Florida 2025 Regular Session Status: In Committee 4 D cosponsors

HB 821 — Business Development Incentives for Veterans and Military Spouses

Last action — Died in State Affairs Committee

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2025 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Business Development Incentives for Veterans and Military Spouses; Requires DOS to waive specified fees for certain businesses established by veteran or military spouse; provides eligibility & registration requirements; provides for rulemaking & interagency cooperation; provides reporting requirements.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

99 added · 163 removed

99 line(s) added, 163 removed.

→
Previous
Latest
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 821 2025 A bill to be entitled An act relating to business development incentives for veterans and military spouses;
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 821 2025 A bill to be entitled An act relating to business development incentives for veterans and military spouses;
providing a short title;
amending s.
295.187, F.S.;
defining the term "veteran-owned or military spouse-owned business";
providing for contracting preferences for such businesses;
providing a short title;
providing legislative findings and intent;
providing eligibility requirements for the fee waivers;
providing eligibility and registration requirements for the fee waivers;
providing specified tax exemptions for certain businesses;
requiring the Department of Revenue to develop procedures for such exemptions;
providing that such exemptions apply for a specified period for certain businesses relocating to this state;
establishing the Veteran and Military Spouse Entrepreneurship Program in consultation with the Department of Commerce;
providing requirements for the program;
requiring that certain businesses receive expedited processing for certain certifications;
Page 1 of 6 CODING:
Section 1.
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
hb821-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 821 2025 Section 1.
Paragraph (d) of subsection (3) of section 295.187, Florida Statutes, is redesignated as paragraph (e), subsection (4) is amended, and a new paragraph (d) is added to subsection (3), to read:
295.187 Florida Veteran Business Enterprise Opportunity Act.— (3) DEFINITIONS.—For the purpose of this section, the term:
(d) "Veteran-owned or military spouse-owned business" has the same meaning as in s.
295.189(1).
(4) VENDOR PREFERENCE.— (a) A state agency, when considering two or more bids, proposals, or replies for the procurement of commodities or contractual services, at least one of which is from a certified veteran business enterprise or veteran-owned or military spouse- owned business, which are equal with respect to all relevant considerations, including price, quality, and service, shall award such procurement or contract to the certified veteran business enterprise or veteran-owned or military spouse-owned business.
(b) Notwithstanding s.
287.057(12), if a veteran business enterprise or veteran-owned or military spouse-owned business entitled to the vendor preference under this section and one or more businesses entitled to this preference or another vendor Page 2 of 6 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
hb821-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 821 2025 preference provided by law submit bids, proposals, or replies for procurement of commodities or contractual services which are equal with respect to all relevant considerations, including price, quality, and service, the state agency shall award the procurement or contract to the business having the smallest net worth.
(c) Political subdivisions of the state are encouraged to offer a similar consideration to businesses certified under this section.
Section 2.
(b) The Legislature recognizes the challenges of frequent relocations and economic instability faced by many military spouses.
(b) The Legislature recognizes the challenges of frequent Page 1 of 4 CODING:
(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that this act attracts and supports veteran-owned and military spouse-owned businesses by providing financial and operational incentives.
Page 3 of 6 CODING:
hb821-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 821 2025 (3) DEFINITIONS.—For the purpose of this section, the term:
hb821-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 821 2025 relocations and economic instability faced by many military spouses.
(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that this act attracts and supports veteran-owned and military spouse-owned businesses by providing incentives.
(3) DEFINITIONS.—For the purpose of this section, the term:
(c) "Veteran-owned or military spouse-owned business" means a business entity that is at least 51 percent owned, controlled, or managed by one or more veterans or military spouses.
(c) "Veteran-owned or military spouse-owned business" means a business entity:
1.
That employs 200 or fewer permanent full-time employees;
Show all 90 changed rows (50 more)
Previous
Latest
2.
That, together with its affiliates, has a net worth of $5 million or less or, if a sole proprietorship, has a net worth of $5 million or less including personal and business investments;
3.
That is organized to engage in commercial transactions;
4.
That is domiciled in this state;
5.
That is at least 51 percent owned and operated by one or more veterans or military spouses who are residents of this state;
Page 2 of 4 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
hb821-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 821 2025 6.
The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more veterans or military spouses;
and 7.
That has a professional license, if required by the industry, in the name of a veteran or military spouse who owns the business entity.
For veterans, a DD Form 214 or another acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department of Veterans' Affairs;
For veterans, a DD Form 214 or another acceptable form of identification as specified by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs;
For military spouses, verification of a military spouse relationship and that the other spouse is on active duty.
For military spouses, verification of a military spouse relationship and that the other spouse is on active duty or a veteran.
(c) The fee waivers shall apply to veteran-owned or Page 4 of 6 CODING:
(c) The fee waivers shall apply to veteran-owned or military spouse-owned businesses established or certified between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2030.
(5) ADMINISTRATION.—The Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Department of State shall:
(a) Develop rules for administering this section.
Page 3 of 4 CODING:
hb821-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 821 2025 military spouse-owned businesses established or certified between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2030.
hb821-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 821 2025 (b) Ensure interagency cooperation for seamless implementation of this section.
(5) TAX EXEMPTIONS.— (a) Eligible veteran-owned and military spouse-owned businesses shall receive:
(6) ANNUAL REPORTING.—Beginning December 31, 2025, and each December 31 thereafter, the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature that includes:
1.
A 5-year exemption from the state corporate income tax and state franchise tax.
2.
A one-time sales tax exemption on equipment and supplies directly related to its business operations.
(b) The Department of Revenue shall establish procedures for claiming these exemptions.
(c) For businesses relocating to this state, tax exemptions shall apply for 5 years after the date of certification.
(6) VETERAN AND MILITARY SPOUSE ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM.— (a) The Department of Veterans' Affairs, in conjunction with the Department of Commerce, shall establish the Veteran and Military Spouse Entrepreneurship Program, including an application process and eligibility criteria.
The program shall include:
1.
Personalized business mentorship and consulting services.
2.
Assistance with obtaining startup capital through state and federal funding programs.
3.
Educational resources, including workshops on business Page 5 of 6 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
hb821-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 821 2025 planning, marketing, and regulatory compliance.
(b) Priority shall be given to businesses that veteran- owned or military spouse-owned.
(7) EXPEDITED PROCESSING.—Veteran-owned and military spouse-owned businesses shall receive expedited processing for certifications.
(8) ADMINISTRATION.—The Department of Veterans' Affairs, the Department of Revenue, and the Department of State shall:
(a) Develop rules for administering this section.
(b) Ensure interagency cooperation for seamless implementation of this section.
(9) ANNUAL REPORTING.—The Department of Veterans' Affairs shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature that includes:
Section 3.
Section 2.
This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.
This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.
Page 6 of 6 CODING:
Page 4 of 4 CODING:
hb821-00
hb821-01-c1
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (2)

Action History

  1. Died in State Affairs Committee

  2. Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration

  3. Now in State Affairs Committee

  4. Referred to State Affairs Committee

  5. 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)

  6. CS Filed

  7. Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)

  8. Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee

  9. Favorable with CS by Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee

  10. PCS added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda

  11. 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)

  12. Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee

  13. Referred to State Affairs Committee

  14. Referred to Ways & Means Committee

  15. Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee

  16. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

3 sponsors · 2 co-sponsors · 159 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (2)

Not signed on (159)

159 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 159 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Favorable (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee)

Passed 17 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 10001
Democrat 5000
Unaffiliated 2000
Total 17001
% of votes cast 94%0%0%6%
How each member voted (18)
Member Party Vote
Caruso — Yea
Temple — Yea
Campbell, Daryl Democrat Yea
Daley, Dan Democrat Yea
Dunkley, Lisa Democrat Yea
Gantt, Ashley Viola Democrat Yea
Harris, Jennifer "Rita" Democrat Yea
Black, Dean Republican Yea
Chamberlin, Ryan Republican Yea
Cobb, Nan Republican Yea
Gerwig, Anne Republican Yea
Gossett-Seidman, Peggy Republican Not Voting
Griffitts Jr., Philip Wayne "Griff" Republican Yea
Holcomb, Jeff Republican Yea
Johnson, Chad Republican Yea
Kendall, Kim Republican Yea
Michael, Kiyan Republican Yea
Rizo, Alex Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

finance veterans labor
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB 821 do?
Business Development Incentives for Veterans and Military Spouses; Requires DOS to waive specified fees for certain businesses established by veteran or military spouse; provides eligibility & registration requirements; provides for rulemaking & interagency cooperation; provides reporting requirements.
Who sponsors HB 821?
HB 821 is sponsored by Eskamani, Dr. Anna V. (Democrat), Campbell, Daryl (Democrat), Rayner, Michele K. (Democrat), Gantt, Ashley Viola (Democrat), and Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee.
What is the current status of HB 821?
This bill died with 2025 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 821?
Track HB 821 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on HB 821

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of HB 821

Last checked for changes 2 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →