MILITARY AFFAIRS

F.S. Ch. 250

in effect

F.S. 250.01 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the term: (1) “Active duty” means full-time duty in active military service of the United States. The term includes federal duty such as full-time training, annual training, and attendance while a person is in active military service or in a school designated as a service school by law or by the secretary of the applicable military department. The term does not mean full-time duty in the National Guard. The term shall also include the period during which a person in active military service is absent from duty as a result of illness, being wounded, being on leave, or other lawful cause. (2) “Air National Guard” means that part of the National Guard of a state or territory of the United States, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia, active or inactive, which is: (a) An air force; (b) Trained, and has its officers appointed, under the United States Constitution; (c) Organized, armed, and equipped wholly or partially at federal expense; and (d) Federally recognized. (3) “Air National Guard of the United States” means the reserve component of the Air Force, the membership of which consists of members of the Air National Guard. (4) “Armed forces” means the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard. (5) “Armory” means a building or group of buildings used primarily for housing and training troops or for storing military property, supplies, or records. (6) “Army National Guard” means that part of the National Guard of a state or territory of the United States, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia, active or inactive, which is: (a) A land force; (b) Trained, and has its officers appointed, under the United States Constitution; (c) Organized, armed, and equipped wholly or partially at federal expense; and (d) Federally recognized. (7) “Army National Guard of the United States” means the reserve component of the Army, the membership of which consists of members of the Army National Guard. (8) “Convening authority” means a commissioned officer in command and his or her successors in command. (9) “Enlisted personnel” means persons enlisted, inducted, called, or conscripted into an armed force in an enlisted grade. (10) “Grade” means a step or degree in a graduated scale of office or military rank which is established and designated as a grade by law or rule. (11) “Military judge” means the presiding officer of a general or special court-martial. Except as otherwise expressly provided, in the context of a summary court-martial, the term “military judge” includes the summary court-martial officer. (12) “Military post” means an armory, facility, installation, or real property under the supervision or control of the Armory Board which is used primarily for housing and training troops; performing administrative duties; or storing military property, supplies, or records. (13) “National Guard” means the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. (14) “National Guard Bureau” means the joint Bureau of the Department of the Army and the Department of the Air Force within the Department of Defense, as defined in 10 U.S.C. s. 10501. (15) “Offense” means a criminal charge under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. (16) “Officer” means a commissioned officer or warrant officer. (17) “Rank” means the order of precedence among members of the armed forces. (18) “Post commander” means the officer in charge of a military post or training site, a National Guard armory, or a portion of a National Guard armory when colocated in an Armed Forces Reserve Center. (19) “Servicemember” means any person serving as a member of the United States Armed Forces on active duty or state active duty and all members of the Florida National Guard and United States Reserve Forces. (20) “SCRA” means the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, Title 50, Appendix U.S.C. ss. 501 et seq. (21) “State active duty” means full-time duty in active military service of the State of Florida when ordered by the Governor or Adjutant General in accordance with s. 250.06, s. 250.10, or s. 250.28 to preserve the public peace, execute the laws of the state, suppress insurrection, repel invasion, enhance security and respond to terrorist threats or attacks, respond to an emergency as defined in s. 252.34 or to imminent danger of an emergency, enforce the law, carry out counter-drug operations, provide training, provide for the security of the rights or lives of the public, protect property, or conduct ceremonies. The term includes the duties of officers or enlisted personnel who are employed under the order of the Governor in recruiting; making tours of instruction; inspecting troops, armories, storehouses, campsites, rifle ranges, or military property; sitting on general or special courts-martial, boards of examination, courts of inquiry, or boards of officers; or making or assisting in physical examinations. The term shall also include the period during which a person in active military service is absent from duty as a result of illness, being wounded, being on leave, or other lawful cause. (22) “Troops” includes personnel of the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. (23) “USERRA” means the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, chapter 43 of Title 38 U.S.C.

F.S. 250.02 Militia.

(1) The militia consists of all able-bodied citizens of this state and all other able-bodied persons who have declared their intention to become citizens. (2) The organized militia is composed of the National Guard and any other organized military forces that are authorized by law. (3) The unorganized militia is composed of all persons who are subject to military duty but who are not members of units of the organized militia. (4) Only persons exempt from military duty by the terms of federal law are exempt from military duty in this state.

F.S. 250.03 Military law of the state.

Federal laws that relate to the Florida National Guard, and that are not inconsistent with the State Constitution or state law, are part of the military laws of the state. The Governor of Florida, as commander in chief, may perform all acts to raise and keep the Florida National Guard at the standard required by the laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the Secretary of Defense governing the National Guard.

F.S. 250.04 Naval militia; marine corps.

The Governor may organize a naval militia and a marine corps in accordance with federal law governing the Naval Militia or Marine Corps of the United States and regulations issued by the Secretary of the Navy for the governing of the United States Navy, Naval Militia, and Marine Corps.

F.S. 250.05 Department of Military Affairs.

(1) The agency of the state government heretofore known as the Military Department shall henceforth be known as the Department of Military Affairs, which shall be organized as provided in the laws of this state. (2) “Military personnel of the Department of Military Affairs” includes any person who is required to wear a military uniform in performing his or her official duties and who is required to serve in the Florida National Guard as a condition of his or her employment by the department. (3) The head of the Department of Military Affairs is the Adjutant General.

F.S. 250.06 Commander in chief.

(1) The Governor of Florida is the commander in chief of all the militia of the state. (2) The Governor of Florida, as commander in chief, may alter, increase, divide, annex, consolidate, disband, organize, or reorganize an organization, department, corps, or staff, so as to conform as far as practicable to any organization, system, drill, instruction, corps or staff, uniform or equipment, or period of enlistment prescribed by the laws of the United States and the rules and regulations adopted by the Department of Defense for the organization, armament, training, and discipline of the National Guard. (3) The Governor may, in order to preserve the public peace, execute the laws of the state, suppress insurrection, repel invasion, respond to an emergency as defined in s. 252.34 or imminent danger thereof, or, in case of the calling of all or any portion of the militia of this state into the services of the United States, may increase the Florida National Guard and organize it in accordance with rules and regulations governing the Armed Forces of the United States. Such organization and increase may be pursuant to or in advance of any call made by the President of the United States. If the Florida National Guard is activated into service of the United States, another organization may not be designated as the Florida National Guard. (4) The Governor may, in order to preserve the public peace, execute the laws of the state, enhance domestic security, respond to terrorist threats or attacks, respond to an emergency as defined in s. 252.34 or imminent danger thereof, or respond to any need for emergency aid to civil authorities as specified in s. 250.28, order into state active duty all or any part of the militia which he or she deems proper. (5) The Governor may authorize all or any part of the Florida National Guard to participate in any parade, review, inspection, ceremony, or other public exercise; to serve for escort duty; to participate in training; to provide extraordinary support to law enforcement upon request; and to provide humanitarian relief in situations for which it is uniquely qualified. Such expenses incidental thereto and authorized by the Governor may be paid as provided for state active duty. (6) The Governor may delegate the authority to convene a general court-martial to the Adjutant General.

F.S. 250.07 Florida National Guard; composition; departmental organization.

(1) The Florida National Guard shall consist of enlisted personnel, commissioned officers, and warrant officers who are citizens of the United States, or who have declared their intention to become citizens of the United States, organized, armed, equipped, and federally recognized, in accordance with the laws of the state and the laws and regulations of the Department of the Army and the Department of the Air Force. The Florida National Guard shall include separate components for the Army and Air Force. (2) All general officers of the Florida National Guard must be federally recognized and appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

F.S. 250.08 Florida National Guard organized.

The Governor of Florida may perform all acts, as he or she considers necessary to organize or reorganize the Florida National Guard, in conformity to federal law and the rules, regulations, and proclamations of the President of the United States or the Department of Defense relating to the National Guard of this state or the United States.

F.S. 250.09 Appropriations, property, and equipment.

The Governor of Florida may take all necessary steps to obtain all appropriations, property, and equipment provided by the United States or authorized by law for the use, aid, equipment, benefit, or instruction of the Florida National Guard.

F.S. 250.10 Appointment and duties of the Adjutant General.

(1) In case of a vacancy, the Governor shall, subject to confirmation by the Senate, appoint a federally recognized officer of the Florida National Guard, who has served in the Florida National Guard for at least 5 of the last 10 years and attained the rank of colonel or higher, to be the Adjutant General of the state with the rank of not less than brigadier general or such higher rank as authorized by applicable tables of organization of the Department of the Army or the Department of the Air Force. The Adjutant General and all other military personnel of the Florida National Guard on full-time military duty with the Department of Military Affairs, except military police and firefighters, who are paid from state funds shall receive the pay and allowances of their respective grade as prescribed by applicable pay tables of the national military establishment for similar grade and period of service of personnel, unless a different rate of pay and allowances is specified in an appropriation act of the Legislature. An officer, with his or her consent, may be ordered to state active duty for administrative duty with the Department of Military Affairs at a grade lower than the officer currently holds. (2) The Adjutant General shall: (a) Serve as the Commanding General of the state’s organized militia. (b) Supervise the receipt, preservation, repair, distribution, issue, and collection of all arms and military equipment of the state. (c) Supervise all troops and branches of the Florida National Guard, including their organization, armament, discipline, training, recruiting, inspection, instruction, pay, subsistence, and supplies. (d) Maintain records of all military personnel of the Florida National Guard, and maintain copies of all orders, reports, and communications received and issued by him or her. (e) Cause the law and orders relating to the Florida National Guard to be indexed, printed, and bound, and prepare and publish blank books, forms, and stationery when necessary, and furnish them at the expense of the state. (f)1. Prepare and publish by order of the Governor orders, rules, and regulations, consistent with law, to bring the organization, armament, equipment, training, and discipline of the Florida National Guard to a state of efficiency as near as possible to that of the regular United States Army and Air Force, and the Adjutant General shall attest all orders of the commander in chief relating to the Florida National Guard. 2. Establish by directive an organized and supervised physical fitness program for military personnel of the Department of Military Affairs, provided that the program does not exceed 1 hour per day, for a maximum of 3 hours per week, and originates and terminates at the normal worksite. All fees, membership dues, equipment, and clothing relating to such physical fitness program shall be at no cost to the state. Administrative leave, not to exceed 3 hours per week, shall be provided by the department to all personnel authorized to participate in the physical fitness program. 3. Establish by directive a post exchange store for members of the Florida National Guard, their families, guests, and other authorized users. The post exchange store shall be located at the Camp Blanding Training Site. The primary purpose of the store is to provide for the morale, recreation, and welfare of all servicemembers training at the Camp Blanding Training Site. The operation of the post exchange store must be in accordance with state and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Profits of the post exchange store, if any, shall be deposited in the Camp Blanding Management Trust Fund and shall be used to enhance the facilities and services provided by the Camp Blanding Training Site. The Adjutant General may establish an account with a federally insured financial institution in the state to facilitate the operations of the post exchange store. (g) Prepare reports required by the Secretary of Defense. (h) Perform other duties required of the Adjutant General by the commander in chief. (i) Employ personnel as necessary for the proper conduct of the Department of Military Affairs. The Adjutant General may accept personnel provided by the Federal Government. (j) Establish and maintain as part of the Adjutant General’s office a repository of records of the services of Florida troops during all wars, and be the custodian of all records, relics, trophies, colors, and histories relating to such wars which are possessed or acquired by the state. (k) Maintain a seal of office, approved by the commander in chief, and all copies of papers in his or her office, duly certified and authenticated under the seal, are admissible in evidence in all cases in like manner as if the original were produced. (l) Provide, upon request, a summary to the Governor on the number and condition of the Florida National Guard and the number and condition of the arms and property in the custody of the state, and transmit to the Governor at that time a detailed report of all funds and moneys received and disbursed by the Department of Military Affairs. The Adjutant General may also recommend needed legislation as he or she deems proper. (m) Subject to annual appropriations, administer youth About Face programs and adult Forward March programs at sites to be selected by the Adjutant General. Both programs must provide schoolwork assistance, focusing on the skills needed to master basic high school competencies and functional life skills, including teaching students to work effectively in groups; providing basic instruction in computer skills; teaching basic problem-solving, decisionmaking, and reasoning skills; teaching how the business world and free enterprise work through computer simulations; and teaching home finance and budgeting and other daily living skills. 1. About Face is a summer and year-round after-school life-preparation program for economically disadvantaged and at-risk youths from 13 through 17 years of age. The program must provide training in academic study skills, and the basic skills that businesses require for employment consideration. 2. Forward March is a job-readiness program for economically disadvantaged participants who are directed to Forward March by the local workforce development boards. The Forward March program shall provide training on topics that directly relate to the skills required for real-world success. The program shall emphasize functional life skills, computer literacy, interpersonal relationships, critical-thinking skills, business skills, preemployment and work maturity skills, job-search skills, exploring careers activities, how to be a successful and effective employee, and some job-specific skills. The program also shall provide extensive opportunities for participants to practice generic job skills in a supervised work setting. Upon completion of the program, Forward March shall return participants to the local workforce development boards for placement in a job placement pool. (n) Order troops to state active duty for training, subject to approved appropriations or grants. (o) Issue decorations and awards pursuant to military regulations and instructions. (3) The Adjutant General shall furnish suitable buildings for conducting the business of the Department of Military Affairs and for the proper storage, repair, and issuance of military property. (4)(a) The Adjutant General shall, subject to confirmation by the Senate, employ a federally recognized officer of the Florida National Guard, who has served in the Florida Army Guard for at least 3 years and attained the rank of colonel or higher at the time of appointment, to be the Assistant Adjutant General for Army. (b) The Adjutant General may, subject to confirmation by the Senate, employ an additional, federally recognized officer of the Florida National Guard, who has served in the Florida Army Guard for at least 3 years and attained the rank of colonel or higher at the time of appointment, to be a second Assistant Adjutant General for Army. Each officer shall perform the duties required by the Adjutant General. (5) The Adjutant General shall, subject to confirmation by the Senate, employ a federally recognized officer of the Florida National Guard, who has served in the Florida Air Guard for at least 3 years and attained the rank of colonel or higher at the time of appointment, to be the Assistant Adjutant General for Air. The officer shall perform the duties required by the Adjutant General. (6) The Adjutant General shall employ a federally recognized officer of the Florida National Guard as the state quartermaster who, under the direction of the Adjutant General, shall account for all funds accruing to the Department of Military Affairs; shall receive, preserve, repair, issue, distribute, and account for all Department of Military Affairs property, including real estate pertaining to the State Armory Board; and may construct, maintain, improve, and repair facilities pertaining to the Department of Military Affairs and the armory board. The state quartermaster shall be the recorder of the armory board and perform any other duties required of him or her by the Adjutant General. (7) The Adjutant General shall develop an education assistance program for members in good standing of the Florida National Guard who enroll in an authorized course of study at a public or nonpublic postsecondary institution or technical center in the state which has been accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education or licensed by the Commission for Independent Education. Education assistance also may be used for training to obtain industry certifications approved by the Department of Education pursuant to s. 1008.44 and continuing education to maintain license certifications. The education assistance program shall be known as the Educational Dollars for Duty program (EDD). (a) The program shall establish application requirements, including, but not limited to, requirements that the applicant: 1. Be 17 years of age or older. 2. Be presently domiciled in the state. 3. Be an active drilling member and in good standing in the Florida National Guard at the beginning of and throughout the entire academic term for which benefits are received. 4. Maintain continuous satisfactory participation in the Florida National Guard for the school term for which benefits are received. 5. Upon enrollment in the program, complete a memorandum of agreement to: a. Comply with the rules of the program. b. Serve in the Florida National Guard for the period specified in the member’s enlistment or reenlistment contract. c. Authorize the release of information pursuant to subparagraph (d)6. by the postsecondary institution or technical center to the education service office of the Department of Military Affairs, subject to applicable federal and state law. (b) The program shall define those members of the Florida National Guard who are ineligible to participate in the program and those courses of study which are not authorized for the program. 1. Ineligible members include, but are not limited to, a member, commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted person who has obtained a master’s degree using the program. 2. Inactive members of the Florida National Guard and members of the Individual Ready Reserve are not eligible to participate in the program. 3. Courses not authorized include noncredit courses, courses that do not meet degree requirements, courses that do not meet requirements for completion of career training, or other courses as determined by program definitions. 4. The program may not pay repeat course fees. (c) The program may include, but is not limited to: 1. Courses at a public or nonpublic postsecondary institution or technical center in the state which is accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education or licensed by the Commission for Independent Education. 2. Training to obtain industry certifications, limited to certifications approved by the Department of Education under s. 1008.44. 3. Continuing education to maintain a license or certification. Notwithstanding subparagraph (b)1., members who have obtained a master’s degree using the program are eligible for funding under this subparagraph. 4. Licensing and industry certification examination fees. Notwithstanding subparagraph (b)1., members who have obtained a master’s degree using the program are eligible for funding under this subparagraph. 5. Notwithstanding subparagraph (b)3., developmental educational courses. (d) The Adjutant General shall adopt rules for the overall policy, guidance, administration, implementation, and proper use of the program. Such rules must include, but need not be limited to: 1. Guidelines for certification by the Adjutant General of a guard member’s eligibility. 2. Procedures for notification to a postsecondary institution or technical center of a guard member’s termination of eligibility. 3. Guidelines for approving courses of study that are authorized for the program, including online courses, industry certification training, and continuing education to maintain license certifications. 4. Guidelines for approving the use of program funds for licensing and industry certification examination fees. 5. Procedures for restitution when a guard member fails to comply with the penalties described in this section. 6. Procedures that require a public or nonpublic postsecondary institution or technical center that receives funding from the program to provide information regarding course enrollment, course withdrawal, course cancellation, course completion, course failure, and grade verification of enrolled members to the education service office of the Department of Military Affairs. 7. Guidelines for the payment of tuition and fees, not to exceed the highest in-state tuition rate charged by a public postsecondary institution in the state. (8) Subject to appropriations, the Department of Military Affairs may pay the full cost of tuition and fees for required courses for current members of the Florida National Guard. Members are eligible to use the program upon enlistment in the Florida National Guard. If a member is enrolled in a nonpublic postsecondary education institution or a nonpublic vocational-technical program, the Department of Military Affairs shall pay an amount that may not exceed the rate of the highest in-state tuition and fees at a public postsecondary education institution or public vocational-technical program. (a) The Adjutant General shall give preference and priority to eligible members who have deployed on federal military orders while a member of the Florida National Guard. (b) The Department of Military Affairs may reimburse a member for student textbook and instructional material costs in accordance with limits set each fiscal year based on funding availability and regardless of the source of tuition funding, but only after tuition and fees for all eligible members are paid for that fiscal year. (c) Penalties for noncompliance with program requirements include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. If a member of the Florida National Guard receives payment of tuition and fees for an academic term and fails to maintain satisfactory participation in the Florida National Guard during that academic term, the member shall reimburse the Department of Military Affairs all tuition charges and student fees for the academic term for which the member received payment. 2. If a member of the Florida National Guard leaves the Florida National Guard during the period specified in the member’s enlistment or reenlistment contract, the member shall reimburse the Department of Military Affairs all tuition charges and student fees for which the member received payments, regardless of whether the obligation to reimburse the department was incurred before, on, or after July 1, 2009, unless the Adjutant General finds that there are justifiable extenuating circumstances. 3. If the service of a member of the Florida National Guard is terminated or the member is placed on scholastic probation while receiving payments, the member shall reimburse the Department of Military Affairs all tuition charges and student fees for the academic term for which the member received payment. 4. If a member defaults on any reimbursement made under this paragraph, the department may charge the member the maximum interest rate authorized by law.

F.S. 250.12 Appointment of commissioned and warrant officers.

The appointment of commissioned officers and warrant officers shall conform in number, rank, and designation, and shall be based upon and made in conformity with tables of organization for the National Guard as prescribed in National Guard regulations published by the National Guard Bureau. The appointees shall hold their appointments subject to continuance of federal recognition, or attainment of age 64 years, unless relieved by reason of resignation or disability or for a cause to be determined by a court-martial or efficiency board, legally convened for that purpose. Vacancies shall, when practicable, be filled by appointment from personnel of the Florida National Guard.

F.S. 250.16 Authority to incur charge against state.

An officer of the militia or Florida National Guard may not make any purchases or enter into any contract or agreement for purchases or services as a charge against the state without the authority of the Adjutant General.

F.S. 250.18 Commissioned officers and warrant officers; clothing and uniform allowance.

Each commissioned officer and warrant officer of the Florida National Guard must provide his or her own uniform, as prescribed under Department of the Army and Department of the Air Force regulations for commissioned or warrant officers of the National Guard or officers of the Army or Air Force of the United States, of like grade and office.

F.S. 250.19 Expenses for travel on military business.

Any officer or enlisted person of the Florida National Guard, traveling on military business not with troops, in obedience to the orders of the Governor, must be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of such duties as prescribed by law for state officers and employees.

F.S. 250.20 Armory operations; allowances.

(1) A monetary allowance shall be paid quarterly to the post commander of each Florida National Guard armory from funds appropriated to the Department of Military Affairs, upon the approval of the Adjutant General, based on a calculation of need determined by the Adjutant General, exclusive of any space utilized and maintained by a federally funded activity of the Florida National Guard. The allowance shall cover costs for the operation, maintenance, and repair of the armory facilities. The amount of the allowance shall be computed by the Adjutant General as of June 30 of each year for purposes of determining the total amounts payable for inclusion in his or her budget request to the Legislature. (2) Payment of all allowances authorized under this section are subject to rules prescribed by the Adjutant General, and all moneys paid are public moneys and must be accounted for as prescribed by rules. All funds must be deposited into a federal depository approved by the Department of Military Affairs. (3) If an insufficient appropriation is made to the Department of Military Affairs to pay the allowances set forth in subsection (1), or if for other sufficient reason the amounts require redistribution among the National Guard armories, the amount to be paid to such armories shall be adjusted as administratively determined by the Adjutant General. Each post commander is responsible for the proper receipt and distribution of the post armory operations allowance, as directed by the Department of Military Affairs.

F.S. 250.22 Retirement.

(1) Any person who is at least 62 years of age and who has completed not less than 30 years of service as an officer or enlisted person in the Florida National Guard (exclusive of time served on the inactive or retired lists) on, before, or subsequent to the passage of this section is eligible upon application, whether on the active or retired list of the Florida National Guard, to be retired under the provisions of this section at the highest rank attained while serving in the Florida National Guard or the federal military forces, and shall receive pay in an amount equal to one-half of the base pay as is now or hereafter may be prescribed in the applicable pay tables for similar grades and periods of service of personnel in the United States Army or Air Force; provided that, in computing service in the Florida National Guard, service in federal military forces during a period of war or upon order of the President of the United States, in any military duty, where the applicant has been inducted from the Florida National Guard shall be included; and provided further that, in computing such service performed after July 1, 1955, only federally recognized service shall be included. Eligibility for retirement under this section is in addition to any other retirement that such person is eligible to receive; provided, however, that retirement pay under this section shall be reduced by any amount of retirement pay, pension, or compensation which such person is eligible to receive from the Federal Government for military service. (2) Any person who is at least 60 years of age (but less than 62 years of age) and is otherwise qualified to receive the retirement pay provided in subsection (1) may elect to retire and thereafter receive a reduced benefit which would be the actuarial equivalent of the person’s benefit under subsection (1). (3) Sufficient money to meet the requirements of this section is hereby appropriated out of any moneys in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated, and payments under this section will be made to those eligible to receive the same on the first day of each calendar month from the General Revenue Fund by the Chief Financial Officer upon prescribed pay vouchers certified to by the Adjutant General of the state. (4) In computing time of service of an officer or enlisted person in the Florida National Guard for purposes of retirement under this section, service in federal military forces during the period from August 27, 1940, to December 31, 1946, from June 29, 1950, to January 31, 1955, from August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975, and from August 1, 1990, to September 1, 1991, all dates inclusive, when inducted into such federal service from the Florida National Guard, shall be included at double the time of actual service. (5) Upon the death of any person receiving monthly benefits under this section, the monthly benefits shall be paid through the last day of the month of death and shall terminate on that date. (6) All powers, duties, and functions related to the administration of this section are vested in the Department of Management Services.

F.S. 250.23 Pay for state active duty.

(1) Officers and enlisted personnel of the Florida National Guard, when ordered to state active duty shall receive the pay and allowance prescribed in the applicable pay tables for similar grades and periods of service of personnel in the United States Army or Air Force. All personnel shall be provided subsistence in kind or commutation therefor in the amount prescribed by the Adjutant General. (2) Enlisted personnel of the Florida National Guard who are ordered to state active duty shall be paid $20 per day in addition to any other compensation provided.

F.S. 250.24 Pay and expenses; appropriation; procedures.

(1) The pay and expenses of troops ordered to state active duty shall be paid from any appropriation for preserving the public peace or from the pay and expenses of troops ordered out in aid of civil authorities. Payments shall be made upon prescribed forms of payrolls and vouchers, accompanied by copies of the order under which troops were acting, certified by the Adjutant General and approved by the Governor. In those instances where the payment will be made from the Department of Military Affairs annual appropriation, the payroll need not be approved by the Governor. The Adjutant General shall be the sole authority of pay for state active duty. (2) An estimated cost for pay, allowances, and expenses shall be calculated by the Adjutant General as soon as possible after the troops are ordered to state active duty; and the Adjutant General shall request a release of moneys for such purpose. (3) Notwithstanding s. 216.271, moneys for pay and allowances of the troops ordered to state active duty shall be deposited in the Emergency Response Trust Fund, which must be approved by the Chief Financial Officer and is subject to s. 17.58(2). The Department of Military Affairs shall administer the fund. Frequency of payments to such troops shall be at the discretion of the Adjutant General. The Department of Military Affairs shall present to the Chief Financial Officer audit documentation of such payments. The Department of Military Affairs shall maintain all employee records relating to payments made pursuant to this subsection and shall furnish to the Chief Financial Officer the information necessary to update the payroll master record of each employee. (4) The fund balance remaining in the Emergency Response Trust Fund after a final accounting of all expenditures for pay and allowances of the troops shall be returned for deposit to the State Treasury within 45 days after the termination of state active duty of the troops, except that an operating balance in an amount mutually agreed upon by the Chief Financial Officer and the Department of Military Affairs shall be retained in the fund. (5) Vouchers for expenditures other than such pay and allowances shall be presented to the Chief Financial Officer for approval and payment as prescribed by law.

F.S. 250.25 Governor and Chief Financial Officer authorized to borrow money.

When a state appropriation is not available for the pay and expenses of troops called to state active duty to preserve the peace or in aid of civil authorities, and funds are not immediately available for this purpose, the Governor and Chief Financial Officer may borrow money to make such payments, in the sum required, and any such loans shall be promptly repaid out of the first funds that become available for that use.

F.S. 250.26 Transfer of funds.

Where the available funds are not sufficient for the purposes specified in ss. 250.23, 250.24, and 250.34, the Governor and Chief Financial Officer may transfer from any available fund in the State Treasury the sum necessary to meet the emergency, and the moneys must be repaid to the fund from which transferred when moneys become available for that purpose by legislative appropriation or otherwise.

F.S. 250.28 Military support to civil authorities.

When an invasion or insurrection in the state is made or threatened, or whenever there exists a threat to security, a terrorist threat or attack, a riot, a mob, an unlawful assembly, a breach of the peace, or resistance to the execution of the laws of the state, or imminent danger thereof, which civil authorities are unable to suppress, the Governor, or in case the Governor cannot be reached and the emergency will not permit awaiting his or her orders, the successor as provided in s. 14.055, or, if the appropriate successor cannot be reached and the emergency will not permit awaiting his or her orders, the Adjutant General, shall issue an order to the officer in command of the body of troops best suited for the duty for which a military force is required, directing the officer to proceed with the troops, or as many as necessary, with all possible promptness, to respond to the invasion, insurrection, threat to security, terrorist threat or attack, riot, mob, unlawful assembly, breach of the peace, or resistance to execution of the laws of the state.

F.S. 250.29 Duty of officer receiving order to provide emergency aid to civil authority; penalty for failure to comply.

Any officer receiving an order to provide emergency aid to a civil authority shall immediately notify the personnel under his or her command, and as soon as the troops can be assembled, proceed to the duty site. If responding to a civil disturbance, the officer, or the sheriff of the county or other law enforcement officer accompanying the officer, shall warn all such persons to desist and disperse and shall use the force necessary to restore peace and overcome resistance. Any officer who fails to comply with this section and any officer or enlisted person who is notified by his or her commanding officer and who fails to obey such order, unless prevented by physical disability, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, and may also be punished as a court-martial directs.

F.S. 250.30 Orders of civil authorities; tactical direction of troops; efforts to disperse before attack.

When an armed force is called out in aid of the civil authorities, the orders of the civil officer or officers may extend to a direction of the general or specific objects to be accomplished and the duration of service by the Florida National Guard, but the tactical direction of the troops, the kind and extent of force to be used, and the particular means to be employed to accomplish the objects specified by the civil officers, are left solely to the officers of the Florida National Guard. Every endeavor consistent with the preservation of life and property must be made, both by the civil officers and officers commanding the troops, to induce rioters or persons lawlessly assembled to disperse before an attack is made upon them by which their lives may be endangered.

F.S. 250.31 Liability of members of the organized militia; defense of actions or proceedings.

(1) Members of the Florida National Guard ordered into state active duty or full-time National Guard duty or ordered into federal training or duty are not liable, civilly or criminally, for any lawful act done by them in the performance of their duty, while acting in good faith and while acting in the scope of either state or federal duty. For purposes of this section, Florida National Guard personnel serving in any drug interdiction program under the authority of the Governor are in state active duty. (2) In any action or proceeding of any nature, civil or criminal, commenced in any court by any person or by the state against any member of the Florida National Guard because of any act done or caused, ordered, or directed to be done, the defendant in such action or proceeding, upon his or her request, shall be defended at the expense of the state by a qualified attorney designated by the Department of Legal Affairs. However, this section does not prohibit such defendant from employing his or her own private counsel at the defendant’s own expense. (3) A defendant may be ordered to state active duty with full pay and allowances for the time his or her presence is required in defense of such actions or proceedings. (4) In any such action or proceeding, if the plaintiff dismisses his or her suit, or a verdict or judgment in favor of the defendant is entered, the court shall award costs and reasonable attorney’s fees incurred by the state and the defendant in the defense of such action or proceeding.

F.S. 250.32 Commanding officer’s control of arms sales.

When any part of the militia of Florida is on state active duty by the order of the Governor to aid in the enforcement of the laws, the commanding officer of such troops may order the closing of any places where arms, ammunition, dynamite, explosives, or intoxicating liquors are sold, and may forbid the selling, bartering, lending, or giving away of any of those commodities in the city, town, or village where the troops are on duty, or in the vicinity of such place, for so long as any of the troops remain on duty in the vicinity. Such orders shall take effect whether any civil officer has issued a similar order; and the commanding officer of the troops may continue to enforce the prohibition until the departure of the troops, although the sheriff, mayor, or intendant of the county, city, town, or village may have prescribed an earlier or different date after which such selling, bartering, lending, or giving away may be carried on.

F.S. 250.33 Powers of commanding officer on state active duty.

The commanding officer of troops on state active duty may incarcerate and detain, until such person can be turned over to the civil authorities, any person guilty of drunkenness, breach of the peace, or disorderly conduct, within 1 mile of a camp, garrison, or station. The commanding officer may also abate any menace to the health or safety of his or her command, camp, garrison, or station.

F.S. 250.34 Injury or death on state active duty.

(1) Every member of the Florida National Guard who is injured or disabled while on state active duty must be furnished medical attention and necessary hospitalization at the expense of the state, and must be continued in a pay status on state active duty until a board of inquiry, appointed by the Adjutant General, determines that the disability no longer justifies such pay, hospitalization, or medical attention. However, such pay, hospitalization, or medical attention may not be provided for more than 1 year after the date that the injury or disability was incurred; and the injury or disability must have been incurred in the line of duty, may not have been due to the misconduct of the individual who was injured or disabled, and may not be a preexisting condition. (2) The pay such individual is entitled to receive up to 1 year after the date of injury or disability shall be either the full military pay and allowances to which the individual would be entitled if on full-time state active duty or the amount of compensation provided under ss. 440.14 and 440.15, based on the individual’s average weekly wages in his or her civilian occupation or employment at the time of entry into state active duty during which such injury arose, whichever amount is greater. If a person receiving pay under this subsection obtains gainful employment, whether part time or full time, the pay that he or she is entitled to under this subsection shall be reduced during the duration of that gainful employment by an amount equal to the amount earned from that gainful employment. (3) After the expiration of 1 year following the date of injury or disability, such individual shall be provided hospitalization, medical services and supplies, and compensation for wages and compensation for disability based on the average weekly wages of such injured individual on pay status in state active duty or in his or her civilian occupation or employment, whichever is greater, in amounts provided under chapter 440, as if such individual were covered under the Workers’ Compensation Law, except that payments made during the first year after the injury may not be duplicated after the expiration of that year. The Division of Risk Management of the Department of Financial Services shall process benefits under this subsection. The Division of Risk Management shall forward each January, to the Department of Military Affairs, an invoice of the payments and associated legal costs made under this subsection during the prior calendar year. The Department of Military Affairs shall incorporate the amount of the invoice in its annual legislative budget request that begins the following July. The Department of Military Affairs shall reimburse the Division of Risk Management for the invoiced amount upon receipt of the funds. (4) Each member of the Florida National Guard who is killed, or who dies as the result of injuries incurred, while on state active duty under competent orders and while engaged in the performance of the member’s official duties qualifies for benefits as a law enforcement officer under ss. 112.19 and 112.1912 or any successor statute providing for death benefits for law enforcement officers, and the decedent’s survivors or estate are entitled to the death benefits provided in ss. 112.19 and 112.1912. However, this section does not prohibit survivors or the estate of the decedent from presenting a claim bill for approval by the Legislature in addition to the death benefits provided in this section. Each member of the Florida National Guard who is killed, or who dies as the result of injuries incurred, while on active duty qualifies for benefits as a member of the United States Armed Forces under s. 295.061, and the decedent’s survivors or estate are entitled to the death benefits provided in s. 295.061. (5) Benefits may not be provided under this section for any injury or disability incurred by a member of the Florida National Guard during the period when the member was continued in a pay status on state active duty pursuant to subsection (1).

F.S. 250.35 Military justice.

(1) The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), 10 U.S.C. ss. 801 et seq., and the Manual for Courts-Martial (2019 Edition) are adopted for use by the Florida National Guard, except as otherwise provided by this chapter, and together with this chapter may be referred to as the Florida Code of Military Justice (FCMJ). (2) Courts-martial may try a member of the Florida National Guard for any crime or offense made punishable by the FCMJ, except that a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or cadet may not be tried by summary courts-martial. (3) Courts-martial in this state are administrative proceedings in the executive branch and are not courts under Art. V of the State Constitution. (4) Courts-martial in the state shall be of three kinds, namely: general courts-martial, special courts-martial, and summary courts-martial. General courts-martial and special courts-martial shall be tried by a military judge and a panel of officers pursuant to the Manual for Courts-Martial, except as otherwise provided by regulations adopted by the Florida National Guard. However, a panel may include enlisted members, at the request of an enlisted accused. The military judge in a general court-martial or special court-martial must be qualified by attendance at appropriate Judge Advocate General schools or must be certified as qualified by the Adjutant General of Florida. In a general and special court-martial, the accused may waive trial by panel and request trial by military judge alone. The granting of such waiver shall be in the military judge’s discretion. The military judge in a summary court-martial must be a commissioned officer who is appointed by the Summary Courts-Martial Convening Authority or a higher authority. (5) General courts-martial in the Florida National Guard may be convened by order of the President of the United States, the Governor, or the Adjutant General. This duty is not delegable. Such courts may, upon a finding of guilt, adjudge no punishment or adjudge one or more of the following punishments: (a) Confinement in an appropriate penal institution for up to 367 days. (b) Dismissal or discharge from the Florida National Guard with such characterization of service deemed appropriate by the military judge or panel members, including a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge. (c) A fine of up to $500 per specification. (d) Forfeiture of all or a portion of pay and allowances. (e) Reduction to the lowest enlisted pay grade or any intermediate pay grade for enlisted personnel. (f) A written reprimand, which shall be included in the accused’s official military personnel file. (6) Special courts-martial authorized to adjudicate a bad conduct discharge in the Florida National Guard may be convened by order of commanding officers of the Florida National Guard who are in the chain of command of the accused and hold the rank of colonel or by order of a person authorized to convene a general court-martial, subject to the procedural protections provided in 10 U.S.C. s. 819. This duty is not delegable. Such courts may, upon a finding of guilt, adjudge no punishment or adjudge one or more of the following punishments: (a) Confinement in an appropriate penal institution for up to 100 days. (b) Discharge from the Florida National Guard with a bad conduct discharge. (c) A fine of up to $400 per specification. (d) Forfeiture of all or a portion of pay and allowances for up to 1 year. (e) Reduction to the lowest enlisted pay grade or any intermediate pay grade for enlisted personnel. (f) A written reprimand, which shall be included in the accused’s official military personnel file. (7) Special courts-martial not authorized to adjudicate a bad conduct discharge in the Florida National Guard may be convened by order of commanding officers of the Florida National Guard who are in the chain of command of the accused and hold the rank of lieutenant colonel or by order of a person authorized to convene a general court-martial or special court-martial authorized to adjudicate a bad conduct discharge. This duty is not delegable. Such courts may, upon a finding of guilt, adjudge no punishment or adjudge one or more of the following punishments: (a) Confinement in an appropriate penal institution for up to 100 days. (b) A fine of up to $300 per specification. (c) Forfeiture of all or a portion of pay and allowances for up to 60 days. (d) Reduction to the lowest enlisted pay grade or any intermediate pay grade for enlisted personnel. (e) A written reprimand, which shall be included in the accused’s official military personnel file. (8) Summary courts-martial in the Florida National Guard may be convened by order of commanding officers of the Florida National Guard who are in the chain of command of the accused and hold the rank of lieutenant colonel or by order of a person authorized to convene a general court-martial or special court-martial. This duty is not delegable. Such courts may, upon a finding of guilt, adjudge no punishment or adjudge one or more of the following punishments: (a) Confinement in an appropriate penal institution for up to 25 days. (b) A fine of up to $200 per specification. (c) Forfeiture of all or a portion of pay and allowances for up to 60 days. (d) Reduction by no more than two pay grades for enlisted personnel. (e) A reprimand. (9) Commanding officers may impose nonjudicial punishment under regulations adopted by the Florida National Guard. Enlisted personnel may receive nonjudicial punishment from their unit commander or from a higher commander in their chain of command. Company grade and warrant officers may receive nonjudicial punishment from a commander who is a field grade or general officer in their chain of command. Field grade officers may receive nonjudicial punishment from a commander who is a general officer in their chain of command. Such commanders may, upon a finding of guilt, adjudge no punishment or adjudge one or more of the following punishments: (a) Oral or written reprimand. (b) Extra duty of up to 14 days of state active duty, annual training, or similar duty, or up to 14 unit training assemblies. (c) Restriction to the armory, training site, or other specified limits, with or without suspension from duty; up to 14 days of state active duty, annual training, or similar duty; or up to 14 unit training assemblies. (d) A fine of up to $200 per specification. (e)1. For enlisted personnel in pay grades above E-4, reduction by one pay grade. 2. For enlisted personnel in pay grades E-4 and below, reduction by two pay grades. (f) Forfeiture of base pay for up to 14 days of state active duty, annual training, or similar duty, or up to 14 unit training assemblies. (g) Any combination of paragraphs (a)-(f), except that a combination of punishment imposed under paragraphs (b) and (c) may not exceed 14 days or 14 unit training assemblies. (10) A commander who imposes nonjudicial punishment, or a successor in command over the person punished, may, at any time, suspend any part or amount of the punishment, subject to the following: (a) Any part or amount of the unexecuted punishment may, at any time, be suspended. (b) An executed punishment of reduction, fine, or forfeiture of pay may be suspended only within 8 months after the date of execution. (c) Suspension of a punishment may not be for longer than 12 months from the date of the suspension, and the expiration of the current enlistment or term of service of the servicemember involved automatically terminates the period of suspension. (11) Regulations adopted by the Florida National Guard may provide for two types of nonjudicial punishment: plenary and summarized. (12)(a) Unless jurisdiction is withheld by a higher-level commander, commanders in command positions authorized the rank of captain may reduce personnel currently serving in pay grades E-2 through E-4. (b) Unless jurisdiction is withheld by a higher-level commander, commanders in command positions authorized the rank of lieutenant colonel may reduce personnel currently serving in pay grades E-2 through E-6. (c) Unless jurisdiction is withheld by a higher-level commander, commanders in command positions authorized the rank of colonel and above may reduce personnel currently serving in pay grades E-2 through E-9. (13)(a) A finding of guilt and the sentence of a summary court-martial may be appealed to the convening authority. If a sentence of imprisonment has been adjudged, the findings and sentence may be appealed to the Adjutant General. (b) A finding of guilt and the sentence of a court-martial convened under this chapter, as approved by the convening authority and the Adjutant General if a sentence of imprisonment has been adjudged, may be appealed to the First District Court of Appeal. (c) A dismissal of a general or special court-martial case, or a specific charge or specification, by the military judge which does not violate the accused’s constitutional rights may be appealed by the Florida National Guard to the First District Court of Appeal. (d) A finding of guilt and the sentence of a nonjudicial punishment may be appealed to the next higher commander in the chain, but such appeal shall be the only and final appeal. (14) When the Florida National Guard is not in the active service of the United States, a sentence of dismissal from the service or dishonorable discharge from the service, imposed by court-martial, may not be executed until approved by the Governor.

F.S. 250.36 Mandates and process.

(1) Military courts may issue all process and mandates, including writs, warrants, and subpoenas, necessary to carry out the powers vested in the courts. Such mandates and process may be directed to the sheriff of a county and must be in the form prescribed by the Adjutant General in the rules issued by him or her under this chapter. All officers to whom such mandates and process are directed must execute the same and make returns of their acts thereunder according to the requirements of the form of process. A sheriff or other officer who neglects or refuses to perform the duty enjoined upon him or her by this chapter is subject to the same liabilities, penalties, and punishments as are prescribed by the law for neglect or refusal to perform any other duty of his or her office. (2) When not in the active service of the United States, the Adjutant General, or his or her designee, or a military judge may issue a pretrial confinement warrant for the purpose of securing the presence of an accused at trial. The warrant must be directed to the sheriff of the county, directing the sheriff to arrest the accused and bring the accused before the court for trial if the accused has disobeyed an order in writing to appear before the court which was delivered to the accused in person or mailed to the accused’s last known address, along with a copy of the charges. Pretrial confinement may not exceed 48 hours. However, the Adjutant General or military judge may extend pretrial confinement for up to 15 days in order to facilitate the presence of the accused at trial. For purposes of this subsection, the term “military judge” does not include a summary court-martial officer who is not qualified to act as a military judge in general or special courts-martial. (3) When not in the active service of the United States, the Adjutant General, or his or her designee, or a military judge may issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum and enforce by attachment the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents and other items of evidentiary value. (4) When not in the active service of the United States, the Adjutant General, or his or her designee, or a military judge may issue and execute search authorizations when the Florida National Guard or Department of Military Affairs has control over the location where the property or person to be searched is situated or found or, if the location is not under military control, when the commander has control over persons subject to military law or law of war. (5) When a sentence of confinement is imposed by a court-martial of the Florida National Guard, the Adjutant General or his or her designee whose approval makes effective the sentence imposed by the court-martial shall issue a warrant directing the sheriff of the appropriate county to take the convicted person into custody and confine him or her in the jail of such county for the period specified in the sentence of the court. A sheriff who receives such warrant must promptly execute the warrant by taking the convicted person into custody and confining him or her in jail. The sheriff or jailer in charge of a county jail shall receive a person committed for confinement in such jail under proper process from a court-martial and provide for the care, subsistence, and safekeeping of such prisoner just as the sheriff or jailer would a prisoner properly committed for custody under the sentence of any civil or criminal court. (6) All sums of money collected through fines adjudged by a general, special, or summary court-martial or through the imposition of nonjudicial punishment of the Florida National Guard shall be paid over at once by the officer collecting the fine to the commanding officer of the organization to which the member belongs and be deposited in accordance with s. 250.40(5)(c)1.

F.S. 250.37 Expenses of courts-martial.

(1) All expenses incurred in a court-martial proceeding, including the payment of court reporters, sheriff’s fees for service of warrants, summons, subpoenas, and all other necessary and lawful fees to civil officers for service, and witness fees at the same rate allowed by law in criminal cases, together with the pay, subsistence, and necessary expenses of the members of the court, shall, except as provided in subsection (4), be paid by the state in the usual manner upon the approval of the Governor. Members of the court are entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061. Courts-martial may subpoena any witness residing within the state to appear and testify before it, and the sheriff of any county upon receiving any subpoena issued by direction of a court-martial, and signed by the military judge or president thereof, shall make service and return of service as provided by law in criminal cases. (2) The employment of a court reporter shall be authorized by the convening authority for all general courts-martial, and may be authorized by the convening authority for special courts-martial. When a court reporter is employed, he or she shall be paid upon the certificate of the military judge or president of the court and the approval of the Adjutant General from the military appropriation, such fees as are provided for official reporters. (3) Fees for the service of all process issuing out of military courts and for the attendance of witnesses to attend such courts shall be the same as provided by law for the service of similar process issued by the civil courts of the state. (4) In trials by summary court, the sheriff’s costs and fees, including costs of subsistence of the soldier, if sentenced to confinement, shall be paid by the county in which the summary court convenes and exercises its jurisdiction and powers. Such costs, fees, and subsistence charges to be made from the fine and forfeiture fund of any such county.

F.S. 250.38 Liability.

An action or proceeding may not be prosecuted or maintained against a member of a military court or officer or person acting under its authority or reviewing its proceeding on account of the approval, imposition, or execution of any sentence; the imposition or collection of a fine or penalty; or the execution of any warrant, writ, execution, process, or mandate of any military court. The jurisdiction of the courts and boards established by this chapter is presumed, and the burden of proof rests upon any person seeking to divest such courts or boards of jurisdiction in any action or proceeding.

F.S. 250.39 Penalty for contempt.

A person may not use disorderly, contemptuous, or indecorous language or expression to or before any military court, or any member of such court, in open court, tending to interrupt its proceedings, or impair the respect due its authority, commit any breach of the peace, or make any noises or other disturbances directly tending to interrupt its proceedings. After hearing before the military judge, any person who is found to have violated this subsection may be committed by warrant by the Adjutant General or a military judge for not more than 30 days to the jail of the county in which the court sits or may be fined up to $100 per offense. For purposes of this subsection, a summary court-martial officer who is not qualified to act as a military judge in general or special courts-martial may conduct the contempt hearing and adjudicate a fine, but may not issue a warrant for confinement.

F.S. 250.40 Armory Board; creation; membership, terms, and compensation; duties and responsibilities.

(1) There is created an Armory Board, which is charged with the supervision and control of all Florida National Guard armories, facilities, and real property within the state used for military purposes. (2)(a) Voting members of the Armory Board include the Governor as Commander in Chief and chair of the board, the Adjutant General as vice chair, the Assistant Adjutants General of the Army, and major subordinate command commanders in the active Florida Army National Guard. (b) A member of the board may request excusal from an Armory Board meeting by the Adjutant General or his or her designee. A member so excused may delegate his or her deputy commander or executive officer to attend the meeting as an alternate member with voting privileges. (c) The Governor may appoint one representative from his or her staff to attend meetings of the Armory Board. The appointee shall serve as a nonvoting advisory member and liaison to the board. (d) The State Quartermaster shall act as the recorder and secretary of the Armory Board. In addition, the State Quartermaster shall execute the policy, decisions, and official actions of the board. When the board is in recess, the State Quartermaster shall conduct the day-to-day business of the board. The State Quartermaster and his or her staff are not liable, civilly or criminally, for any lawful act done by them in the performance of their duty while acting in good faith and while acting in the scope of either state or federal duty. (3) The term of each member of the Armory Board is the period during which the member possesses the title and qualifications for such membership provided in this chapter. (4) The members of the Armory Board must perform the duties imposed upon them by this chapter without any special compensation for their services; however, members of the Armory Board are eligible for reimbursement for travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061, and such expenses must be paid from the expense appropriation from the Department of Military Affairs. (5) The Armory Board must: (a) Supervise and control all Florida National Guard armories, military buildings, and real property within the state used for military purposes. (b) Consider and approve the plans for all armories and other buildings before such buildings are rented, constructed, or otherwise acquired for military purposes. (c) Receive from counties, municipalities, and other sources donations of land, services, or money to aid in providing, operating, improving, and maintaining armories and other facilities used for military purposes. The national military policy recognizes the Florida National Guard as an important component of the United States Army and Air Force, and a member of the total force, sharing in the defense of the country. The Florida National Guard is available to assist the state and local governments in the event of an emergency. Therefore, it is reasonable and equitable that the expense of maintaining the Florida National Guard be shared by the federal, state, and local governments. As the Federal Government is providing liberally for the equipment and training of the Florida National Guard and the state for its administration, management, and maintenance, local governments are encouraged to provide services at no cost to Florida National Guard armories. 1. Any contributions of money, any moneys derived from the rental of armories and other facilities, the armory-operations allowances provided in s. 250.20, and all money collected through fines imposed by a court-martial or nonjudicial proceeding of the Florida National Guard, as provided in s. 250.36(6), shall be received on behalf of the Armory Board by the post commander of such facility and must be deposited into a federal depository, approved by the Department of Military Affairs, in an account in a banking institution in the county in which such facility is located. 2. The funds received shall be disbursed for the purposes enumerated in this subsection at the discretion of the post commander. 3. Any real property donated shall be held as other property for use by the state, and counties and municipalities may make donations of lands by deed or long-term lease and contributions of moneys for the purposes set forth in this section, and may issue bonds or certificates of indebtedness to provide funds for such purposes. Boards of county commissioners may levy taxes, not to exceed 1 mill, to provide funds for the construction of armories or for the retirement of bonds or certificates of indebtedness issued to provide funds for the construction of armories. Counties and municipalities may construct armories upon state-owned land, which may be made available for such purpose by action of the Armory Board. Counties and municipalities may also grant to the Armory Board, by deed or long-term leases, property that is acquired or buildings that are constructed for military purposes. Each local government is encouraged to provide economic incentives to reduce the cost of locating Florida National Guard facilities in its jurisdiction. A local government may appropriate funds to pay expenses of the Florida National Guard unit in its jurisdiction. Such funds will be received, accounted for, and dispersed as other funds received by the unit. (d) Exercise the right of eminent domain to acquire private property for armories, buildings, and other facilities needed for military purposes, when in the public interest. Whenever it becomes necessary in the public interest to acquire private property, and the property cannot be acquired by agreement satisfactory to the Armory Board and the parties interested in, or the owners of, the private property, eminent domain may be used to condemn such property in the manner provided by law. Any suit or action brought by the Armory Board to condemn property, as provided for under this section, shall be brought in the name of the Armory Board; and the Department of Legal Affairs shall conduct the proceedings for and act as the counsel of the board in such matters. (e) Accept and hold title to real property, by deed or long-term lease, from federal, state, or local governments, or from private interests, for use as armories or for other military purposes. (f) Each unit commander shall provide for the safekeeping, accountability, and proper care of such property and for its protection against misappropriation or loss. An armory, while it is occupied and in use by troops, is a military post and must be under the control and jurisdiction of the post commander. A building that is not under the control and supervision of the post commander or other properly constituted military authority may not be used to house or train troops or to store military property. (g) Supervise, manage, and maintain any permanent structures or facilities used for military purposes which are the property of the Department of Military Affairs or, if property of the United States, are provided to the Department of Military Affairs for military purposes. The Armory Board may provide for the maintenance and care of armories and other state facilities used for military purposes from any funds that are available for that purpose. All moneys accruing to the Armory Board from the operation, management, and sale of properties or facilities as authorized in this paragraph may be used for maintaining state properties under the control of the Armory Board. (h) Convey, lease, or re-lease any real property under its ownership, supervision, or control which is no longer required for military purposes. (i) Acquire, renovate, or construct armories needed for military purposes throughout the state. (j) Enter into a lease-purchase, sale-leaseback, or tax-exempt leveraged lease contract or other financing arrangement for acquiring, renovating, or constructing needed facilities, subject to authorization by an appropriations act. Each capital outlay project or other contract, agreement, or transaction authorized under this paragraph must be specifically approved by the Legislature. (k) Report annually to the Adjutant General on the proceedings incident to locating and managing armories and on the management of other property entrusted to the care of the Armory Board. The report must include a detailed account of all disbursements and be made a part of the annual report of the Department of Military Affairs.

F.S. 250.43 Wearing of uniform and insignia of rank; penalty.

(1) The uniform or insignia of rank worn by officers of the Florida National Guard shall be worn only by persons entitled thereto by commission under the laws of the state or the United States. Any person violating this subsection commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, and may also be punished as a court-martial directs. (2) Every person other than an officer or enlisted person of the Florida National Guard, naval militia, or marine corps of this state, any other state, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia, or of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force, who wears the uniform of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, National Guard, Naval Militia, or Marine Corps or any part of such uniform, or a uniform or part of uniform similar thereto, or in imitation thereof, within the bounds of the state, except in cases where the wearing of such uniform is permitted by the laws of the United States and the regulations of the Secretary of Defense, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. This section does not prohibit persons in the theatrical profession from wearing such uniforms while actually engaged in such profession, in any playhouse or theater, in a production in no way reflecting upon such uniform; does not prohibit the uniform rank of civic societies parading or traveling in a body or assembling in a lodge room; and does not apply to cadets of any military school or to Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts.

F.S. 250.44 Military equipment regulations; penalties.

(1) Any person who sells, offers for sale, barters, exchanges, pledges, loans, gives away, secretes, or retains after demand is made by civil or military officers of the state, any clothing, arms, military outfits or property furnished by or through the state to any member of the militia, or who receives by purchase, barter, exchange, pledge, loan, or gift any such clothing, arms, military outfits or property commits theft as provided in chapter 812. (2) All members of the Florida National Guard who, due to their military responsibilities, have been entrusted any military property, must account for such property according to applicable rules and regulations or special orders made by superior authority. Such military property may not be removed without proper authority. Any person who fails to account for or return to proper military authority any property in that person’s possession to which the state military authorities are entitled, or who conceals or converts the property to the person’s own use, commits theft as provided in chapter 812. Any prosecution under this section may be abated upon making full satisfaction for such property to the military authorities of the state and paying all court costs resulting from the prosecution. (3) The clothing, arms, military outfits, and property furnished by or through the state to any member of the militia or the Florida State Guard may not be sold, bartered, loaned, exchanged, pledged, or given away. A person who is not a member of the military forces of this state or the United States, or an authorized agent of this state or the United States, who possesses clothing, arms, military outfits, or property that is unlawfully disposed of has no right, title, or interest therein, and the clothing, arms, military outfits, or property shall be seized and taken wherever found by any civil or military officer of the state and delivered to any commanding officer or other authorized officer, who must: (a) If such clothing, arms, military outfits, or property were issued by or are property of the militia, make an immediate report to the Adjutant General. (b) If such clothing, arms, military outfits, or property were issued by or are property of the Florida State Guard, make an immediate report to the director of the Division of the State Guard within the Department of Military Affairs. The possession of any such clothing, arms, military outfits, or property by any person not a member of the military forces of this state, or any other state, or of the United States, is presumptive evidence of such sale, barter, loan, exchange, pledge, or gift and is punishable as provided in chapter 812.

F.S. 250.45 Military uniform discriminated against; penalty.

Any proprietor, manager, or employee of any theater or other public place of entertainment or amusement within this state who discriminates against any person lawfully wearing the uniform of any branch of the military or naval service of the United States or of the state, because of that uniform, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

F.S. 250.46 Salaried employees not entitled to additional pay.

Officers and enlisted personnel of the Florida National Guard employed by the Department of Military Affairs, who receive monthly salaries from the state for military duties, are not entitled to any other pay from the state for military service of any character. However, this section does not prohibit any officer or enlisted person from receiving pay from the United States for participation in maneuvers, camps, field service, or other service or duty.

F.S. 250.47 Governor’s permission for unit to leave state.

A unit of the Florida National Guard may not leave the state without permission of the Governor.

F.S. 250.48 Leaves of absence.

Any officer or employee of the state, of any county or school district of the state, or of any municipality or political subdivision of the state who is a member of the Florida National Guard is entitled to leave of absence from his or her respective duties, without loss of pay, time, or efficiency rating, on all days during which the officer or employee is engaged in active state duty for a named event, declared disaster, or operation pursuant to s. 250.28 or s. 252.36. However, a leave of absence without loss of pay granted under this section may not exceed 30 days for each emergency or disaster, as established by executive order.

F.S. 250.49 Annual encampment.

Subject to the restrictions of federal law, the Governor may annually order into service the whole or any portion of the Florida National Guard. The period of such service shall be fixed by the Governor. When ordered onto state active duty and if rations are not furnished by the United States Government, the state must furnish rations for the officers and enlisted personnel of the same quality as the rations furnished by the regular army and must pay the expenses of the encampment as the Governor considers proper, including the travel expenses of officers and enlisted personnel incurred in obeying such orders when such expenses are not paid by the Government of the United States.

F.S. 250.51 Insult to troops; penalty.

When troops of the Florida National Guard are at drill in their respective armories, on the streets, public roads, or other places, where such drills are conducted or when they are performing other duties required of them by the state or the United States, a person may not make any disloyal or insulting remark to or about the troops or make any sign, motion, or gesture calculated to insult or humiliate the troops. Any person who makes a disloyal or insulting remark, or who makes any such sign, motion, or gesture, for the purpose and in the manner prohibited in this section, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

F.S. 250.52 Unlawful to persuade citizens not to enlist; penalty.

Whenever the United States is at war, or our foreign relations tend to indicate an impending war or state of war, a person may not solicit or persuade a citizen of the United States not to enlist or serve in the Army, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Navy, or in any reserve component thereof, or in the Florida National Guard, or publicly attempt to dissuade any such citizen from enlisting. This section does not apply to the soliciting or persuading done by any person related by affinity or consanguinity to the person solicited or persuaded or whose advice is requested by the person solicited or persuaded. Any person who violates this section commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

F.S. 250.80 Popular name.

Sections 250.80-250.84 may be known by the popular name the “Florida Uniformed Servicemembers Protection Act.”

F.S. 250.81 Legislative intent.

It is the intent of the Legislature that men and women who serve in the National Guard of any state, the United States Armed Forces, and Armed Forces Reserves understand their rights under applicable state and federal laws. Further, it is the intent of the Legislature that Florida residents and businesses understand the rights afforded to the men and women who volunteer their time and sacrifice their lives to protect the freedoms granted by the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Florida.

F.S. 250.82 Applicability of state and federal law.

(1) Florida law provides certain protections to members of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Reserve Forces, and the National Guard in various legal proceedings and contractual relationships. In addition to these state provisions, federal law also contains protections, such as those provided in the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), Title 50, Appendix U.S.C. ss. 501 et seq., and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), Title 38 United States Code, chapter 43, that are applicable to members in every state even though such provisions are not specifically identified under state law. (2) To the extent allowed by federal law, the state courts have concurrent jurisdiction for enforcement over all causes of action arising from federal law and may award a remedy as provided therein.

F.S. 250.83 Construction of part.

In the event that any other provision of law conflicts with SCRA, USERRA, or the provisions of this chapter, the provisions of SCRA, USERRA, or the provisions of this chapter, whichever is applicable, shall control. Nothing in this part shall construe rights or responsibilities not provided under the SCRA, USERRA, or this chapter.

F.S. 250.84 Florida Uniformed Servicemembers Protection Act; rights of servicemembers; incorporation by reference.

(1) It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that those individuals affected by the provisions of the Florida Uniformed Servicemembers Protection Act be made aware of the rights and responsibilities of servicemembers. The Department of Military Affairs shall make available a document containing the rights and responsibilities of servicemembers set forth in Florida Statutes, either through printed or electronic means, to appropriate state or local organizations composed of parties affected by said rights, including, but not limited to, those representing: (a) Motor vehicle dealers. (b) Financial institutions and mortgage brokers. (c) Telecommunications service companies. (d) Residential tenancies. (e) Real estate salespersons and brokers. (f) Members of The Florida Bar Association who serve on a military affairs-related committee. (2) The Department of Military Affairs shall also make available a document containing the rights and responsibilities of servicemembers set forth in Florida Statutes, either through printed or electronic means, to servicemembers and their families. (3) Such documents containing the rights and responsibilities of servicemembers set forth in this act shall include an enumeration of all rights and responsibilities under state and federal law, including, but not limited to: (a) The rights and responsibilities provided by the Florida Uniformed Servicemembers Protection Act, including a listing of all sections of Florida Statutes relating to servicemembers. (b) The rights and responsibilities provided by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. (c) The rights and responsibilities provided by the Uniformed Servicemembers Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

F.S. 250.115 Department of Military Affairs direct-support organization.

(1) DEFINITIONS. — As used in this section, the term: (a) “Direct-support organization” means an organization that is: 1. A Florida corporation not for profit, incorporated under chapter 617, and approved by the Department of State. 2. Organized and operated exclusively to raise funds; request and receive grants, gifts, and bequests of moneys; acquire, receive, hold, invest, and administer in its own name securities, funds, or property; support the processing of requests for assistance from the Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Program or similar programs, as directed by the Adjutant General; and make expenditures to or for the direct or indirect benefit of the Department of Military Affairs or the Florida National Guard. 3. Determined by the Department of Military Affairs to be operating in a manner consistent with the goals of the Department of Military Affairs and the Florida National Guard and in the best interest of the state. Any organization that is denied certification by the Adjutant General may not use the name of the Florida National Guard or the Department of Military Affairs in any part of its name or its publications. (b) “Personal services” includes full-time or part-time personnel as well as payroll processing. (2) BOARD OF DIRECTORS. — The organization shall be governed by a board of directors. The Adjutant General, or his or her designee, shall appoint a president of the board. The board of directors shall be appointed by the president of the board. (3) CONTRACT. — The direct-support organization shall operate under a written contract with the department. The written contract must provide for: (a) Certification by the department that the direct-support organization is complying with the terms of the contract and is doing so consistent with the goals and purposes of the department and in the best interests of the state. This certification must be made annually and reported in the official minutes of a meeting of the direct-support organization. (b) The reversion of moneys and property held by the direct-support organization: 1. To the department if the direct-support organization is no longer approved to operate by the department; 2. To the department if the direct-support organization ceases to exist; or 3. To the state if the department ceases to exist. (c) The disclosure of the material provisions of the contract and the distinction between the department and the direct-support organization to donors of gifts, contributions, or bequests, including such disclosure on all promotional and fundraising publications. (4) USE OF PROPERTY. — (a) The Department of Military Affairs may permit the use of property, facilities, and personal services of the Department of Military Affairs by the direct-support organization, subject to the provisions of this section. (b) The Department of Military Affairs may prescribe any condition with which a direct-support organization organized under this section must comply in order to use property, facilities, or personal services of the Department of Military Affairs. (c) The Department of Military Affairs may not permit the use of its property, facilities, or personal services by any direct-support organization organized under this section which does not provide equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or religion. (5) ACTIVITIES; RESTRICTIONS. — Any transaction or agreement between the direct-support organization organized pursuant to this section and another direct-support organization must be approved by the Department of Military Affairs. (6) ANNUAL BUDGETS AND REPORTS. — The direct-support organization shall submit to the Department of Military Affairs its annual budget and financial reports, its federal Internal Revenue Service Application for Recognition of Exemption form (Form 1023), and its federal Internal Revenue Service Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax form (Form 990). (7) ANNUAL AUDIT. — The direct-support organization shall provide for an annual financial audit in accordance with s. 215.981.

F.S. 250.116 Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Program.

(1) PROGRAM PURPOSE. — The purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance and services to eligible servicemembers of the Florida National Guard and eligible members of their families. The program shall be administered by the Department of Military Affairs. The department may be assisted in the processing of applications and the administration of the program by the direct-support organization authorized under s. 250.115. (2) FUNDING. — The program shall be implemented through funding provided by the direct-support organization. (3) AUTHORIZED ASSISTANCE. — The assistance available under the program may include: (a) Housing. — The program may provide housing assistance. Housing assistance includes assistance with emergency repairs, renovations, or replacements that are needed for a servicemember’s primary residential property in order to address health or safety issues or meet disability needs. Housing assistance also includes assistance with lease deposits, mortgage payments, and rent payments. (b) Living expenses. — The program may provide assistance for living expenses that are reasonable and necessary to meet basic needs for eligible members of the Florida National Guard and eligible members of their families. Living expenses include expenses for clothing, groceries, utility services, motor vehicle fuel and transportation, insurance, and child care that is necessary in order to obtain or maintain employment. (c) Vehicles. — The program may provide assistance for repairs or short-term rentals required to maintain the primary vehicle of a servicemember’s family in a safe operating condition. If a repair will not restore the primary vehicle to a safe operating condition, or if there is no vehicle, assistance with the purchase of a vehicle may be provided if such a vehicle is necessary. (d) Health care. — The program may provide assistance for services that are documented by a medical authority as necessary for the health and welfare of the individual. Assistance is not available for elective procedures or medical care that is covered by insurance. (e) Other services. — The program may provide assistance for a service or expense that is not specifically enumerated in this subsection if the service or expense is reasonable under the circumstances. (4) ELIGIBILITY. — Persons eligible for assistance from the program include: (a) Servicemembers who are members of the Florida National Guard who are: 1. On active duty serving in the Global War on Terrorism or Overseas Contingency Operation or who request assistance within 120 days after the termination of orders for such service and return to their home of record. 2. Deployed by the Federal Government and participating in state operations for homeland defense or request assistance within 120 days after the termination of orders for such service and return to their home of record. (b)1. Beneficiaries of an eligible servicemember designated on United States Department of Defense Form 93. 2. Individuals demonstrating a financial need for authorized assistance who are dependents or family members of an eligible servicemember. (5) REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE; REVIEW; AWARDS. — (a) A request for assistance shall be reviewed and processed at the local level by an official designated by the Adjutant General. During the initial review and processing of the request, the Department of Military Affairs may accept assistance from the direct-support organization. Final review and approval of requests for assistance shall be made by the Department of Military Affairs. (b) Requests for assistance shall be reviewed and evaluated based on the following criteria: 1. The impact of a servicemember’s absence and inability to assist in home and vehicle repairs or meet other family needs; 2. The economic impact of deployment; 3. The overall financial situation of the applicant; 4. The assistance authorized under the program; and 5. Other relevant information. (6) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REVIEW. — The financial committee of the board of directors of the direct-support organization shall review financial transactions of the program each quarter. This review shall be provided to the Department of Military Affairs in order to determine whether the direct-support organization is being operated in a manner that is consistent with the purposes of the Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Fund, and in the best interests of the department. The financial committee may request the Office of Inspector General to conduct additional reviews.

F.S. 250.175 Trust funds; authorization; name; purpose.

(1)(a) The Federal Law Enforcement Trust Fund is created within the Department of Military Affairs. The department shall deposit into the trust fund moneys received from the forfeiture of assets obtained through illegal drug activities, which shall be used to support law enforcement and counter-drug activities and drug interdiction programs of the Florida National Guard. (b) Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year will remain in the trust fund and be available for carrying out the purposes of the trust fund. This trust fund is exempt from the service charges imposed by s. 215.20. (2)(a) The Emergency Response Trust Fund is created within the Department of Military Affairs. Reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the costs of activating the Florida National Guard and transfers of state funds approved by budget amendments processed under chapter 216 shall be deposited into the trust fund. The trust fund shall be used to pay all operational costs incurred by the Florida National Guard when called to active duty. (b) Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year shall remain in the trust fund and is available for carrying out the purposes of the trust fund. The trust fund is exempt from the service charges imposed by s. 215.20. (3)(a) The Camp Blanding Management Trust Fund is created within the Department of Military Affairs. The department shall deposit funds generated by revenue-producing activities on the Camp Blanding Military Reservation into the trust fund, which shall be used to support required training of the Florida National Guard. (b) Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year shall remain in the trust fund and is available for carrying out the purposes of the trust fund. The trust fund is exempt from the service charges imposed by s. 215.20. (4)(a) The Federal Grants Trust Fund is created within the Department of Military Affairs. The department shall deposit into the trust fund federal funds received by the department under cooperative agreements between the federal and state governments, which shall be used to perform the functions and tasks specified in the agreements. The department shall also deposit into the trust fund other funds received by the department. (b) Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year shall remain in the trust fund and is available for carrying out the purposes of the trust fund.

F.S. 250.245 Florida National Guard Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program.

(1) The Florida National Guard Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program (JEEP) is established within the Department of Military Affairs. The purpose of the program is to motivate soldiers, airmen, and retirees of the Florida National Guard to bolster recruitment efforts and increase the force structure of the Florida National Guard. (2) As used in this section, the term “recruiting assistant” means a member of the Florida National Guard or a retiree of the Florida National Guard who assists in the recruitment of a new member and who provides motivation, encouragement, and moral support until the enlistment of such new member. (3) A current member in pay grade E-1 to O-3 or a retiree in any pay grade is eligible for participation in JEEP as a recruiting assistant. (4) The Adjutant General shall provide compensation to recruiting assistants participating in JEEP. A recruiting assistant shall receive $1,000 for each new member referred by them to the Florida National Guard upon the enlistment of such referred member. (5) The Department of Military Affairs, in cooperation with the Florida National Guard, shall adopt rules to administer the program. (6) This section expires July 1, 2025.

F.S. 250.341 Cancellation of health insurance.

(1) Any health insurance policy, certificate, or evidence of health coverage which provides coverage to a member of the Florida National Guard, or a member of any branch of the United States military reserves who is a resident of this state, called to active duty or state active duty, must: (a) Continue all coverages that were in effect for the person, or the person’s dependents covered by the same policy, at the premium in effect for all insured under the same contract, unless the employee or insured requests coverage changes that might alter the premium he or she was paying prior to such activation during the time he or she serves on active duty. (b) Reinstate the coverage for any such person who elects not to continue it while on active duty or state active duty, at the person’s request upon return from active duty or state active duty, without a waiting period or disqualification for any condition that existed at the time he or she was called to active duty or state active duty. Such reinstatement must be requested within 30 days after returning to work with the same employer or within 60 days if the policy is an individual policy. (2) Any coverage available to the insured employee’s dependent under any insurance sponsored by the Department of Defense must be considered in the payment of any benefits. (3) The employee or other appropriate military authority must notify his or her employer of his or her reserve or National Guard status and the employee’s intent to invoke the provisions of subsection (1) prior to leaving his or her employer to report for active duty or state active duty. Prior notice to the employer is not required if such notice is precluded by military necessity or if such notice is impossible or unreasonable. (4) This section does not require an employee group health insurance policy to provide coverage to a person serving on state active duty.

F.S. 250.351 Courts-martial; jurisdiction.

(1) Members of the Florida National Guard are subject to this chapter and the Florida Code of Military Justice, including the punitive provisions thereof, at all times during their enlistment or appointment, whether in civilian or military status and whether serving in this state or outside the state. Jurisdiction is based exclusively on membership in the Florida National Guard and not subject to any additional requirements. (2) Subject matter jurisdiction is established if a nexus exists between an offense, either military or nonmilitary, and the state military force. Courts-martial under the Florida Code of Military Justice have primary jurisdiction over military offenses committed when not in the active service of the United States. A proper civilian court has primary jurisdiction over a nonmilitary offense when an act or omission violates both the Florida Code of Military Justice and local criminal law, foreign or domestic. In such a case, a court-martial may be initiated only after the civilian authority has declined to prosecute or has dismissed the charge, provided jeopardy has not attached. Jurisdiction over attempted crimes, conspiracy crimes, solicitation, and accessory crimes must be determined by the underlying offense. Courts-martial under the Florida Code of Military Justice may be initiated for offenses committed by a Florida National Guard member while in the active service of the United States only after the commander with authority over the offense under the Uniform Code of Military Justice has declined to prosecute or has dismissed the charge, provided jeopardy has not attached. (3) Courts-martial may be convened and held in a unit of the Florida National Guard serving outside the state, and the court has the same jurisdiction and powers as if the courts-martial were held within the state. An offense committed outside the state may be tried and punished outside the state or within the state.

F.S. 250.375 Medical officer authorization.

A servicemember trained to provide medical care who is serving under the direction of the Florida National Guard State Surgeon and is assigned to a military duty position and authorized by the Florida National Guard to provide medical care within the scope of the servicemember’s professional licensure by virtue of such duty position may provide such medical care to military personnel and civilians within this state while serving with or in support of the Florida National Guard, pursuant to federal or state orders, during an emergency or declared disaster.

F.S. 250.481 Reserve components; employment discrimination prohibited.

Any person who seeks or holds an employment position may not be denied employment or retention in employment, or any promotion or advantage of employment, because of any obligation as a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces.

F.S. 250.482 Troops ordered into state active service; not to be penalized by employers and postsecondary institutions.

(1) If a member of the National Guard is ordered into state active duty pursuant to this chapter or into active duty as defined by the law of any other state, a private or public employer, or an employing or appointing authority of this state, its counties, school districts, municipalities, political subdivisions, career centers, community colleges, or universities, may not discharge, reprimand, or in any other way penalize such member because of his or her absence by reason of state active duty. (2)(a) Upon the completion of state active duty, a member of the National Guard shall promptly notify the employer of his or her intent to return to work. (b) An employer is not required to allow a member of the National Guard to return to work under this section if: 1. The employer’s circumstances have so changed as to make employment impossible or unreasonable; 2. Employment would impose an undue hardship on the employer; 3. The employment from which the member of the National Guard leaves to serve in state active duty is for a brief, nonrecurrent period and there is no reasonable expectation that such employment will continue indefinitely or for a significant period; or 4. The employer had legally sufficient cause to terminate the member of the National Guard at the time he or she left for state active duty. The employer has the burden of proving the impossibility or unreasonableness, undue hardship, the brief or nonrecurrent nature of the employment without a reasonable expectation of continuing indefinitely or for a significant period, or the legally sufficient cause to terminate the person at the time he or she left for state active duty. (c) A member of the National Guard who returns to work after serving on state active duty is entitled to: 1. The seniority that the member had at his or her place of employment on the date of the commencement of his or her state active duty and any other rights and benefits that inure to the member as a result of such seniority; and 2. Any additional seniority that the member would have attained at his or her place of employment if he or she had remained continuously employed and the rights and benefits that inure to the member as a result of such seniority. (d) A member of the National Guard who returns to work after serving on state active duty may not be discharged from such employment for a period of 1 year after the date the member returns to work, except for cause. (e) An employer may not require any National Guard member returning to employment following a period of state active duty service to use vacation, annual, compensatory, or similar leave for the period during which the member was ordered into state active duty. However, any such returning member shall, upon his or her request, be permitted to use, for the period during which the member was ordered into state active duty, any vacation, annual, compensatory, or similar leave with pay accrued by the member prior to the commencement of his or her state active duty service. (3) If the Adjutant General certifies that there is probable cause to believe there has been a violation of this section, an employee ordered into state active duty so injured by a violation of this section may bring civil action against an employer violating this section in a court of competent jurisdiction of the county in which the alleged violator resides or has his or her principal place of business, or in the county wherein the alleged violation occurred. Upon adverse adjudication, the defendant is liable for actual damages or $500, whichever is greater. The prevailing party in any litigation proceedings is entitled to recover reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs. (4) The certification of probable cause may not be issued until the Adjutant General, or his or her designee, has investigated the issues. All employers and other personnel involved with the issues of such investigation must cooperate with the Adjutant General in the investigation.

F.S. 250.483 Active duty; licensure or qualification.

(1) If a member of the Florida National Guard or the United States Armed Forces Reserves seeking licensure or qualification for a trade, occupation, or profession is ordered into state active duty or into active duty as defined in this chapter, and his or her period of training, study, apprenticeship, or practical experience is interrupted or the start thereof is delayed, he or she is entitled to licensure or qualification under the laws covering his or her licensure or qualification at the time of entrance into active duty pursuant to subsection (2). (2) A board of examiners or other qualification board regulated under general law shall accept periods of training and practical experience in the Florida National Guard or the United States Armed Forces Reserves in place of the interrupted or delayed periods of training, study, apprenticeship, or practical experience if the board finds the standard and type of work or training performed in the Florida National Guard or the United States Armed Forces Reserves to be substantially the same as the standard and type required under the laws of this state. (3) A member of the National Guard or the United States Armed Forces Reserves must request licensure or qualification pursuant to this section by the respective board of examiners or other qualification board within 6 months after release from active duty with the Florida National Guard or the United States Armed Forces Reserves.

F.S. 250.531 Drug interdiction responsibilities.

When authorized or directed by the Governor, the Florida National Guard may assist federal law enforcement agencies in interdicting the importation of controlled substances into this state. When so authorized or directed, the Florida National Guard shall be deemed to be a state investigative law enforcement agency and shall be authorized to receive property and revenues pursuant to 19 U.S.C. s. 1613b(a)(3)(f).

F.S. 250.533 Purpose.

The purposes of this compact are to: (1) Provide for mutual assistance and support among the party states in the utilization of the National Guard in drug interdiction, counter-drug activities, and demand reduction. (2) Permit the National Guard of this state to enter into mutual assistance and support agreements, on the basis of need, with one or more law enforcement agencies operating within this state, for activities within this state, or with a National Guard of one or more other states, whether said activities are within or without this state, in order to facilitate and coordinate efficient, cooperative enforcement efforts directed toward drug interdiction, counter-drug activities, and demand reduction. (3) Permit the National Guard of this state to act as a receiving and responding state as defined within this compact to ensure the prompt and effective delivery of National Guard personnel, assets, and services to agencies or areas that are in need of increased support and presence. (4) Permit and encourage a high degree of flexibility in the deployment of National Guard forces in the interest of efficiency. (5) Maximize the effectiveness of the National Guard in those situations which call for its utilization under this compact. (6) Provide protection for the rights of National Guard personnel when performing duties in other states in counter-drug activities. (7) Ensure uniformity of state laws in the area of National Guard involvement in interstate counter-drug activities by incorporating said uniform laws within the compact.

F.S. 250.534 Entry into force and withdrawal.

(1) This compact shall enter into force when enacted into law by any two states. Thereafter, this compact shall become effective as to any other state upon its enactment thereof. (2) Any party state may withdraw from this compact by enacting a statute repealing the same, but no such withdrawal shall take effect until 1 year after the Governor of the withdrawing state has given notice in writing of such withdrawal to the Governors of all other party states.

F.S. 250.535 Definitions; mutual assistance and support.

(1) As used in this compact: (a) “Drug interdiction and counter-drug activities” means the use of National Guard personnel, while not in federal service, in any law enforcement support activities that are intended to reduce the supply or use of illegal drugs in the United States. These activities include, but are not limited to: 1. Providing information obtained during either the normal course of military training or operations or during counter-drug activities, to federal, state, or local law enforcement officials that may be relevant to a violation of any federal or state law within the jurisdiction of such officials. 2. Making available any equipment, including associated supplies or spare parts, base facilities, or research facilities of the National Guard to any federal, state, or local civilian law enforcement official for law enforcement purposes, in accordance with other applicable law or regulations. 3. Providing available National Guard personnel to train federal, state, or local civilian law enforcement in the operation and maintenance of equipment, including equipment made available by subparagraph 2., in accordance with other applicable law. 4. Providing available National Guard personnel to operate and maintain equipment provided to federal, state, or local law enforcement officials pursuant to activities defined and referred to in this compact. 5. Operation and maintenance of equipment and facilities of the National Guard or law enforcement agencies used for the purposes of drug interdiction and counter-drug activities. 6. Providing available National Guard personnel to operate equipment for the detection, monitoring, and communication of the movement of air, land, and sea traffic; to facilitate communication in connection with law enforcement programs; to provide transportation for civilian law enforcement personnel; and to operate bases of operations for civilian law enforcement personnel. 7. Providing available National Guard personnel, equipment, and support for administrative, interpretive, analytic, or other purposes. 8. Providing available National Guard personnel and equipment to aid federal, state, and local officials and agencies otherwise involved in the prosecution or incarceration of individuals processed within the criminal justice system who have been arrested for criminal acts involving the use, distribution, or transportation of controlled substances as defined in 21 U.S.C. ss. 801 et seq., or otherwise by law, in accordance with other applicable law. (b) “Demand reduction” means providing available National Guard personnel, equipment, support, and coordination to federal, state, local, and civic organizations, institutions, and agencies for the purposes of the prevention of drug abuse and reduction in the demand for illegal drugs. (c) “Requesting state” means the state whose Governor requested assistance in the area of counter-drug activities. (d) “Responding state” means the state furnishing assistance or requested to furnish assistance in the area of counter-drug activities. (e) “Law enforcement agency” means a lawfully established federal, state, or local public agency that is responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and the enforcement of penal, traffic, regulatory, game, immigration, postal, customs, or controlled substance laws. (f) “Official” means the appointed, elected, designated, or otherwise duly selected representative of an agency, institution, or organization authorized to conduct those activities for which support is requested. (g) “Mutual assistance and support agreement” or “agreement” means an agreement between the National Guard of this state and one or more law enforcement agencies or between the National Guard of this state and the National Guard of one or more other states, consistent with the purposes of this compact. (h) “State” means each of the several states of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory or possession of the United States. (i) “Party state” refers to a state that has lawfully enacted this compact. (2) Upon the request of a Governor of a party state for assistance in the area of drug interdiction, counter-drug activities, and demand reduction, the Governor of a responding state shall have authority under this compact to send without the borders of his or her state and place under the temporary operational control of the appropriate National Guard or other military authorities of the requesting state, for the purposes of providing such requested assistance, all or any part of the National Guard forces of his or her state as he or she may deem necessary, and the exercise of his or her discretion in this regard shall be conclusive. (3) The Governor of a party state may, within his or her discretion, withhold the National Guard forces of his or her state from such use and recall any forces or part or member thereof previously deployed in a requesting state. (4) The National Guard of this state is hereby authorized to engage in counter-drug activities and demand reduction. (5) The Adjutant General of this state, in order to further the purposes of this compact, may enter into a mutual assistance and support agreement with one or more law enforcement agencies of this state, including federal law enforcement agencies operating within this state, or with the National Guard of one or more other party states to provide personnel, assets, and services in the area of counter-drug activities and demand reduction, provided that all parties to the agreement are not specifically prohibited by law to perform said activities. (6) The agreement must set forth the powers, rights, and obligations of the parties to the agreement, where applicable, as follows: (a) Its duration. (b) The organization, composition, and nature of any separate legal entity created thereby. (c) The purpose of the agreement. (d) The manner of financing the agreement and maintaining its budget. (e) The method to be employed in accomplishing the partial or complete termination of the agreement and for disposing of property upon such partial or complete termination. (f) Provision for administering the agreement, which may include creation of a joint board responsible for such administration. (g) The manner of acquiring, holding, and disposing of real and personal property used in this agreement, if necessary. (h) The minimum standards for National Guard personnel implementing the provisions of this agreement. (i) The minimum insurance required of each party to the agreement, if necessary. (j) The chain of command or delegation of authority to be followed by National Guard personnel acting under the provisions of the agreement. (k) The duties and authority that the National Guard personnel of each state may exercise. (l) Any other necessary and proper matters. (7) Agreements prepared under the provisions of this section are exempt from any general law pertaining to intergovernmental agreements. (8) As a condition precedent to an agreement becoming effective under this part, the agreement must be submitted to and receive the approval of the Office of the Florida Attorney General. The Florida Attorney General may delegate his or her approval authority to the appropriate attorney for the National Guard subject to those conditions which he or she decides are appropriate. Said delegation must be in writing. (a) The Florida Attorney General, or his or her agent in the National Guard, shall approve an agreement submitted under this part unless he or she finds that it is not in proper form, does not meet the requirements set forth in this part, or otherwise does not conform to the laws of this state. If the Attorney General disapproves an agreement, he or she shall provide a written explanation to the Adjutant General of the National Guard. (b) If the Florida Attorney General or the Attorney General’s authorized agent does not disapprove an agreement within 30 days after its submission, it is considered approved. (9) Whenever National Guard forces of any party state are engaged in the performance of duties in the area of drug interdiction, counter-drug activities, and demand reduction, pursuant to orders, they shall not be held personally liable for any acts or omissions which occur during the performance of their duty.

F.S. 250.536 Responsibilities.

(1) Nothing in this compact shall be construed as a waiver of any benefits, privileges, immunities, or rights otherwise provided for National Guard personnel performing duty pursuant to Title 32, U.S.C., nor shall anything in this compact be construed as a waiver of coverage provided for under the Federal Tort Claim Act. In the event that National Guard personnel performing counter-drug activities do not receive the rights, benefits, privileges, and immunities otherwise provided for National Guard personnel, the following provisions shall apply: (a) Whenever National Guard forces of any responding state are engaged in another state in carrying out the purposes of this compact, the members thereof so engaged shall have the same powers, duties, rights, privileges, and immunities as members of National Guard forces of the requesting states. The requesting state shall save and hold members of the National Guard forces of responding states harmless from civil liability, except as otherwise provided herein, for acts or omissions which occur in the performance of their duty while engaged in carrying out the purposes of this compact, whether responding forces are serving the requesting state within the borders of the responding state or are attached to the requesting state for purposes of operational control. (b) Subject to the provisions of this compact, all liability that may arise under the laws of the requesting state or the responding state, on account of or in connection with a request for assistance or support shall be assumed and borne by the requesting state. (c) Any responding state rendering aid or assistance pursuant to this compact shall be reimbursed by the requesting state for any loss or damage to or expense incurred in the operation of any equipment answering a request for aid, and for the cost of the materials, transportation, and maintenance of National Guard personnel and equipment incurred in connection with such request, provided that nothing herein contained shall prevent any responding state from assuming such loss, damage, expense, or other cost. (d) Unless there is a written agreement to the contrary, each party shall provide, in the same amounts and manner as if they were on duty within their state for pay and allowances of the personnel of its National Guard units while engaged without the state pursuant to this compact and while going to and returning from such duty pursuant to this compact. (e) Each party state providing for the payment of compensation and death benefits to injured members and the representatives of deceased members of its National Guard forces, in case such members sustain injuries or are killed within their own state, shall provide for the payment of compensation and death benefits in the same manner and on the same terms in the event such members sustain injury or are killed while rendering assistance or support pursuant to this compact. Such benefits and compensation shall be deemed items of expense reimbursable pursuant to the compact. (2) Officers and enlisted personnel of the National Guard performing duties subject to proper orders pursuant to this compact shall be subject to and governed by the provisions of their home state code of military justice, whether they are performing duties within or without their home state. In the event that any National Guard member commits, or is suspected of committing, a criminal offense while performing duties pursuant to this compact without the member’s home state, he or she may be returned immediately to his or her home state and said home state shall be responsible for any disciplinary action to be taken. However, nothing in this section shall abrogate the general criminal jurisdiction of the state in which the offense occurred.

F.S. 250.537 Delegation.

Nothing in this compact shall be construed to prevent the Governor of a party state from delegating any of his or her responsibilities or authority respecting the National Guard, provided that such delegation is otherwise in accordance with law. For purposes of this compact, however, the Governor shall not delegate the power to request assistance from another state.

F.S. 250.538 Limitations.

Nothing in this compact shall: (1) Authorize or permit National Guard units or personnel to be placed under the operational control of any person not having the National Guard rank or status required by law for the command in question. (2) Deprive a properly convened court of jurisdiction over an offense or a defendant merely because of the fact that the National Guard, while performing duties pursuant to this compact, was utilized in achieving an arrest or indictment.

F.S. 250.539 Construction and severability.

This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes thereof. The provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this compact is declared to be contrary to the Constitution of the United States or of any state or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of any state participating herein, the compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining party states and in full force and effect as to the state affected as to all severable matters.

F.S. 250.540 Purposes.

The purposes of this compact are to: (1) Provide for mutual aid among the party states in the utilization of the National Guard to cope with emergencies. (2) Permit and encourage a high degree of flexibility in the deployment of National Guard forces in the interest of efficiency. (3) Maximize the effectiveness of the National Guard in those situations which call for its utilization under this compact. (4) Provide protection for the rights of National Guard personnel when serving in other states on emergency duty.

F.S. 250.541 Entry into force and withdrawal.

F.S. 250.542 Definitions; mutual aid.

(1) As used in this compact: (a) “Emergency” means an occurrence or condition, temporary in nature, in which police and other public safety officials and locally available National Guard forces are, or may reasonably be expected to be, unable to cope with substantial and imminent danger to the public safety. (b) “Requesting state” means the state whose Governor requests assistance in coping with an emergency. (c) “Responding state” means the state furnishing aid or requested to furnish aid. (2) Upon request of the Governor of a party state for assistance in an emergency, the Governor of a responding state shall have authority under this compact to send without the borders of his or her state and place under the temporary command of the appropriate National Guard or other military authorities of the requesting state all or any part of the National Guard forces of his or her state as he or she may deem necessary, and the exercise of the Governor’s discretion in this regard shall be conclusive. (3) The Governor of a party state may withhold the National Guard forces of his or her state from such use and recall any forces or part or member thereof previously deployed in a requesting state. (4) Whenever National Guard forces of any party state are engaged in another state in carrying out the purposes of this compact, the members thereof so engaged shall have the same powers, duties, rights, privileges, and immunities as members of National Guard forces in such other state. The requesting state shall hold members of the National Guard forces of the responding states harmless from civil liability for acts or omissions in good faith which occur in the performance of their duty while engaged in carrying out the purposes of this compact, whether the responding forces are serving the requesting state within its borders or are in transit to or from such service. (5) Subject to the provisions of subsections (6), (7), and (8), all liability that may arise under the laws of the requesting state, the responding state, or a third state on account of or in connection with a request for aid, shall be assumed and borne by the requesting state. (6) Any responding state rendering aid pursuant to this compact shall be reimbursed by the requesting state for any loss or damage to, or expense incurred in the operation of any equipment answering a request for aid, and for the cost of materials, transportation, and maintenance of National Guard personnel and equipment incurred in connection with such request, provided that nothing herein contained shall prevent any responding state from assuming such loss, damage, expense, or other cost. (7) Each party state shall provide, in the same amounts and manner as if they were on duty within their state, for the pay and allowances of the personnel of its National Guard units while engaged without the state pursuant to this compact and while going to and returning from such duty pursuant to this compact. Such pay and allowances shall be deemed items of expense reimbursable under subsection (6) by the requesting state. (8) Each party state providing for the payment of compensation and death benefits to injured members and the representatives of deceased members of its National Guard forces in case such members sustain injuries or are killed within their own state shall provide for the payment of compensation and death benefits in the same manner and on the same terms in case such members sustain injury or are killed while rendering aid pursuant to this compact. Such compensation and death benefits shall be deemed items of expense reimbursable pursuant to subsection (6).

F.S. 250.543 Delegation.

F.S. 250.544 Limitations.

Nothing in this compact shall: (1) Expand or add to the functions of the National Guard, except with respect to the jurisdictions within which such functions may be performed. (2) Authorize or permit National Guard units to be placed under the field command of any person not having the military or National Guard rank or status required by law for the field command position in question. (3) Authorize or permit the use of military force by the National Guard of the State of Florida at any place outside the State of Florida except in an emergency for which the President is authorized by law to call into federal service the militia, or for any purpose for which the use of the Army or the Air Force would in the absence of express statutory authorization be prohibited under 18 U.S.C. s. 1385. When requested to render mutual aid or exercises and training for mutual aid, the National Guard shall take such action as is necessary to provide and make available the resources covered by this compact in accordance with the terms thereof, provided that it is understood that the National Guard when rendering aid may withhold resources to the extent necessary to provide reasonable protection for the state. The National Guard shall afford to the emergency forces of any other member state, while operating within its state limits under the terms and conditions of this compact, the same powers (except those of arrest), duties, rights, and privileges as are afforded forces of the state in which they are performing emergency services. Emergency forces will continue under the command and control of the National Guard regular leaders, but the organizational units will come under the operations control of the Adjutant General of the state receiving assistance. Under no circumstances will the assisting member states use force within the boundaries of the other states without express federal authority. The assisting member states may assist in the support of a state using authorized police powers within its own boundaries but will not participate as part of the state police force without express federal authority. The assisting member state shall not be used to suppress riots or tumults or provide direct support to these activities without federal authority.

F.S. 250.545 Construction and severability.

This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes thereof. The provisions of this compact shall be severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any state or of the United States or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of any state participating herein, the compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining party states and in full force and effect as to the state affected as to all severable matters.

F.S. 250.546 Payment of liability to responding state.

Upon presentation of a claim therefor by an appropriate authority of a state whose National Guard forces have aided this state pursuant to the compact, any liability of this state pursuant to this compact shall be paid out of the General Revenue Fund.

F.S. 250.547 Status, rights, and benefits of forces engaged pursuant to compact.

In accordance with this compact, members of the National Guard forces of this state shall be deemed to be in state service at all times when engaged pursuant to this compact, and shall be entitled to all rights and benefits provided pursuant to the laws of this state.

F.S. 250.548 Injury or death while going to or returning from duty.

All benefits to be paid under the foregoing compact shall include any injury or death sustained while going to or returning from such duty.

F.S. 250.549 Authority of responding state required to relieve from assignment or reassign officers.

Nothing in the foregoing compact shall authorize or permit state officials or military officers of the requesting state to relieve from assignment or reassign officers or noncommissioned officers of National Guard units of the responding state without authorization by the appropriate authorities of the responding state.

F.S. 250.905 Penalty.

In addition to any other relief or penalty provided by state or federal law, a person is liable for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 per violation if that person violates any provision of this chapter affording protections to members of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Reserve Forces, or the National Guard or any provision of federal law affording protections to such servicemembers over which a state court has concurrent jurisdiction under s. 250.82.

F.S. 250.4815 Professional license of servicemember not to expire while member on federal active duty.

A professional license issued in the state to any member of the Florida National Guard or the United States Armed Forces Reserves shall not expire while the member is serving on federal active duty and shall be extended for up to 90 days after his or her return from federal active duty. If the license is renewed during the 90-day period after his or her return from federal active duty, the member shall only be responsible for normal fees and activities relating to renewal of the license and shall not be charged any additional costs such as, but not limited to, late fees or delinquency fees. The member must present to the authority issuing the professional license a copy of his or her official military orders or a written verification from the member’s commanding officer before the end of the 90-day period in order to qualify for the extension.

F.S. 250.5201 Stay of proceedings where troops called out into state active duty or active duty.

(1) Any civil action or proceeding in any court which involves a person called into state active duty as defined in subsection (3) may be stayed by the court during such service and for a period thereafter not exceeding 30 days. (2) The stay may be granted by the court on its own motion, and shall be granted upon the motion of a plaintiff or defendant unless, in the opinion of the court, the ability to prosecute or defend the action is not materially affected by reason of the movant’s state active duty. (3) Notwithstanding the definition in s. 250.01, “state active duty or active duty” as used in ss. 250.5201-250.5205 is limited to service that exceeds 17 days and that is ordered by the Governor. (4) Before a soldier is entitled to any of the provisions of this section, that soldier must furnish to the affected creditor, landlord, court, or other affected person a copy of his or her orders, together with a written statement from the Adjutant General of the State of Florida, or his or her designee, that the soldier has served continuously on state orders for the period commencing with the date of the orders through the date of the statement. The court may require the soldier to furnish a recertification every 30 days thereafter, which shall be furnished to the soldier by the Adjutant General upon request.

F.S. 250.5202 Actions for rent or possession by landlord during state active duty.

An eviction, distress action, or requirement for deposit of accrued rent into the registry of the court, as provided in part II of chapter 83, may not proceed against any member who is called into state active duty during the period of such state active duty or active duty if the servicemember has given written notice to the affected landlord with regard to any premises where the agreed upon rent does not exceed $1,200 per month and where the rental unit is occupied chiefly as a residential dwelling by the servicemember, the servicemember’s spouse, or dependent. The court may on its own motion and shall, on application, stay the proceedings for not longer than 3 months unless, in the opinion of the court, the ability of the tenant to pay the agreed rent has not been materially affected by reason of state active duty or active duty.

F.S. 250.5204 Installment contracts for purchase of property; penalty.

(1) If a creditor has received a deposit or installment of the purchase price under an installment contract for the purchase of real or personal property from a member of the Florida National Guard who, after the date of the payment of such deposit or installment, is called into state active duty or active duty and has provided written notice to the creditor of the state active duty or active duty, the creditor may not exercise any right or option under such contract to rescind or terminate the contract or resume possession of the property for nonpayment of any installment due, or for any other breach of the terms of the contract occurring during the period of state active duty or active duty, except upon affirmative authorization by a court of competent jurisdiction. (2) Upon hearing such action, the court may order the repayment of prior installments or deposits, or any part thereof, as a condition of terminating the contract and resuming possession of the property, or may, on its own motion, and shall, on application to it by such person in state active duty or active duty or some person on his or her behalf, order a stay of proceedings, unless, in the opinion of the court, the ability of the defendant to comply with the terms of the contract is not materially affected by reason of such service. Alternatively, the court may otherwise dispose of the case as is in the interest of all parties.

F.S. 250.5205 Mortgages, trust deeds, etc.; penalty.

(1) In any proceeding commenced during the period of state active duty or active duty to enforce obligations secured by mortgage, trust deed, or other security upon real or personal property owned prior to the commencement of a period of state active duty or active duty, the court may on its own motion stay the proceedings or otherwise dispose of the case as is equitable to conserve the interests of all parties. The court shall stay the proceedings upon the application of a person or agent of the person in state active duty or active duty unless, in the opinion of the court, the ability of the defendant to comply with the terms of the obligations is not materially affected. (2) A sale, foreclosure, or seizure of property for nonpayment of any sum due under any obligation, or for breach of the terms of such obligation, is not valid if made during the period of state active duty or active duty or within 30 days thereafter, unless upon an order previously granted by the court and a return made to and approved by the court. (3) This section applies only to obligations secured by a mortgage, trust deed, or other security in the nature of a mortgage upon real or personal property owned by a person in state active duty or active duty at the commencement of the period of state active service and still owed by her or him, which obligation originated prior to such person’s period of state active service.

F.S. 250.5206 Family Readiness Program.

The Department of Military Affairs shall establish the Family Readiness Program headed by a program director and based on the United States Department of Defense National Guard and Reserve Family Readiness Strategic Plan 2004-2005 initiative. (1) PROGRAM PURPOSE. — The purpose of the program is to provide need-based financial assistance to eligible servicemembers of the Florida National Guard and United States Reserve Forces, including the Coast Guard Reserves, who are on active duty serving in the Global War on Terrorism and who are federally deployed or participating in state operations for homeland defense, and eligible families of such servicemembers. (2) FUNDING. — Implementation of the program is subject to appropriations expressly provided for this purpose. (3) ELIGIBLE SERVICES. — Program funds may be used in emergency situations to purchase critically needed services, including, but not limited to, reasonable living expenses, housing, vehicles, equipment or renovations necessary to meet disability needs, and health care. (4) ELIGIBILITY. — (a) The following persons are eligible to receive financial assistance from the Family Readiness Program: 1. Florida residents who are members of the Florida National Guard and United States Reserve Forces, including the Coast Guard Reserves, who are on active duty serving in the Global War on Terrorism and who are federally deployed or participating in state operations for homeland defense; and 2. Florida residents who are designated as beneficiaries on the United States Department of Defense Form 93, or who are otherwise dependents, of a servicemember eligible under subparagraph 1. and who are family members of such servicemember. (b) An eligible person may request financial assistance from the Family Readiness Program for 120 days following termination of the eligible servicemember’s military orders for qualifying service and return to home of record. (5) REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE; REVIEW; AWARDS. — Requests for assistance shall be validated and assessed at the local level by a federal Family Center Support Specialist stationed at a state armory or at a reserve facility by a designated official. Recommendations subsequent to assessment and validation shall be forwarded to the program director, who shall review the recommendations for eligibility, appropriateness, and sufficiency of documentation. The Adjutant General or his or her designee shall receive the recommendations from the program director and is authorized to award funds pursuant to subsections (3) and (4). (6) AUDITS. — The inspector general of the department shall conduct a semiannual review and an annual audit of the program. (7) ANNUAL REPORT. — The department shall maintain sufficient data to provide an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature on the servicemembers and families served under the program, the types of services provided, and the allocation of funds spent. (8) RULES. — The department is authorized to adopt rules necessary to implement this program, including procedures for applying for assistance, qualifying services, and criteria for eligibility.

F.S. 250.5395 Provision of training and facilities to support illegal drug reduction.

Subject to an annual appropriation, the Florida National Guard shall provide training, training support, and facilities to facilitate the state’s attainment of its goals to reduce the supply of and demand for illegal drugs.

Source: FL Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/Chapter250/AllFetched: 7/8/2026