

After Senator Martin waived closing remarks, the committee clerk called the roll. Multiple members answered “Yes,” and the chair announced, “by your vote, SB 884 is reported favorably.” The transcript does not record a formal motion text, mover, or a complete roll-call tally beyond the affirmative responses heard on the record.

The bill text as presented to the committee included benefit types but did not specify eligibility criteria, implementation procedures, or funding sources; the transcript records none of those details. If enacted, the Department or agency responsible for implementing the new benefits is not specified in the committee discussion on the record.

The committee had no further debate and moved on to other agenda items. No committee amendment, funding appropriation, or implementation timeline was provided during the hearing.","The Senate committee reported SB 884 favorably after a brief presentation; the bill would extend leaves of absence, scholarships, state-park discounts and certain hunting/fishing license benefits to members of the Florida State Guard.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee approves update to statute on unlawful use of military uniforms and insignia

Committee advances SB 336 to extend Guard tuition aid to spouses and children

Committee advances bill to grant benefits to Florida State Guard members