Rep. Daisy Morales Passes Legislation to Help Disabled Veterans Cover College Tuition
State Representative Daisy Morales presents the disabled veterans education bill in its final committee prior to its approval to head to the House Floor. Image: The Florida Channel (screen capture).
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – On Wednesday, the Florida House of Representatives unanimously passed Representatives Daisy Morales and Christopher Benjamin‘s HB 1347, a bill that would provide disabled veterans the opportunity to receive certain federal educational assistance benefits, with 118 yeas and 0 nays.
This bill would allow those veterans who are deemed eligible the opportunity to receive awards for the remaining cost of tuition & fees at state universities & Florida College System institutions.
“Our veterans deserve the best this country has to offer, and I will never stop fighting on their behalf,” says Representative Daisy Morales. “We will forever be indebted to these brave men and women who have answered the call to serve in our nation’s military. My bill help provide educational opportunities for disabled veterans.”
Orlando freshman lawmaker Morales filed House companion bill HB 1347 to State Senator Janet Cruz‘s Senate bill SB 782, on Educational Opportunities for Disabled Veterans, which was filed January 2021.
SB 782 passed its first committee, but stalled in the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education since March 10. Senator Cruz is also a member on the Subcommittee.
HB 1347 won bipartisan support in the House. Representative and veteran Christopher Benjamin signed on the bill as Rep. Morales’ prime sponsor, and many more Representatives joined as cosponsors: Robin Bartleman; James Bush; Kevin Chambliss; Fentrice Driskell; Anna Eskamani; Dianne Hart; Christine Hunschofsky; Sam Killebrew; Lauren Melo; Anika Omphroy; Michelle Salzman; Emily Slosberg; Geraldine Thompson; Susan Valdés; Matt Willhite and Ardian Zika.
The Florida House has forwarded HB 1347 to the Senate for further action.