SESSION WATCH
Became law SENATE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-125

No. CS/CS/SB 1602

Housing for Veterans
Send via email
SPONSOR
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security; Wright
FILED BY
Tom A. Wright — District 8, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026

Filed under Housing.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Housing for Veterans; Creating the “Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program Act”; establishing the Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program in certain counties, subject to legislative appropriation; requiring a landlord to submit to the contracted program administrator required documentation within a specified time period to apply for funding; authorizing a landlord to apply for up to a specified dollar amount from the funds, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Compensates landlords for veteran tenant vacancy and damage.

Landlords in four counties can receive up to 45 days of rent if a veteran tenant delays moving in. This covers the cost of the unit sitting empty during the transition period.

Landlords can claim up to $2,000 for property damage exceeding the security deposit if a veteran moves out early. This reimbursement is only available if the landlord previously claimed the vacancy funding.

The program operates in Broward, Escambia, Hillsborough, and Santa Rosa Counties. It is a pilot program that requires annual legislative appropriation to function and distribute funds.

Landlords must submit all required documentation within 60 days of the veteran moving in or out. Failure to meet this deadline prevents the landlord from receiving the requested funding.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Establishes a 45-day vacancy compensation program majors. 83.684(4)(a)

AILandlords can receive rent payments for up to 45 days while a veteran is delayed in moving in.

“provides proportional rent to eligible landlords for a period of up to 45 days after the date the dwelling unit becomes available” bill text, line 88 →
§ 2 Creates a $2,000 property damage reimbursement majors. 83.684(5)(a)

AILandlords can recover up to $2,000 in property damage costs that exceed the security deposit.

“The landlord may apply for up to $2,000 beyond the deposit money.” bill text, line 126 →
§ 3 Imposes a 60-day documentation deadline moderates. 83.684(4)(b)

AILandlords must submit all required paperwork within 60 days of the veteran moving in or out to get paid.

“a landlord must submit all required documentation to the contracted program administrator within 60 days” bill text, line 92 →
§ 4 Limits program to four specific counties moderates. 83.684(3)

AIOnly landlords in Broward, Escambia, Hillsborough, and Santa Rosa Counties can participate.

“established in Broward, Escambia, Hillsborough, and Santa Rosa Counties” bill text, line 57 →
§ 5 Requires prior application for damage claims moderates. 83.684(5)(d)

AIA landlord cannot claim property damage unless they already applied for the vacancy compensation.

“A landlord may apply for funding under paragraph (a) only if the landlord previously applied for funding under paragraph (4)(a).” bill text, line 148 →
TIMELINE
6/12/2026
Chapter No. 2026-125
6/11/2026
Approved by Governor
6/9/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/11/2026
Ordered engrossed, then enrolled
3/11/2026
CS passed as amended; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 821
3/11/2026
Concurred in 1 amendment(s) (481141) -SJ 821
3/10/2026
In returning messages
3/10/2026
CS passed as amended; YEAS 112, NAYS 0
3/10/2026
Read 3rd time
3/10/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
3/10/2026
Amendment 481141 adopted
3/10/2026
Read 2nd time
3/9/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)
3/9/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/10/2026)
3/9/2026
Bill referred to House Calendar
3/5/2026
In Messages
3/5/2026
CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 1 -SJ 610
3/5/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 610
3/5/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 610
3/3/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/05/26
3/3/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/2/2026
Favorable by- Appropriations; YEAS 17 NAYS 0
2/25/2026
On Committee agenda-- Appropriations, 03/02/26, 12:00 pm, 110...
2/24/2026
CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and...
2/23/2026
Now in Appropriations
2/20/2026
Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
2/18/2026
CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and...
2/13/2026
On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Transportation,...
1/29/2026
CS by Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security...
1/28/2026
Now in Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and...
1/27/2026
Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
1/26/2026
CS by Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security;...
1/22/2026
Introduced
1/21/2026
On Committee agenda-- Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and...
1/16/2026
Referred to Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic...
1/9/2026
Filed
30 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 83.684
+964 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES
3 MORE →