“Military” virtually always means active duty regulars, reserves, and National Guard service members. “Floor” means when the entire body (Senate and House of Representatives) meets in a scheduled session on the chamber floor of their respective bodies. “S” or “SB” means Senate Bill; “H” or “HB” means House Bill “SJ” means Senate Journal – the official record of Senate legislative activities. “Companion” means the bill in one body that is identical or similar to a bill in the other body. “Messages” means the actual transfer of a bill from one body to the other for consideration.  This occurs after a bill has been voted out of a body.  Every bill must be voted on in the same posture in both bodies in order for it to be sent to the Governor for his action.

2008

S 2546 - Interstate Compact Educational Opportunity for Military Children; removes educational barriers caused by frequent moves and deployment of military parents.  SB 2546 was laid on table; HB1203 was substituted for SB 2546.  HB1203 adopts the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. This compact was developed by the Council of State Governments (CSG) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to enable member states to uniformly address educational transition issues faced by military families. Posey supported this bill, and voted “YES” on the Floor. (4/29/08) (SJ 00940).

H 861 (S 1462) - Establishes a not-for-profit Direct-Support Organization for the Department of Veteran Affairs, solely to provide assistance to the Department’s activities. The DSO is exempt from corporate or other filing fees; The DSO must also be:

• organized and operated exclusively to obtain funds;
• request and receive grants, gifts, and bequests of moneys;
• acquire, receive, hold, invest, and administer in its own name securities, funds, or property;

Posey voted “YES” when the bill came to the Senate Floor (SJ 00708).  The Governor signed this bill into law 5/28/08.

H 863 - is a companion bill that protects the identity of a donor or prospective donor to the direct-support organization who desires to remain anonymous, as well as all identifying information of such donor or prospective donor. Posey voted “YES” when the bill came to the Senate Floor (SJ 00784).

S 2140 - Would have ensured the continuation of the Welfare Transition Trust Fund in the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) for funds collected from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant and used to assist military families. Posey voted “YES” on the Floor (SJ 00341). The bill went to the House where it died in Messages.

2007

SB 122 - Prohibits the courts from modifying child custody during time parent is activated, deployed, or temporarily assigned to military service, except for temporary changes made, in which case the original custody must be reinstated upon the service member parent’s return from military service. Posey filed this bill, which was signed into law by the Governor (06/15/07 Ch 2007-132).

SB 1026 - Codifies a constitutional amendment providing certain Florida veterans who have combat-related disabilities receive ad valorem discounts on homestead property tax. Posey supported this bill and voted YES on the Floor on 03/28/07 (SJ 00248). The bill went on to be signed into law by the Governor on 05/22/07. (Chapter No. 2007-36).

SB 156 - This bill adds Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom to the list of qualifying military campaigns or expeditions that would qualify veterans who have served honorably for wartime service veterans’ benefits. Posey voted YES in committee and on the Floor (4/18/07) (SJ 00428).  The bill was signed into law by the Governor on 05/22/07 (Chapter No. 2007-32).
 

SB 2042 (SB 1900) – Support Our Troops License Tag, the fees from which are to be used for the benefit of Florida troops and their families. his bill became part of SB1900, which also directs HSMV to develop & issue a “Gold Star” license plate honoring family members of service members who have been killed in action while serving in the Armed Forces of the U.S.  Posey voted YES to the bill (04/30/07 -SJ 00695) which was signed into law by the Governor (06/12/07) (Chapter No. 2007-103).

SB 116 - Prohibits the use of the name or image of a member of the armed forces for the purpose of trade or for any commercial or advertising without the service member’s permission, unless they have been deceased over 50 years. Posey Co-Sponsored this bill, which was signed into law by the Governor (06/19/07) (Chapter No. 2007-164).

SB 412 - Extends educational benefits, at State expense, to dependent children of Florida resident parents who have been declared prisoners of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA) since the Viet Nam era. Posey supported this bill and voted YES on the Floor (04/18/07) (SJ 00428). It was signed into law by the Governor (06/19/07) (Chapter No. 2007-168 ).

SB 1630 – Provides for the first $50,000, and 65% of the rest of the money collected annually from the sale of the USMC auto tag, to be distributed to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, Inc. The remaining fees are distributed to the State [retirement] Homes for Veterans Trust Fund. Posey supported this bill and voted YES on the floor (04/26/07) (SJ 00581). The bill was signed into law on by the Governor (5/22/07) (Chapter No. 2007-38 ).

S 2702 (HB 1381) - In part, requires the Department of Financial Services and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) to adopt rules to protect service members of the United States Armed Forces from dishonest and predatory insurance sales practices by insurers and agents involving the offer of life insurance products. Posey supported this bill and had it placed on the agenda for the Banking & Insurance Committee (voted YES).  He also voted YES on the Floor to HB 1381, which was substituted for SB 2702.  The bill was signed into law by the Governor (6/19/07) (Chapter No. 2007-199 ). 

HB 517 – Exempts active duty service of the Armed Forces, and their dependent spouses from the Financial Responsibility Law (providing an automobile liability insurance policy as proof of financial responsibility) while outside the state. Posey voted YES on the bill when it was taken up in the Senate (5/02/07) (SJ 00791). The bill was signed into law by the Governor on 5/22/07 (Chapter No. 2007-49).

SB 728 (HB 699) - Veteran’s Employment Preference [LPCC]; repeals provision re: expiration of veteran’s preference in public employment after the first hire. This bill will allow a veteran to continue to receive a veteran employment preference when competing for subsequent Florida public sector jobs after an initial hire. Posey supported this bill, voting YES in committee. HB 699 was substituted on the Floor and Posey voted YES (4/18/07) (SJ 00428). The bill was signed into law by the Governor (5/22/07) (Chapter No. 2007-51).

SB 1448 – Provides eligibility for families of a service member deployed to receive an award of up to $5,000 for emergencies, for up to 120 days after the deployed service member returns. Posey voted YES on the Floor (4/26/07) (SJ 00577). The bill was signed into law by the Governor on 6/19/07 (Chapter No. 2007-175).

2006

SB 194 (HJR 631) - This is the bill that resulted the constitutional amendment creating a Homestead Tax exemption for combat-related disabled WWII Veterans. Posey Co-Sponsored this bill and voted YES on the Floor to HB 631, which was substituted for it (05/02/06) (SJ 00751).

SB 1342 (HB 573) - Expands exemption from local government license and permit fees for a veteran making his/her home wheelchair accessible to any dwelling owned and occupied by the veteran. Posey Co-sponsored this bill and voted YES on HB 573, which was substituted for it (4/21/06) (SJ 00532). The bill was signed into law by the Governor (06/20/06) (Chapter No. 2006-250).

S 1370 - Authorizes director of the Department of Veterans Affairs to waive residency requirement for admittance to veterans’ nursing homes for evacuees from other states where a state of emergency had been declared by that state’s governor. Posey voted YES to this bill on the Floor (03/23/06) (SJ 00313). The Governor signed the bill into law (6/20/07) (Chapter No. 2006-239).

SB 1290 - Extends the time during which a person may renew his or her concealed weapon or firearm license if the person is serving on active military duty and participating in the Global War on Terrorism at the time the license expires. Posey voted YES when the bill came up on the Floor (04/06/06) (SJ 00389). The Governor signed the bill into law (06/07/06) (Chapter No. 2006-90).

SB 218 (HB 7127) - Provides a higher level of penalty than usual for disturbing the assembly, including a funeral, of individuals gathered for military honors to a fallen veteran. Posey Co-sponsored this bill and voted YES on the Floor for HB 7127 (5/2/06) (SJ 00754), which was substituted for it.  The bill was signed into law by the Governor (6/20/06) (Chapter No. 2006-264).

SB 568 (HB 285)  - Modifies and limits the authority of the Governor to seize, take, or confiscate anyone’s firearms, including those of members of the Armed Services, in event of an emergency beyond local control to situations in which the individual is engaged in the commission of a criminal act. Posey introduced (sponsored) this bill and voted YES on the Floor to its companion, HB 285, which was substituted for it (4/4/06) (SJ 01038). The bill was signed into law by the Governor (6/7/06) (Chapter No. 2006-100).

SB 122 - Requires state universities & community colleges to waive tuition for Armed Forces service members who are recipients of the Purple Heart or other combat decorations superior in precedence to the Purple Heart, who fulfill specified criteria. Posey voted YES on this bill on the Floor (3/23/06) (SJ 00314).  The bill was signed into law by the Governor (6/20/06) (Chapter No. 2006-233).

SB 2034 - Extends state-sponsored educational benefits currently available only to the children of deceased or disabled veterans, to the spouses of such veterans, as well. Posey supported this bill and voted YES on the Floor (4/20/06) (SJ 00482).  The Governor signed the bill into law (6/20/06) (Chapter No. 2006-244).

HB 7087 - Contains provisions permitting the Commissioner of Education to award a standard high school diploma to honorably discharged veterans who were scheduled to graduate from high school between 1941 and 1950, prior to completing the necessary high school graduation requirements, but were inducted into the Armed Forces between September 1940 and January 1947 and a similar provision applying to those inducted between June 1950 and February 1955 who served in the Korean Conflict. Posey voted YES on this bill when it came to the Senate Floor (5/4/06) (SJ 00987).  This bill was signed into law by the Governor (6/5/06) (Chapter No. 2006-74).

2005

HB 1189 – Removes the requirement of Florida’s “Scholarships for Children of Deceased or Disabled Veterans” (CDDV) program by removing the requirement that the deceased or disabled parents of dependent children applying for the CDDV had to have been a Florida resident at the time that they entered the Armed Forces. It also reduces the Florida residency requirements from 5 years to 1 year. Posey voted YES to this bill when it came up on the Senate Floor (5/5/05) (SJ 01103).  The bill was signed into law by the Governor (6/1/05) (Chapter No. 2005-127).

SB 1592 (HB 1069) -  Directs the Department of Military Affairs to provide life insurance coverage for members of the Florida National Guard (FNG) and to assume responsibility for payment of premiums for such life insurance. Additionally, the CS establishes a state Family Readiness Program to provide need-based financial assistance to families of FNG members who are on active duty. Posey Co-sponsored this bill and voted YES to HB 1069, a House companion, which was substituted for it in the Senate (5/2/05) (SJ 00757).  The Governor signed the bill into law (5/25/05) (Chapter No. 2005-51).

SB 550 - Grants a property tax exemption to the un-remarried surviving spouse of a disabled ex-service member who, on the date of the disabled ex-service member’s death, had been married to the disabled ex-service member for at least 5 years. Posey Co-sponsored this bill and voted YES in committee and on the Floor (4/28/05) (SJ 00659).  The Governor signed the bill into law (5/24/05) (Chapter No. 2005-42).

HB 395 - Creates a new sportsman’s license, named the annual military gold sportsman’s license. The license provides the same authorizations as the current annual gold sportsman’s license at a reduced cost of 25% of the same license paid by the general public. Posey voted YES on this bill when received by the Senate (5/6/05) (SJ 01322).  The bill was signed into law by the Governor (5/24/05) (Chapter No. 2005-45).

SB 450 -  Creates an unfair or deceptive trade practice provision under the Insurance Code which would prohibit auto insurers from imposing premium increases (for reinstating a motor vehicle insurance policy that was cancelled or suspended by the insured solely for the reason that he or she was transferred out of this state while serving in the United States Armed Forces or on active duty in the National Guard or United States Armed Forces Reserve) on persons in the military & their covered dependents. Posey voted YES on this bill in committee and on the Floor (4/7/05) (SJ 00363). The Governor signed the bill into law (5/24/05) (Chapter No. 2005-41).

HB 691 - Directs the Agency for Workforce Innovation to establish the Citizen Soldier Matching Grants Program. The program would provide matching grants, in the form of reimbursements, to Florida private-sector employers that pay wages to their employees who are Florida residents serving on federal active duty in the United States Armed Forces Reserves or the Florida National Guard for active duty served after January 1, 2005. Posey voted YES on this bill when it came to the Senate (5/4/07) (SJ 01062).  The bill was signed into law by the Governor (5/24/05) (Chapter No. 2005-48).

SB 868 -  Authorizes the Department of Transportation (FDOT) to contract with groups or organizations for the installation and maintenance of plaques, markers, monuments, memorials, or various retired military equipment honoring the military and veterans at interstate rest stops in Florida. Posey voted YES on the Floor (4/7/05) (SJ 00363). The bill was signed into law by the Governor (5/24/05) (Chapter No. 2005-43).

2004

SB 1604 –  Provisions included in this omnibus collection of bills create: the Office of Military and State Relations within the Executive Office of the Governor, the purpose of which is to help formulate and implement strategies to protect military installations in the state from closure or realignment; and a Defense Infrastructure Grant Program, which revises requirements re: scholarships for children of deceased veterans and revises eligibility requirements for military dependents applying for John M. McKay Scholarships. Posey voted YES on the Floor (4/27/04) (SJ 01041). The bill was signed into law by the Governor.

SB 1096 - Amends certain prerequisites to allow the award of a standard high school diploma to honorably discharged veterans of Korean War who did not complete necessary graduation requirements. Posey voted YES on Floor (3/4/04) (SJ 00210). The bill was signed into law by the Governor.

 

2003

SB 1098 - Creates “Florida Uniformed Service Members Protection Act” to address some of those situations unique to today’s military men and women. This act:

• Prohibits discriminations when renting to military personnel;
• Provides for the early termination of residential rental agreements under certain circumstances without penalty;
• Clarifies and expands pay and leave of absence provisions for active military service;
• Provides for 100 percent refund of auto insurance when a member is relocated or called to active duty;
• Provides for the cancellation of a retail installment contract for leasing an automobile when a member is transferred outside the continental United States; and
• Extends the eligibility for, and use of, scholarship programs under the Florida Bright Futures program based on military service.

Posey supported this bill and voted YES on the Floor (5/2/03) (SJ 01125). The bill was signed into law by the Governor (6/2/03).

SB 482 – Similar to SB 1098 in that it eliminates statutory provisions that require the payment of liquidated damages to a landlord for early termination of a rental agreement when a member of the United States Armed Forces is required to move pursuant to change of station orders. Posey voted YES on the Floor (3/26/03) (SJ 00262).  The bill was signed into law by the Governor (5/23/03).