Florida Veteran Legislation Signed by Gov DeSantis on June 26, 2026

Three veteran related Bills that were signed by Governor DeSantis on June 26th 2026:

HB 0199 Veterans Affairs by Maney

06/12/2026 Approved by Governor; Chapter No. 2026-128
Veterans Affairs; Revises admissions process for veterans treatment court programs; authorizes court, in
consultation with multidisciplinary team, to determine eligibility for veterans treatment court programs; requires
court to consider recommendation of state attorney when making eligibility determination; authorizes sentencing
courts to divert defendants to veterans treatment court programs under certain circumstances; requires certain
notice be provided to defendants; provides for disposition of probation or community control violations by program
participants.

HB 0253 Veterans Dental Care Grant Program by Edmonds

06/25/2026 Approved by Governor
The bill expands eligibility for the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program established within the Florida Department of
Veterans’ Affairs. The bill effectively requires veterans to have an income of up to 400 percent of the federal
poverty level to be eligible for the program. The department set the current program eligibility to veterans with
incomes up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level by administrative rule.

SB 1602 Housing for Veterans by Wright

06/11/2026 Approved by Governor; Chapter No. 2026-125
The bill creates the “Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program” within the Florida Housing
Finance Corporation for Broward, Escambia, Hillsborough, and Santa Rosa counties. The bill directs the Florida
Housing Finance Corporation, in consultation with the local public housing authority and case managers assigned to
veterans by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, to establish and oversee the document requirements
and all processes of the pilot program.

https://www.flhouse.gov/sections/bills/bills.aspx

By Pat Green
Friends, Happy 250th Birthday to you!
I hope you have all received and read the special collaboration of Surviving Spouse topics of
interest that was sent to you. There is another quite lengthy booklet that is available to you on
the MOAA website. The publication is “The Day After Calls”.
When I needed this information, it had not yet been compiled. But a dear friend used it last
year, when her father-in-law died. Even though both she and her husband and father-in-law
are retired Army officers, she found it invaluable. It is lengthy, but might come in very handy.
Thinking about what to write about concerning Independence Day, I came across an
interesting book review “Founders in Sync” by Meghan Cox Gurdon, in the Wall Street
Journal. The book she reviewed is A PERFECT COINCIDENCE by Jim Rasenberger. It’s a
story of a very unlikely coincidence. Meghan describes the book as “a delight, a sparkling
work of narrative nonfiction that acquaints the reader with the thoughts and doings of two
giants of American democracy, while telling the story of the founding of our fractious country”.
The book is published by Scribner and 496 pages and makes the case for the Divine Hand in
the moving of American affairs,
Mr. Rasenberger writes of the on-off-on again friendship of Thomas Jefferson and John
Adams. They meet in Philadelphia in 1775 and collaborate on the Declaration of
Independence. Then they become Ambassadors and great friends. During a Presidential
campaign, their relationship crumbles. They are enemies for a decade. As their age
advances, they rediscover their friendship. Both die on the 50th anniversary of the
Declaration. Oddly, another great contributor to our freedom, James Monroe died on July 4,
1831, five years later. A coincidence?

Women Veterans are invited to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs  (FDVA) Women Veterans Summit, June 5–7, at The Westin Tampa Bay. This FREE event connects Women Veterans with leaders and community partners to provide resources for their ongoing success. Register and learn more:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fdva-women-veterans-summit-stronger-together-tickets-1982887001399?msockid=220f1ee1538862e10a6d09ff52e5639d

DETAILS:

FDVA Women Veterans Summit – Stronger Together

By Florida Department Of Veteran Affairs

Location:   The Westin Tampa BayTampa, FL 7627 West Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa, FL 33607

Friday June 5^th Foundations & Health

3:00 PM – 09:00 PM

Saturday – Purpose, Planning & Possibility

09:00 AM  – 04:00 PM

Overview

Get ready to connect, empower, and uplift at the FDVA Women Veterans Summit – Stronger Together!

Join us for a powerful, purpose-driven weekend designed exclusively for women veterans who are ready to take control of their next chapter—health, career, business, leadership, and life.

Summit will be held on the waterfront at beautiful and newly renovated The Westin Tampa Bay: address 7627 West Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa, FL 33607. This immersive summit brings together trusted experts, fellow women veterans, and community partners for honest conversations, practical guidance, and meaningful connection. This is not a conference where you sit and listen. This is where you learn, engage, plan, and leave with clarity.

Who Should Attend? Women veterans at any stage of transition -Women navigating VA benefits, healthcare, or life planning -Aspiring and established entrepreneurs -Career-focused women preparing for civilian roles -Leaders, advocates, and community builders -Spouses and supporters are welcome for select sessions.

Why Stronger Together? Because no woman veteran should have to navigate life after service alone. This summit was built by women veterans, for women veterans—grounded in real experience, trusted expertise, and the belief that when we come together, we are stronger, clearer, and more prepared for whatever comes next.

Agenda 

Friday June 5^th Foundations & Health

3:00 PM – 09:00 PM

 Friday: Foundations & Health * VA Claims 101 – Understand how to file a claim, what an “intent to file” means, how Nexus letters work, what to expect during exams, and realistic timelines. *Ask the Doc: Women’s Health by Life Stage – Direct access to healthcare professionals covering key health milestones from your 20s through menopause and beyond. *Welcome Reception – Hawaiian Luau – Wear your grass shirts, Hawaiian shirts and connect with fellow women veterans in a relaxed waterfront setting as we kick off the weekend together.

Saturday – Purpose, Planning & Possibility

09:00 AM  – 04:00 PM

Saturday:  Purpose, Planning & Possibility Opening Session & Keynote – Set the tone for a day focused on growth and direction. Operation Mindset – Learn how to translate military experience into confidence, clarity, and momentum for your next chapter. · Mission Forward – Strategic goal planning to help you move from intention to execution. Lunch & Pop-Up Market – Support veteran-owned businesses and community partners. Breakout Tracks – Choose the path that aligns with where you are now: Entrepreneurship – Before you form an LLC: business models, customer discovery, and problem-solution fit. Career Readiness – Resume alignment, job descriptions, and beating the keyword game. Leadership & Advocacy – Turn lived experience into leadership, influence, and impact. VA Education Benefits – Degrees, certifications, credentialing, and building a realistic education plan. Advanced Life Planning – Advance care planning, medical directives, survivor benefits, and honoring your wishes.

Flyer –

Hotel –