CS/HB 7133 Summary

• Authorizes local governing bodies to assist veterans with general discharges under honorable conditions in presenting claims and securing federal and state benefits and privileges

• Requires the Department of Veterans' Affairs to create a section on agriculture and farming opportunities in the 2016 and 2017 Florida Veterans' Benefits Guide, including information on federal, state, and local incentives, grants, and assistance programs

• Exempts veterans with general discharges under honorable conditions from initial licensing fees, initial application fees, and initial unlicensed activity fees for any license issued by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, with applications submitted within 60 months of discharge

• Mandates the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and Department of Military Affairs jointly conduct a pilot program by July 1, 2016 to provide onsite commercial driver license testing at Florida National Guard facilities for qualified National Guard members

• Requires the two departments to submit a report to the Legislature by June 30, 2017 on pilot program results; the pilot program provisions expire October 1, 2017