SESSION WATCH
Died HOUSE · SESSION 2026

No. CS/HB 1041

Business Development Incentives for Veterans and Military Spouses
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SPONSOR
Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee; Gantt
FILED BY
Ashley Gantt — District 109, Democrat [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
DIED IN
Ways & Means Committee

Filed under Development & Land Use.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Business Development Incentives for Veterans and Military Spouses ; Requires DOS to waive specified fees for certain businesses; provides eligibility & registration requirements for such waivers; provides tax exemptions for certain businesses; provides eligibility requirements for such exemptions; requires DOR to establish procedures for claiming such exemptions; provides for rulemaking & interagency cooperation; provides annual reporting requirements.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Grants veterans and military spouses fee waivers and tax breaks.

The Department of State must waive all fees for new or relocating veteran and military spouse businesses. This applies to entities established or moved to Florida between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2031.

Eligible businesses receive a five-year corporate income tax exemption. The start date depends on ownership percentage and how long the business has operated in the state.

Businesses also get a one-time sales tax exemption on equipment and supplies directly related to their operations. The Department of Revenue will establish the specific procedures for claiming these exemptions.

To qualify, a business must be at least 51 percent owned and operated by a veteran or military spouse. It must also have 200 or fewer full-time employees and a net worth of $5 million or less.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Fee Waiver majors. 295.189(4)(a)

AICreates a mandatory fee waiver for new and relocating veteran and military spouse businesses.

“The Department of State shall waive all fees for: 1. A new business established by a veteran or military spouse.” bill text, line 59 →
§ 2 Corporate Tax Exemption majors. 295.189(5)(a)(1)

AIGrants a 5-year corporate income tax exemption to qualifying veteran and military spouse businesses.

“Eligible veteran-owned and military spouse-owned businesses shall receive: 1. A 5-year tax exemption from the corporate income tax.” bill text, line 76 →
§ 3 Sales Tax Exemption moderates. 295.189(5)(a)(2)

AIProvides a one-time sales tax exemption on business equipment and supplies.

“A one-time sales tax exemption on equipment and supplies directly related to business operations.” bill text, line 86 →
§ 4 Eligibility Requirements moderates. 295.189(3)(c)(1)

AILimits incentives to businesses with 200 or fewer employees and a net worth of $5 million or less.

“That employs 200 or fewer permanent full-time employees. 2. That, together with its affiliates, has a net worth of $5 million or less” bill text, line 43 →
§ 5 Time Limitation moderates. 295.189(4)(c)

AIRestricts fee waivers to businesses established or relocated between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2031.

“The fee waivers apply to veteran-owned or military spouse-owned businesses established between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2031.” bill text, line 72 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Ways & Means Committee
2/9/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
2/9/2026
Now in Ways & Means Committee
2/9/2026
Referred to State Affairs Committee
2/9/2026
Referred to Ways & Means Committee
2/6/2026
CS Filed
2/6/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
2/5/2026
Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
2/5/2026
Favorable with CS by Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
2/3/2026
Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/12/2026
Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
1/12/2026
Referred to State Affairs Committee
1/12/2026
Referred to Ways & Means Committee
1/12/2026
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
1/6/2026
Filed
10 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 295.189
+647 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES