Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security — Closed Captions

>> Good afternoon, everybody. Glad you're all here. The committee and military veterans affairs space and domestic security will now come to order those for you. Please call the roll. >> Chair right here. Vice Chair Truenow here, Senator Burgess, Senator Jones, Senator Sherry. >> Quorum present. Thank you very much. That's all please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance brought to us today by Senator Sharif. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Brought to you by Danny Burgess. What what we are awaiting. That's okay. Okay. Don't don't forget that. We have to remember to silence any electronic devices that we have. And if anyone wishes to speak, they should feel a bit of a card and give it to one of the surgeons who will bring it up to us. Alright, let's get into this year where we want to do do want to you're on the role. You know, okay, see what we're going. And so we're going to take up tab 6. Yes, Im 17, 14, no tax dollars for terrorist acts which was going to be presented by Senator Martin and Senator Truenow is going to be presenting on his behalf. So senator, to know you're recognized to explain the bill, please. >> Thank you. Chair members sent Memorial 17 14 urges the United States Congress to pass HR to 60 the no tax Dollars for Cares Act which would require the federal government to implement a strategy to prevent U.S. taxpayer funds from benefiting that element. Oil states that the United States government and non-governmental organizations are sending over 40 million dollars per year per week into Afghanistan where funds ultimately benefit that element. Reports indicates these funds are laundered through various channels, allowing Taliban leaders to take a portion and direct assistance to their supporters. That element continues to harbor in cooperate with known terrorist organizations, including Qaeda Tehreek E Taliban. Heck, what Haqqani network? The memorial outlines the Taliban's long history of human rights abuse, including musings civilians as human shields, mass killings, gang rapes, public hangs as well as serve Rep Re repression, women's rights, including bans on girls, education in restrictions on the women's employment in public presence. This memorial is to formally urged Congress to pass HR 2.60, to stop U.S. financial assistance from reaching their supporting the Taliban. And that is the memorial. >> Thank you very much. Senator Kerr know are there any questions on the bill seeing none? Are there any appearance forms? No, right. No, for an appearance form. So let's go in. Is there any debate and wish to debate this seeing none senator to know you're recognized to close on this bill went close. Wave close. Los please call the roll on SM 17 14. >> Senator Burgess, Senator Jones, Senator Sharif vice chair. True now. Yes chair, right? >> Yes. And by your vote SM 17, 14 is reported favorably. Thank you very much. Alright, let's jump. We're going move up to tab 2 SB 1512, on space, Florida by Senator Burgess. Senator Burgess. You're recognized to explain the bill. >> Thank you, Mister Chair. I'm honored to carry the space Florida bill for the 2026 legislative session. I think this bill really help space Florida take off to a whole new hold launching pad and by exempting tangible personal property from sales and use tax nation. It's an expansion of an exemption that's currently in law to allow for anyone owned by a federal state or local government entity located in this state used by the LESSEE solely in connection with the semiconductor defense or aristea contract programs or projects at least under written lease license or similar agreement with federal, state or local government entity that owns the machinery equipment in number 2, allowing space Florida to not be subject to competitive bidding when purchasing professional or construction services and you cannot and state funds are not utilized in that process. I think it just put your the opening, but that's the bill. That's it. Okay. Are there any questions of the bill presented so well by Senator Burton? A little bit of that. Okay. Are there any appearance forms just are let's see young lady by the name of Lindsay peers representing Space. Florida is waiving in support. You want to speak no and looks like a cult. A deal from Florida Chamber of Commerce right over there, sir. And he is way speaking in support. Thank you, sir. Thanks for being here. Is there any debate members? Is there any debate, Senator Burgess, you're recognized to close on the bill a do a better job. My close take some time. This legislation actually will help grow and strengthen Florida's aerospace industry. That's a major part of Florida's economy. Since 2019 alone, Florida has invested over 541 million dollars and space port infrastructure with a total of 2.4 billion in cumulative investment for aviation and space projects. Other states are currently investing large amounts of money to try to compete with Florida. This bill is imperative to help make sure that Florida is still the leading edge of not just launching, but also all that is now coming along with with the space industry and even the private partnerships that we see through SpaceX or Blue Origin, another company companies and corporations. So we want to make sure that we're always ahead of the game. This out of this world bill will help us do just that. And for those reasons, I ask for your favorable support by space, Florida Lakes. But I still in their sponsor as we move forward based on that conclusion, they're still here. They're still here. You're good to have a choice now. I'm doing good shape. All right. Thank you. Senator Burgess lows. Please call the Roll on SB 1512. >> Senator Burgess, Senator Jones senator is very yes. Vice chair. True now chair, right? >> Yes. And by your Vote SB 1512, is reported favorably. All right. Senator Burgess, let's take Up Tab 5 SB 5060, 56 and designation of the official state flagship. Thank you. And I did not know even had a ship. So looking forward to hearing this. >> That last bill presentation senators as an example of what happens when you have too many irons in the fire. Yeah. So now I'm gonna lock it in. Dialing in and talk about the sex SS American Victory. It's a World War, 2 merchant vessel and we would like to designate that vessel is Florida's flagship. It would replace the Western Union which is a derelict schooner currently anchored in Key West. The SS American victory is one of only 4 operational World War. 2 merchant vessels left in the country. The SS American victory built in 1945. Saw service in World War. 2 in the Pacific Theater, the Korean War and the Vietnam while serving in the Korean War. The SS American Victory Repatriated 260 casualties, including 3 fallen Floridians Army private PC, white Marine Second Lieutenant Robert C Craig and Marine Private First Class Joseph P Jacobs. For the past. 25 years, the SS American Victory has been an important part of the Tampa waterfront and it's now a museum hosts over 30,000 visitors a year since 2002, it has been recognized as a national historic place. The ship is also a first responder training site in a tribute to those who served in the merchant Marine. If you want a flagship flagship is it's very simply designated by a state to represent its maritime heritage and history. And I believe that this ship does just that in many different ways. And that is the bill. >> Thank you, Senator Burgess, are there any questions on this bill? Senator Street, Senator Burgess? >> How do I get a cool bill that I have bills like this? Would you our chair? You're recognized. I would be proud of you. Co introduced it with me and we can run this bill together. Yeah. Okay. I can do that. Thank you. Will sail into the wild blue on blue yonder. Hopefully to the governor's desk for signature. The sounds like a plan. I would look to co introduce this Bill. Thank you, Senator. No, sir. >> Thank you, chair Senator Burgess. What was this entailed? Is there is there a fiscal to the state of Florida? >> The Senator Burgess, you're recognized. Go ahead. Thank you, sir. If this was to be displayed, maybe in the rotunda as a state symbol, which I believe the current flagship is that could be a cost to DMs to do just that. But there is no known fiscal impact. In fact, this would actually be potentially a great revenue-generating impact for the Tampa Bay region as being notice, our state's flagship could potentially draw more visitors and in turn creating more revenue for tourism for what? >> Certainly thank you, chairman. Is there any any restoration has to be done to this this vessel? >> You're recognized, sir. Thank you very much, Mr. Here know this vessel is is in great condition. I'm not saying that. I mean, it's a shift always needs to be painted in as an army guy. I don't know a lot about the painting a ship, but I know that it's a never ending process. I, you know, outside of the normal, a normal repair and work that would have to happen for for maintaining an operation like this. And it's in its seaworthiness, nothing new, nothing different. Nothing additional for naming our state's flagship. In fact, this museum in this nonprofit that runs it is a great example of why this ship should be designated as our flagship because there. >> They're well run well oiled and and their funding is is pretty good. All right. Parents forms none. So that leaves us to. Is there any debate? >> Seeing none. Senator Burgess, you're recognized to close on your Bill. Thank you. Thank you. Mister Chair. Just considering the present condition of the screen or Western Union. It's I think it's time to honor her is our former state flagship and designate the SS American victory as her successor. And that Bill will do just that. So please join me in your favorable support. Thank you very much. Senator Burgess Lewis. Please call the Roll on SB 1656. >> Senator Burgess. Yes. Senator Jones, senator issue grief. Yes. Vice chair truenow chair, right? >> Yes. And by your vote SB 1656. Is reported favorably. We're going to pass the chair over to our Vice Chair Truenow. Thank you, chair. Next. We'll take up tab one. Yes, Im 11. 86 on Florida. National Guard increased force structure by Senator Wright. Senator Wright, you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman ladies and gentlemen, this is the same memorial basically that have been bringing forth every year. This is the Senate Memorial, 11 86, which urges Congress to impel the United States National Guard Bureau to examine the resource allocations of the Florida National Guard and allow an increase in its force structure. We're currently allocated for 12,000 Guardsman for state of 23 million residents. The second to last ratio of guardsman to population of the 54 Guard National Guard units. This allocation of 12,000 Guardsmen is based on our state's population in 1958. And that's what it is. 1958. It's not a mistake. We must increase the number of guardsmen for the protection of Florida, which is had the 5th most declared state of emergencies over the last 70 years. We currently are under prepared for a large-scale disaster where we may be unable to receive Nash additional support from our neighboring states. The Florida National Guard is made up of many brave men and women who heavily rely on. And we that we rely on and we must ensure that they have the guardsman necessary to appropriately respond when called upon. And that is a memorial. Mister chair, thank you for your explanation. Questions on the bill. >> Seeing no questions or any appearance forms on the bill seeing no appearance forms. Any debate on the bill, senator, if you're recognized for debate. >> So first of all, I think that this is a great effort on the part of Senator Wright. And I know last session. I believe you talked about this at length and I think it's about time that it's been done. And I just wanted to say thank you for bringing up for and appreciate you. >> Thank you very much. Thank you for your comments. Seeing no award, any more debate on the bill. Senator Wright, you're recognized to close on your Bill. >> Thank you very much. Just just to bring it into perspective, based on our 23 million population, we should have about 20,000 positions allocated by the federal government in where we're sitting at about 12,000. There is a group that's going to be coming in to join our National Guard just being transferred here, which will bring us to about 13,500 positions filled. So I'm really happy for general Haas, but he does have these men and women coming to take up residency in a way, if you will, in the state of Florida. And with that, I ask for your favorable vote. Thank you, Senator Wright. >> Having closed on his Bill Lowes, please call the roll on SM 11 86. >> Senator Burgess, Senator Jones, Senator Chair Reef yet. Senator Wright. Yes, chair 2 now. >> By your vote SM 11, 86 is reported favorably. Next. We'll take up tab 3 Senate Bill 16. 0, 2, on housing for veterans by Senator Wright. Senator Wright, you're recognized to explain the bill. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman today in presenting Senate Bill 16, 0, 2, 16 for after this. After this bill. It which will follow in an attempt to provide landlords with an incentive to address veteran homelessness here in the state of Florida Senate Bill 16. 0, 2, creates the homes for Veterans. Property Management incentive pilot program within the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Otherwise known as Page FC for the county's Brevard Broward. This can be a Hillsborough and Santa Rosa counties. The bill directs Fhfc in conjunction with the local public housing authority and case managers assigned to the veterans to establish and oversee a vacancy, Relieve Trust Fund and a risk Mitigation Trust fund the applications for such trust funds and the documentation requirements for all processes of the pilot program. The pilot program provides that landlords may apply to the FHFC to receive funds from Vacancy Relief Trust Fund to hold a vacant dwelling for veteran up to 45 days and the risk management mitigation excuse me. Risk Mitigation Trust fund to recover property loss at the dwelling unit caused by the veteran which extends beyond the amount of deposit money up to $2000. And that is the bill. Mister Chair. Thank you. Questions on the bill. Senator Sharif, you're recognized for question. >> Senator Wright, I just wanted to know back a co-sponsor this bill with you, Senator. I absolutely yes. Thank you. >> Seeing no other questions. There are amendments on the bill. We'll take up Amendment bar code 925-6262, by Senator Wright. Senator Wright, you're recognized to explain the amendment. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman Amendment Bar Code 9, 2, 5, 6, 6, 2, changes language so that the Fhfc must partner in consultation not in conjunction with local public housing authority and case managers assigned to the veterans. It also clarifies the reference to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs not to be confused with the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs and that is the Amendment. Mister chair. Any questions on the amendment seeing none any appearance forms on the amendment. Any debate on the amendment seeing no debate. Senator Wright, you're recognized to close on the amendment. Will waive close, sir, all in favor of the amendment signify by saying Yay, yay. No, no opposed. It carries the amendment is adopted. >> Take up. Amendment Barcode. 1, 5, 6, 3, 4, 6, Senator Wright. You're recognized to explain the amendment. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman Amendment bar code number 15. 63. 46 is a technical amendment for line one. 31 of the bill. >> Any questions on the amendment seeing no questions. Any appearance, cards, no appearance cards in debate. No debate. Senator Wright, you're recognized to close on the amendment. Oh, waive close, sir. All those in favor of the amendment signify by saying Yay, yay. All those in oppose the amendment is adopted back on the bill as amendment. Are there any questions on the bill as amended seeing no questions, appearance cards? We have one. Matthew wasn't the Herndon in support waiving in support. Thank you. Debate on the bill as amended any debate seeing none. Senator Wright, you're recognized to close on the bill as amended. Thank you very much. I will waive close, Sir. Lowe's, please call the roll on S CS for SB 16. 0, 2, >> Senator Burgess, Senator Jones, Senator Chair Reef yet. Senator Wright? Yes, chair 2 now. Yes. >> By your vote CS for SB 16. 0, 2, is reported favorably. All right. We're going to take up tab 4 Senate Bill 16. 0, 4, on trust. Funds Vacancy Relief Trust Fund and Risk Management Trust Fund by Senator Wright. Senator Wright, you're recognized. >> Explain the bill. Thank you again. Mister Chairman Senate Bill 16. 0, 4, creates a vacancy Relief trust Fund in Risk Mitigation Trust fund within the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Again as known as FHFC to which the legislature appropriate funds for the purpose of implementing the homes for veterans Probert Property Management incentive pilot program created by the Senate bill 16. 0, 2, And that is the Bill, Mister Chair. >> Thank you, Senator Wright. Any questions on the bill? Senator Iif? >> Same question before I like to co-sponsor this bill as well. They recognize there you go. Thank you very much. You co-sponsor questions. >> There is one amendment take up amendment Barcode. 1, 4, 8, 4, 1, 0, by Senator Wright. Senator Wright, you're recognized to explain the amendment. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman Amendment Barcode 14, 84, 10 is a technical amendment for line. 34 of the bill and that is the Amendment. Mister chair. Any questions on the amendment? >> Seeing no questions. Are there any appearance forms seeing none? Any debate on the amendment seeing none. Senator Wright, you're recognized to close on the amendment. I will waive close. Please all in favor of amendment signify by saying Yay. Yay, no opposed. The amendment is adopted back on the Bill's amendment. Are there any questions on the bill as amended seeing none. Are there any appearance cards debate on the bill as amended seeing no debate. Senator Wright, you're recognized to close on the bill as amended. Thank you, Sir. I waive close Lowe's, please call the row. >> Aunts Cs for SB 16. 0, 4, >> Senator Burgess, Senator Jones, Senator Sharif yet Senator Wright. Yes. Vice vice chair for now. Yes. >> By your Vote CS for SB 16. 0, 4, is reported favorably. I'm returning the gavel back to chair. Right? And here comes. Thank you, Sir. Good job. >> Does any senator wish to be recorded on voting on any bills that came before the committee today? I think we're all here. Is there any objection seeing none. Let's see motion step because there are no. What is that wants to add? Is there any other business before the committee? So I think that we're going to say Senator Sharif moves we adjourn. >> Because, right, yeah, I knew we would seeing no objection. The motion adopted. We are adjourned