CS/HB 873 - Military Affairs

• Removes requirement that certain military positions (military police chiefs, firefighter trainers, etc.) have the same salary and benefits as career service employees, allowing the Department of Military Affairs to set compensation independently.

• Establishes the Florida Code of Military Justice (FCMJ) adopting the 2019 Manual for Courts-Martial; specifies courts-martial are administrative proceedings in the executive branch, not judicial courts.

• Revises court-martial procedures including convening authority requirements, military judge qualifications, panel composition, and prohibited delegation of court-martial convening duties.

• Updates punishments available for general, special, and summary courts-martial ranging from written reprimands to confinement up to 367 days; clarifies nonjudicial punishment procedures and suspension requirements.

• Authorizes military judges to issue pretrial confinement warrants, subpoenas, and search authorizations; makes Florida National Guard members subject to FCMJ whether in civilian or military status; expands medical officer licensing provisions.

• Effective date: July 1, 2021