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FloridaSB 4742026SenateWALLET

Military Affairs

Sponsored By: Tom A. Wright (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationGovernmental Oversight and AccountabilityAppropriationsRulesHouse Calendar

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

More financial help for Guard families

Beginning July 1, 2026, more Florida Guard families can seek help through the Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Program. Newly covered members are traditional drilling Guardsmen on state active duty or Title 32 duty. They must not otherwise qualify for assistance available to Title 10 servicemembers and must show financial need. A current spouse, dependent children, or other beneficiaries named in military service records can also apply and receive help. Assistance depends on available funds; the law sets no payment amount.

More training leave for public employees

Beginning July 1, 2026, qualifying Florida public officers and employees get leave for ordered military or National Guard training. Commissioned reserve officers, reserve enlisted members, and Guard members keep their pay, vacation leave, time, and efficiency rating. Training orders can come under military or naval training rules or applicable general law. The standard paid-leave cap remains 240 working hours in a 12-month period. Local governments can approve more hours by ordinance or resolution, but must fund the extra pay without state money.

Military pay protection requires one order

Beginning July 1, 2026, public officers and employees get full pay for their first 30 days of qualifying federal military leave. Service must last at least 90 consecutive days under one order, narrowing access to this pay protection. After 30 days, employers can supplement military pay to maintain the salary earned before active duty. Employers must continue health insurance and other benefits as required by federal military reemployment law.

New retirement rules for Guard leaders

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law updates required Senior Management Service Class retirement coverage for named uniformed Military Affairs positions. It covers the Adjutant General, Army and Air Assistant Adjutants General, State Quartermaster, Human Resources and Legislative Affairs directors, Inspector General, Executive Officer, and two Special Projects Officers. These officials can choose the Senior Management Service Optional Annuity Program instead. The law removes the 10-position cap and retains February 1, 1987, as the retirement provision's historical effective date. It also removes the Adjutant General's specified duties to administer the youth About Face and adult Forward March programs.

Guard assistance gets new public oversight

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Florida National Guard Foundation takes over assistance administration, including reviewing requests and deciding approvals. Its board follows its bylaws and considers financial hardship, quality of life, major family needs, and authorized assistance. These factors replace the prior deployment-related economic-impact test; review does not guarantee approval. An annual external audit replaces quarterly financial reviews, and the Foundation must publish it online and give it to Military Affairs. The Inspector General can conduct additional reviews on request. The board must review bylaws annually and report to Military Affairs, subject to the Adjutant General's approval.

Broader military leave for public officials

Beginning July 1, 2026, military-leave rules expressly cover Coast Guard and Space Force service and no longer require foreign war. Florida state and county officials can be granted leave when called to active U.S. service by any order. That leave is not guaranteed. The active-service definition covers Armed Forces and reserve duty, Florida National Guard duty, and qualifying Public Health Service duty. Lawful absences for sickness, wounds, leave, or other lawful causes also count, and return-to-duty rules align with the expanded coverage.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Tom A. Wright

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Governmental Oversight and Accountability

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 340 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 0

House vote • 3/12/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 105 • No: 0

House vote • 3/9/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 110 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/26/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/24/2026

Rules Vote

Yes: 22 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/12/2026

Appropriations Vote

Yes: 18 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/26/2026

Governmental Oversight and Accountability Vote

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2026-92

    5/26/2026

  2. Approved by Governor

    5/22/2026

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    5/11/2026

  4. Ordered engrossed, then enrolled

    3/17/2026Senate

  5. CS passed as amended; YEAS 105, NAYS 0

    3/12/2026House

  6. Amendment 419116 Concur

    3/12/2026House

  7. Added to Senate Message List

    3/12/2026House

  8. In Messages

    3/12/2026House

  9. CS passed as amended; YEAS 39 NAYS 0 -SJ 836

    3/12/2026Senate

  10. Concurred in House amendment(s) as amended (656697) -SJ 836

    3/12/2026Senate

  11. Amendment(s) to House amendment(s) adopted (419116) -SJ 835

    3/12/2026Senate

  12. In returning messages

    3/9/2026Senate

  13. CS passed as amended; YEAS 110, NAYS 0

    3/9/2026House

  14. Read 3rd time

    3/9/2026House

  15. Added to Third Reading Calendar

    3/9/2026House

  16. Amendment 656697 adopted

    3/9/2026House

  17. Read 2nd time

    3/9/2026House

  18. 1st Reading (Engrossed 1)

    3/5/2026House

  19. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/9/2026)

    3/5/2026House

  20. Bill referred to House Calendar

    3/5/2026House

  21. In Messages

    2/26/2026House

  22. Immediately certified -SJ 463

    2/26/2026Senate

  23. CS passed as amended; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 447

    2/26/2026Senate

  24. Read 3rd time -SJ 447

    2/26/2026Senate

  25. Amendment(s) adopted (514888) -SJ 447

    2/26/2026Senate

Bill Text

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