TALLAHASSEE — Governor Rick Scott has signed House Bill 559, which further honors and recognizes Florida’s veterans for their service and sacrifice. House Bill 559 changes statutory references from the Korean Conflict to the Korean War and Vietnam Era to Vietnam War, a change requested by veterans to more accurately reflect the nature of the fighting in these two wars. The change in the name is also reflected on the Korean War Veteran license plate. The legislation also redesigns Florida’s military and veteran special use plates to include images of the awards and decorations on the plate. This allows the plates to be more recognizable and increases awareness of the special use plates.
“I am pleased to sign this legislation that properly honors the service of our heroes who served our nation in Korea and Vietnam,” said Governor Scott. “With more than 1.5 million veterans in Florida, we have the third largest population of veterans in the nation, and I am proud to sign H.B. 559 that will redesign the Korean War license plate and establish eligibility guidelines for other veterans’ license plates. This legislation is one more way we thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice.”
The law takes effect July 1, 2014.
“We were proud to advocate for this bill, as many of the license plate additions and upgrades signed into law by Governor Scott came directly from recommendations our agency received from Florida’s veteran community,” said retired Army Col. Mike Prendergast, executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
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