Senate Bill 1464 creates a new section of Florida Statutes, section 295.235, to direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand outreach efforts that connect veterans, their families, and survivors with earned services, benefits, and support. The bill focuses on increasing awareness and access to federal, state, and local veteran resources through internet-based outreach, a mobile application, printed materials, social media, and in-person engagement.
The bill also requires the department, using appropriated funds, to host at least two public events each year to provide information on available benefits and services, including educational, medical, insurance, and disability benefits. In addition, the department must submit an annual report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House detailing the number of events held, attendance, and any other information the department considers necessary. The act is set to take effect July 1, 2025, and is expressly subject to a yearly legislative appropriation of $500,000.
If enacted, the bill would add a new statutory mandate for the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs to broaden outreach and education efforts for veterans and their families, contingent on annual funding. It would not create a new benefit program, but would require the department to use appropriated money to improve access to existing services and to document outreach activity through annual reporting. The bill could affect veterans, their dependents and survivors, and the department’s administrative workload and budget planning.
The available voting history suggests favorable sentiment toward the bill, as it passed the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee unanimously by a 5-0 vote. The bill’s findings and structure also reflect a broadly supportive posture toward helping veterans access benefits they have already earned. No committee transcript is available, so there is no recorded debate indicating opposition or concern in the provided materials.
The main potential point of contention is fiscal: the bill is subject to an annual appropriation of $500,000, so its implementation depends on continued legislative funding. Another possible issue is whether the state should expand outreach for benefits that may already be available through federal and local systems, although the bill’s stated purpose is to reduce underuse caused by lack of awareness rather than duplicate services. No specific opposition was recorded in the provided vote or transcripts.