FL S0922

Revises the Governor's Medal of Merit definition of "exceptional meritorious service" to remove the requirement that acts be "of bravery" and instead require acts "above and beyond the level of duty normally required."

Creates the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame Council with seven honorably discharged veteran members appointed by state officials to select nominees for induction into the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame.

Authorizes additional ad valorem tax exemptions for servicemembers with homestead exemptions who were deployed in designated military operations (Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and Operation Odyssey Dawn).

Establishes the Military Base Protection Program and Florida Defense Reinvestment Grant Program within the Department of Economic Opportunity to support military installation retention and community economic diversification; consolidates multiple existing defense-related grant programs.

Creates Military Veterans and Servicemembers Court Programs, pretrial and misdemeanor pretrial veterans' treatment intervention programs, and probation conditions for veterans suffering from military-related mental illness, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse, or psychological problems.

Authorizes new special license plates for Combat Infantry Badge recipients, Vietnam War Veterans, Korean Conflict Veterans, and recipients of the Silver Star, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, and Air Force Cross.

Requires Florida College System institutions and state universities to provide priority course registration for veterans receiving GI Bill benefits and encourages independent postsecondary institutions to do the same.

Designates August 7 as "Purple Heart Day" and establishes multiple memorial highways in Florida counties.