FL S0404

Creates the Veterans Employment Small Business Grant Program within the Department of Veterans' Affairs, administered by Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., to provide grants to small businesses that hire honorably discharged or disabled veterans.

Defines eligible small businesses as independently owned, for-profit entities with 200 or fewer employees, $2 million or less in annual revenue, and 4+ years operating in Florida.

Authorizes one-time grants of $3,000 per veteran hired and $5,000 per disabled veteran hired, with a maximum of $25,000 per fiscal year per small business.

Requires participating businesses to employ qualifying veterans for at least 1 year, pay wages at 80 percent of state veteran median income, invest grant funds in business expansion, and not claim rehired veterans.

Appropriates $10 million in nonrecurring General Revenue Fund moneys for the 2016-2017 fiscal year, with up to $900,000 annually for grants and $100,000 for administrative costs; program terminates October 1, 2026 or when funds are expended, whichever occurs first.