Transcript Highlights:

• we're going to be talking about SB 1182, business development incentives for veterans and military spouses
• This year it's SB 1182, which creates the Florida Veterans and Military Spouses Business Development
• Act, which is designed to provide our veteran-owned and military spouse-owned businesses with fee relief
• This year it's SB 1182, which creates the Florida Veterans and Military Spouses Business Development
• Act, which is designed to provide our veteran-owned and military spouse-owned businesses with fee relief

Bills: S1182 , S1594

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The Senate Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and took up two bills. SB 1594, by Senator Gates, would change how veterans’ benefits received on behalf of foster youth are handled so the funds are not used to offset foster care costs, but instead are preserved for post-secondary education or aftercare services when the youth leaves foster care. The bill drew one supportive appearance from Victoria Zep of Family Support Services, had no debate, and was reported favorably by a unanimous roll call vote. Senator Sharief later asked to be recorded as a yes vote on the bill. The committee then considered SB 1182, by Senator Jones, which creates the Florida Veterans and Military Spouses Business Development Act to provide fee relief and tax incentives for veteran-owned and military spouse-owned businesses. The committee adopted Jones’s strike-all amendment, which added information-sharing and verification provisions, refined the tax exemptions, and broadened eligibility for fee waivers and sales tax relief. After no questions or debate, the amended bill was reported favorably by unanimous vote. The committee also held a confirmation hearing for three appointees—Matthew Bacchano, Tim Thomas, and Belinda Kaiser—and recommended confirmation on all three in one vote. The meeting concluded with several members offering remarks praising Chair Wright’s long service and leadership on veterans’ issues, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And often times when we joke that the candidate you recruit, the spouse, the husband, or the wife would
• I would recommend each of you thank your spouse if you have one.
• , that means your spouse has to lose it.
• ><00:07:42.120><c> that</c><00:07:42.320><c> means</c><00:07:42.560><c> your</c><00:07:42.960><c> spouse
• </c><00:07:43.960><c> has</c> your spouse that means your spouse has your spouse that means your spouse

Transcript Highlights:

• becomes valid if the spouses live together and if they represent themselves to others as married.
• Concerns have been raised that current law doesn't do enough to protect the innocent spouse.
• marrying again, House Bill 2240 would provide needed protections to innocent spouses, ensuring they
• aren't misled into invalid marriages with spouses also married to someone else.
• The putative spouse could be military, or the non-putative spouse could be military. Correct.

Bills: HB220 , HB783 , HB2240 , HB3336 , HB4202 , HB4449 , HB4904 , HB3441 , HB4284

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• removes the current limitation that restricted how much of the veterans' tax exemption a surviving spouse
• The exemption continues for surviving spouses as long as they hold title to the new residence.
• This bill honors our service members by ensuring that surviving spouses are not penalized during moments
• It allows an eligible surviving spouse to transfer up to 120% of the prior exemption amount to a new
• The revised transfer limit applies uniformly to all surviving spouse provisions within the section, and

Summary: The Senate Committee on Finance and Tax met and reported several bills favorably after brief presentations, no substantive opposition, and mostly unanimous or near-unanimous roll calls. CS/SB 118, by Senator Trunow, clarified how non-ad valorem special assessments may be levied on recreational vehicle parks, and an amendment removed a requirement that local governments consider RV park occupancy rates when apportioning assessments. The bill was supported by the Florida Retail Federation and passed favorably. SB 1520, by Senator Kalatayud, made changes to the Live Local Act’s missing middle property tax exemption, including allowing vesting upon final site plan approval for one year and expanding the data used for local government opt-out decisions; it also passed favorably with support from Landlord Housing Partners. The committee also approved CS/SB 678, by Senator Mayfield, which reestablishes the framework allowing distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise tax calculations and applies retroactively to January 1, 2025. Support came from the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association, Wine and Spirits Distributors of Florida, and Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits. CS/SB 680, also by Senator Mayfield, addressed double taxation of electricity used at EV charging stations by creating a sales tax exemption for separately metered electricity sold to station operators and transferred to consumers; Tesla and the Florida Retail Federation supported it, and Senator Gates spoke in favor, describing the bill as a fair solution to a prior tax administration problem. CS/SB 450, by Senator Polsky, updated property tax exemption rules for permanently and totally disabled veterans’ surviving spouses, including allowing transfer of up to 120% of the prior homestead exemption amount to a new residence. The amendment and bill were supported by the Property Appraisers Association of Florida and passed favorably. Finally, CS/SB 1074, by Senator Gates, was amended to establish uniform rules for rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel in light of penny distribution issues, while protecting sales tax calculations and providing liability protections; it also included safeguards for pawn and recycling transactions. The Florida Retail Federation, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and Associated Industries of Florida supported the measure, which was reported favorably. Senator Gates requested to be recorded as voting yes on all bills, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• removes the current limitation that restricted how much of the veterans' tax exemption a surviving spouse
• The exemption continues for surviving spouses as long as they hold title to the new residence...
• This bill honors our service members by ensuring that surviving spouses are not penalized during moments
• It allows an eligible surviving spouse to transfer up to 120% of the prior exemption amount to a new
• The revised transfer limit applies uniformly to all surviving spouse provisions within the section, and

Bills: S0118 , S0450 , S0678 , S0680 , S1074 , S1520

Committee: Senate Finance and Tax

Summary: The Committee on Finance and Tax met with a quorum present and heard several bills, most of them focused on tax policy and property-related exemptions. CS/SB 118 clarified how non-ad valorem special assessments apply to recreational vehicle parks, and an amendment removed a requirement that local governments consider RV park occupancy rates when apportioning assessments. The bill was supported by a Florida Retail Federation representative and was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably on SB 1520, which modifies Live Local Act property tax exemption provisions by extending the vesting period for the missing middle exemption and expanding the data used for local government opt-outs; SB 678, which reestablishes the framework allowing distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise tax; and CS/SB 680, which creates a sales tax exemption to address double taxation on electricity used at EV charging stations. Each of these bills had support from industry or trade groups, and CS/SB 680 drew comments from Senator Gaetz praising the bill as a solution to prior tax collection confusion. The committee then approved CS/SB 450, which updates property tax exemption rules for surviving spouses of permanently and totally disabled veterans by allowing transfer of a larger portion of the exemption to a new homestead; an amendment raised the transferable amount to up to 120% of the prior exemption. The final bill, CS/SB 1074, was amended to establish uniform rules for rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel in light of the Federal Reserve’s suspension of penny distribution, while preserving tax calculations and providing liability protections; it also included safeguards for pawn and recycling transactions. All bills considered were reported favorably, Senator Gaetz asked to be recorded as voting yes on all bills, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• IS NOT ALWAYS THE PERSON WHO CARES ABOUT WHERE THE KIDS GO TO SCHOOL SO IT NEEDS TO GET TO THEIR SPOUSE
• SO THE MEMBER GOES TO THE CLASS WITH A SPOUSE IS THE ONE THAT NEEDS INFORMATION.
• I WAS A MILITARY SPOUSE BEFORE I GOT TO BE A LIAISON.
• OUR AREA WHETHER IT'S MILITARY SPOUSE OR ACTIVE DUTY OR VETERANS.
• OFTEN TIMES THESE MILITARY AND FAMILY COUNSELORS THEY THEMSELVES ARE SPOUSES OR THEY ARE ALSO FORMER

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, their surviving spouse is not eligible for the exemption.
• They likely would have been rated 100% disabled and their spouse would qualify.
• House Bill 2508 addresses a gap related to homestead exemptions for a surviving spouse.
• Beyond the grief associated with losing a spouse, the additional stress... And VA rules.
• In many cases, a surviving spouse had been fulfilling the role also of primary caregiver.

Bills: HB103

Committee: Senate Local Government

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard a series of local and special-purpose bills, mostly with brief sponsor explanations and little or no public opposition. Topics included fireworks sales near the Texas-Mexico border for Cinco de Mayo (HB 1629), allowing larger counties to use their own inspectors for county buildings (HB 3234), updating governance and financial rules for the Wood County Central Hospital District (HB 5664), clarifying firefighter collective bargaining and impasse procedures (HB 3171), and exempting certain Fort Worth ETJ properties from release rules to protect infrastructure investments (HB 2512). The committee also heard bills on border subdivision rules in Cameron County (HB 3680), extending a property tax exemption to surviving spouses of certain veterans affected by the PACT Act (HB 2508/HJR 133), drainage district election timing and procedures (HB 5693, HB 2694), utility transparency for municipally owned systems (HB 1991), and management district and hospital district election or appointment changes (HB 5698, HB 2293). Another major bill, HB 1449, would expand a food truck permitting pilot program to counties over one million population; witnesses supported the concept but asked the committee to coordinate it with related fee and standards bills, and the bill was left pending for further work. The committee also heard HB 3732, which would let fire departments obtain extensions to comply with new NFPA protective equipment standards, and HB 5431, which would clarify that mayors and at-large council members do not need new elections after reapportionment; both were left pending after questions about their scope. Several transparency and tax-related bills were also discussed, including HB 103, creating a statewide database of local bond and tax election information, and HB 851, requiring reporting on homestead tax ceiling properties; both drew support and were later voted out. After testimony, the committee reported multiple bills favorably, often unanimously, and recommended many for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also used procedural swaps to substitute House companions for Senate bills on several measures, then recessed with plans to return later to process additional bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, next we are going to take up HB 797, Veteran and Spouse Nursing Home Beds, by Representative
• , and surviving spouses to create veteran and spouse designated nursing home beds in a skilled nursing
• take a spouse who may not need care, put them there, and deny a vet a bed.
• So it's creating more opportunities for veterans and their spouses, but this is actually...
• So it's creating more opportunities for veterans and their spouses.

Summary: The Health Care Facilities and System Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered five bills. HB 1101 on out-of-network providers drew the most discussion; Rep. Albert said it would require written notice when a patient is referred to an out-of-network provider and would count certain insurer payments toward deductibles. Several members and the Florida College of Emergency Physicians raised concerns about placing the burden on doctors’ offices, possible delays in referrals, and unclear enforcement, but the bill was reported favorably 16-2. Public testimony included support from AARP and concerns from emergency physicians about ER workflow and insurance-network transparency. The committee then unanimously approved PCS for HB 475, reducing fines for ambulatory surgery centers that violate good-faith estimate requirements from $1,000 to $250 per day, with a lower maximum penalty. The bill sponsor said the change was intended to right-size penalties for smaller facilities; witnesses from surgery centers and HCA supported it. HB 797, which would allow a nonprofit retirement community serving veterans and spouses to create veteran-and-spouse nursing home beds and transfer a certificate of need within 100 miles, also passed unanimously after members discussed whether it could affect access for veterans; the sponsor said it would create additional private beds rather than displace existing ones. HB 1085 on the Children’s Medical Services Program was amended and reported favorably 14-3. The bill would move managed care plan operations for medically fragile children from the Department of Health to AHCA, keep clinical eligibility at DOH, and shift PPEC services fully into managed care. The adopted amendment changed the waiver provision to require AHCA to develop and present a comprehensive redesign plan for the Medicaid model waiver for children receiving private duty nursing. Several members supported the goal but raised concerns about eliminating family choice and the impact on medically fragile children. Finally, HB 1353 on home health care services passed unanimously. The bill would remove geographic limits on home health administrators, allow more licensed RNs including contract RNs to perform visits, and revise the home health excellence award program. Supporters said it would address workforce shortages and improve access, while one member warned it could increase costs and competition for nurses. The committee adjourned after reporting all five bills favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• That spouse files a petition for divorce. That spouse controls everything from that point.
• That spouse then kicks the other spouse off of insurance with no notice to the divorcing spouse.
• That spouse files a petition for divorce. That spouse controls everything from that point.
• That spouse then kicks the other spouse off of insurance with no notice to the divorcing spouse.
• That spouse is driving around for 30 days or more because that spouse is not in the home anymore to get

Bills: HB37 , HB51 , HB173 , HB180 , HB192 , HB306 , HB366 , HB393 , HB485 , HB516 , HB521 , HB526 , HB638 , HB752 , HB817 , HB976 , HB1006 , HB1044

Committee: House Civil Law and Procedure

Keywords: HB37, expropriation, eminent domain, property rights, foreign entity, foreign corporation, limited liability company, LLC, reciprocal expropriation agreement, Louisiana property law, land acquisition, utility infrastructure, public utilities, railroad, waterworks, sewerage, natural gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, carbon dioxide pipeline

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:13.080><c> is</c> if if a surviving spouse is if if a surviving spouse is disinherited.
• But the decedent spouse, but the problem But the decedent spouse, but the problem is<00:24:31.440><c>
• </c> Um but the surviving spouse Um but the surviving spouse would<00:35:28.240><c> have</c><00:35:28.680
• </c><00:35:54.800><c> a</c> it would give the surviving spouse a it would give the surviving spouse a
• </c> And so, why should the surviving spouse And so, why should the surviving spouse be<00:36:13.920>

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• MOST OF OUR STAFF THAT ARE NONVETERANS GREW UP AS A MILITARY BRAT OR IS A SPOUSE, A VETERAN SPOUSE.
• HELPING PROVIDE VETERANS AND SPOUSES WITH OPPORTUNITIES WE ARE THE WELCOME WAGON IF YOU REMEMBER THAT
• WE WORK DIRECTLY WITH EMPLOYERS TO ENCOURAGE THE HIRING OF VETERANS AND THEIR SPOUSES.
• ADDED SPOUSES TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS THEY HADN'T BEEN TO BEFORE.
• THE CORE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO MILITARY MEMBERS AND SPOUSES.

Transcript Highlights:

• In employment, military spouses face a 21% unemployment rate. unemployment rate—nearly four times the
• Employers often hesitate to hire military spouses due to concerns about future relocations.
• In addition to that, you're correct that there is a lot of discrimination for spouses.
• Spouses have the right to work, and they should be able to apply.
• But you're right, the spouses experience a lot of discrimination.

Bills: SB2007 , SB2104 , SB2543 , SB2545 , SB2926 , SB2938

Committee: Senate Veteran Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• There was just last month one individual who needed emergency housing for himself, his spouse, and his
• I'm a Gold Star spouse. That means my husband died serving our country.
• I'm a Gold Star spouse. That means my husband died serving our country.
• I'm a Gold Star spouse. That means my husband died serving our country.
• need as a Gold Star spouse.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And we want all eligible spouses to be able to be paid as caregivers. This is critical.
• The ability for spouses to be paid caregivers, recognizing the value of care provided within the family
• Today, non-spouse family members and friends can be paid as caregivers under MassHealth, yet spouses—often
• Preventing spouses from being paid caregivers forces low-income families, especially women of color,
• It allows spouses to be paid as caregivers under MassHealth.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing focused largely on tax-credit proposals tied to children, families, caregivers, child care, health care workforce development, and public health. A major portion of the hearing concerned bills to expand the state earned income tax credit and child and family tax credit, including H. 3073/S. 1957 and S. 1975. Testimony from advocacy groups, legal services, tax assistance organizations, and health providers supported increasing the EITC match from 40% to 50% of the federal credit, expanding eligibility to immigrant and mixed-status ITIN filers, larger families, younger and older workers, and SSI recipients, and raising the child and family tax credit to $600 per child with inflation adjustments and possible advance payments. Witnesses said these changes would reduce poverty, improve health and educational outcomes, and help families meet basic expenses; committee members asked questions about ITIN filers and expressed support for the policy goals. The committee also heard extensive testimony on S. 1938/H. 3159, An Act Supporting Family Caregivers. Speakers described the scale of unpaid caregiving in Massachusetts and supported a package that would create a refundable tax credit, respite vouchers, workplace and housing protections, unemployment insurance access for those who leave work to care for relatives, a permanent advisory council, and a provision allowing spouses to be paid caregivers under MassHealth. Several witnesses shared personal caregiving experiences, and committee members responded favorably, noting the emotional and financial strain on caregivers and the importance of supporting them as Medicaid and long-term care systems face pressure. Additional bills discussed included H. 3174 on a child and dependent care tax credit, which was presented as a way to offset the high cost of child care; H. 3197/S. 2019 to improve the financial security of family child care providers through a tax credit; H. 3218/S. 1960 to create tax credits for health care preceptors to address workforce shortages; S. 2064 to establish a living organ donor tax credit; S. 2034 to promote healthy alternatives to sugary drinks through a tiered tax; H. 3015 to create a tax-return checkoff for the YMCA Youth and Government Program; and several public testimony ideas including vaccination, literacy, and grade-improvement tax credits. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing, which ended after all testimony was heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that causes a loss of income, and for the sake of our military spouses we'd like to mitigate that
• military spouses uh we'd like<00:42:01.839><c> to</c><00:42:02.319><c> mitigate</c><00:42:02.800><c>
• </c><00:46:15.680><c> In</c> veterans and military spouses. In veterans and military spouses.
• </c> Families, National Military Spouse Families, National Military Spouse Network,<00:46:26.640><c>
• spouse would want to quickly find employment when they move to their new state.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> or their spouse. or their spouse.
• </c> aggressively pursue surviving spouses aggressively pursue surviving spouses and<01:04:56.720><c>
• </c> exclusion and the surviving spouse exclusion and the surviving spouse homestead<01:05:23.119><c>
• the surviving spouse, and we help the adult children usually bury the surviving spouse.
• surviving spouse, and we help bury the surviving spouse, and we help the<01:36:34.719><c> adult</c><01

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting of the session with member introductions and a statement from the chair that veterans issues would remain distinct and receive separate attention. The first item was an update on the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley from Executive Director Randall Dietrich. He said the museum has operated for nearly 50 years, has outgrown its current space, and is building a new 40,000-square-foot facility with $32 million in state support plus several million more in private funding. He described construction progress, planned exhibits including restored military artifacts and the USS Ward gun, and said the museum is scheduled to open on September 12. In response to Senator Kunish, Dietrich said the museum is actively incorporating stories and flags representing women, tribal nations, and other underrepresented groups, including 11 tribal flags at the entrance, and is working to integrate those stories throughout the galleries rather than isolating them. The committee then received an update from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on the veterans suicide prevention plan from Rachel Johnson, Veterans Committee Health Director, with John Kelly later answering questions on department impacts. Johnson said the plan is a coordinated statewide framework built with legislative support, expanding regional coordinators, veteran health navigators, data analytics, and community partnerships, including a suicide mortality review pilot in Hennepin County. She said Minnesota loses about 100 veterans a year to suicide, that firearms remain the primary mechanism, and that prevention must address community connection, economic stability, and access to care, not just clinical treatment. She also said the plan aligns with state and federal strategies and is intended as a living roadmap. In response to questions, Johnson said the department is exploring data-sharing policy issues, has not seen a direct financial impact from federal VA staffing changes, and is tracking federal proposals affecting VA advisory groups. She also said 988 data is available in general but more Minnesota-specific data on the veteran option is still being gathered. Members asked follow-up questions about trends in veteran suicide, the role of families in identifying warning signs, and the Hennepin County mortality review pilot. Johnson said the annual number has remained around 100 for about 15 years, with a dip in 2024 and a return to that level in 2025, and that the Hennepin County pilot was chosen because it offers a manageable geography and existing coalition work, with an initial review expected by May or June. The final item began a presentation from the Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers. Legislative chair Larry Fonder said the group’s priorities are protecting veterans from fraud and modernizing the property tax benefit for disabled veterans, but the presentation would focus on educating the committee about the role, training, certification, and accountability of county veteran service officers. President Tom Anderson, the Winona County VSO and a Navy veteran, began describing his background and office staffing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, the first topic was we received a piece of correspondence from a surviving spouse for a LEOFF 2
• member whose spouse was killed in the line of duty, and this individual would like similar treatment
• And then on the surviving spouse issue, yes, I'm not sure that's another complicated issue.
• We make an election when we don't know about a surviving spouse.
• Okay, so related to surviving spouses for a line-of-duty death, you know...

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Summary: The executive committee approved the May minutes by roll call vote, then received an actuarial update from Sarah Baker of the State Actuary’s Office. Baker explained the office’s annual work, including the DRS pension actuarial evaluation, support for state financial reporting, cash flow analysis, a six-year pension contribution outlook, interim support for GIT and WAL CARES, and an upcoming actuarial evaluation of the volunteer firefighters pension plan. She also responded to questions about bills allowing members to transfer into PERS, noting that such transfers have historically increased PERS costs and that any added cost would be borne by PERS members and employers depending on bill structure and affected demographics. Kate Adams of the Attorney General’s office reported no new developments in the cases the committee is monitoring. She said the Dawson case is still in its early stages, with a judge assigned and a discovery plan due at the end of July. The committee asked for continued updates on that litigation. The committee then discussed interim work planning, focusing first on animal control officers’ eligibility for PERS and asking staff to continue researching definitions, comparable treatment in nearby states, and the cost and service-credit implications for affected employees. Members also discussed Plan 3 issues, including comparisons of Plan 2 and Plan 3 membership and data, and possible future briefing topics. The largest discussion centered on Plan 1 COLAs: members and retiree representatives debated whether to pursue a permanent COLA or an ad hoc COLA, and whether budget language should require future budget writers to consider a COLA. Retiree groups said they preferred a permanent COLA but were open to further discussion; staff was asked to continue work on possible language and policy options. The committee reviewed correspondence on four topics: Plan 1 COLA requests, a request to study LEOFF 2-style medical reimbursements for Washington State Patrol survivors, and a request to allow certain members to change survivor option elections after the federal Social Security Fairness Act. The committee agreed to bring the State Patrol medical reimbursement issue and the Social Security Fairness Act issue back for July, with staff to gather more information and provide an informational briefing. The July agenda was approved and includes the OSA annual update, the LEOFF 2 Board annual update, a PERS/TRS Plan 1 ad hoc COLA item, and the two survivor-related topics.

Transcript Highlights:

• He bought a house with his spouse right near the VA after he got back from Vietnam.
• He's worried about his spouse, what has happened to his home values, and just from having bought that
• um right near the house with his spouse um right near the VA<00:29:35.519><c> after</c><00:29:35.720
• about his spouse what has happened<00:29:53.399><c> to</c><00:29:53.559><c> his</c><00:29:53.720><c>
• You end up with surviving spouses moving from one county to the other.

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• increased the annual annuity for 100 percent disabled veterans, Gold Star parents, and Gold Star spouses
• Similarly, Senate Bill 2502 and House Bill 3853, An Act Ensuring Eligibility for Gold Star Spouses, which
• increased the annual annuity for 100 percent disabled veterans, Gold Star parents, and Gold Star spouses
• Similarly, Senate Bill 2502 and House Bill 3853, An Act Ensuring Eligibility for Gold Star Spouses, which
• important legislation repealed the language in Massachusetts General Laws that prevented Gold Star spouses

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held its fifth public hearing of the 2025-2026 session, chaired by Senator John Velis and Representative Joe McGonagle. The chairs said the hearing focused on legislation involving tax credits, annuities, and other financial benefits for veterans, service members, and military families. Senator Velis highlighted recent action on the HERO Act, which increased the annual annuity for 100 percent disabled veterans, Gold Star parents, and Gold Star spouses from $2,000 to $2,500, and noted that legislation to ensure eligibility for Gold Star spouses had been enacted and signed into law, removing a remarriage restriction on receiving the annuity. No members of the public had pre-registered or appeared to testify in person or virtually on the bills on the agenda. After confirming that no one was present to offer testimony, the committee briefly acknowledged attendance and then moved to adjourn. The motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• (3) NONPROFIT RETIREMENT COMMUNITY OPERATING ON A CAMPUS WITH HOUSING FOR ONLY VETERANS AND THEIR SPOUSES
• AND SURVIVING SPOUSES TO CREATE VETERAN AND SPOUSE DESIGNATED NURSING HOME BEDS IN SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES
• WE TAKE CARE OF SURVIVING SPOUSES AND MILITARY RETIREES IN A COMMUNITY OF SHALLIMAR WHICH IS FORT WALTON
• DOES MORE IN THE UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP FOR TRAINING, PROVIDING STIPENDS FOR VETERANS SPOUSES, THERE
• ARE SOME FEE RELEASE FOR VETERANS TOWARDS DRIVERS LICENSE AND OUR NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS AND SPOUSES