Miscellaneous Issues

G. MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES

AB 498 ~~Affordable housing: veterans~~ Vehicles: special interest license plates and decals. (Mary Hayashi, Hayward. Coauthor Ted Lieu, Torrance.) [TWO YEAR BILL] [UPDATED JULY 3, 2010]
DESCRIPTION: Existing law authorizes a sponsor of a supportive housing development funded by the Multifamily Housing Program, to restrict occupancy of a project to persons with veteran status under specified circumstances.
This bill would ~~express the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation relating to affordable housing for veteran renter households.~~ require the Department of Veterans Affairs to collaborate with the Department of Housing and Community Development to facilitate the development of multifamily housing for military veterans and their families. The bill would require the department to take action to ensure that if land is donated to the state for the express purpose of providing land for military veterans’ housing, or if the department receives funding for a housing project restricted for the use of military veterans, any such housing built on that land, or using that source of funds shall, only be used for housing for military veterans.
This bill would also require the department, in collaboration with the Department of Housing and Community Development, not later than July 1, 2010, to prepare and submit to the Legislature a study evaluating the most effective ways to increase the supply of affordable housing for military veterans and their families, including specified information and recommendations, as prescribed.
The bill would also require a ballot measure to be submitted to the voters at the November 2020 election to modify the Veterans Bond Act of 2008 to provide that the bonds issued can be used for rental housing instead of the Cal-Vet Farm and Home Loan Program.
As amended 2010 -- Allows any former American POW who is otherwise eligible for a special interest license plate to instead apply for a veterans' organization license plate and decal and be afforded the same fee exemptions as are granted for POW plates

STATUS:
Introduced February 25, 2009. Referred to Assembly Committees on Veterans Affairs, and on Housing and Community Development. A hearing is scheduled by the Committee on Veterans Affairs on April 28.
TWO YEAR BILL -- Re-referred to Committee on Transportation. Passed by Assembly Committee on Transportation January 12 (vote 14-0), and by Committee on Appropriations January 21 (vote 17-0). Passed by the Assembly January 27 (vote 72-1).
In the Senate, passed by the Committee on Transportation and Housing June 15 (vote 5-0). Placed on Suspense File by Committee on Appropriations June 28.

SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:
Officially supported by Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California (sponsor).

COMMENT:
The single "no" vote that was cast in the Assembly Floor vote was by Tom Berryhill of Modesto. His particular reason is unknown. The staff analysis of the bill did note that there would be significant administrative costs to implement the proposed procedures, compared to the few persons who might actually change their license plates.

AB 2087 Veterans farm and home purchases: definition: home. (Norma J. Torres, Pomona) [UPDATED JUNE 5]
DESCRIPTION: The amended version adds the provision that a home for the purposes of obtaining a CAL-VET loan may include a residence with two to four units that are only occupied by veterans and their families.

STATUS: Passed by the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs on April 13 (vote 9-0). Referred to Suspense File by Committee on Appropriations April 28. Passed by the Committee on Appropriations May 28 (vote 12-5). Passed by the Assembly June 1 (vote 74-0).

NOTE: The vote in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations was strictly along party lines with all Democrats supporting the bill and all Republicans voting against. On the Floor vote, three of the Republican members of the Committee on Appropriations did not vote (Harkey, MIller and Norby). However, there was no other major opposition by the Republican members.

AB 1644 Veterans remains. (Jim Nielsen, Biggs. Principal Coauthor: Juan Arambula, Fresno. Coauthors, Assembly: Sam Blakeslee, San Luis Obispo; Marty Block, San Diego; Robert Blumenfield, Van Nuys; Steven Bradford, Inglewood; Connie Conway, Visalia; Chuck DeVore, Irvine; Nathan Fletcher, San Diego; Danny Gilmore, Hanford; Diane Harkey, Laguna Niguel; Curt Hagman, Diamond Bar; Fiona Ma, San Francisco; Roger Niello, Sacramento; and Chris Norby, Brea. Coauthors, Senate: Sam Aanestad, Grass Velley; Dave Cox, Fair Oaks; Jeff Denham, Merced; Abel Maldonado, Santa Maria; and George Runner, Antelope Valley.) [UPDATED JU:Y 3
DESCRIPTION:
Would allow specified entities in possession of the cremated remains of a veteran to release the remains to a veterans' service organization, if specified conditions are met. Would require the veterans' service organization to take all reasonable steps to inter remains received and would exempt the organization from storage charges or additional charges of interment.

STATUS:
Referred to Assembly Committees on Judiciary and on Veterans Affairs. Passed by Committee on Judiciary on March 23 (vote 10-0), and by Committee on Veterans Affairs April 13 (vote 9-0). Passed by the Assembly April 22 (vote 75-0).
In the Senate, referred to the Committees on Veterans Affairs and Judiciary. Passed by Committee on Veterans Affairs June 22 (vote 4-0), and by the Committee on Judiciary June 29 (vote 4-0).

SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:
Supported by Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California; Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council (sponsor); Missing in America Project; AMVETS, Department of California; California Association of County Veteran Service Officers; Submarine Veterans of the Northern California Area; Patriot Guard Riders.

AB 1829 Military decorations: fraud. (Paul Cook, Yucaipa. Coauthors, Assembly: Joel Anderson, La Mesa; Tom Berryhill, Modesto; Wesley Chesbro, Eureka; Chuck DeVore, Irvine; Bill Emmerson, Redlands; Nathan Fletcher, San Diego; Danny Gilmore, Hanford; Kevin Jeffries, Riverside; Ted Lieu, Torrance; Brian Nestande, Palm Desert; Roger Niello, Sacramento; Anthony Portantino, Pasadeno; Jim Silva, Huntington Beach; Cameron Smyth, Santa Clarita; and Audra Strickland, Camarillo. Coauthors, Senate: Lou Correa, Santa Ana; and Mark DeSaulnier, Antioch.) [UPDATED JULY 3]
DESCRIPTION: Provides that any person who, orally, in writing, or by wearing any military decoration, falsely represents himself or herself to have been awarded any military decoration, as specified, with the intent to defraud, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
AB 282 by Assemblymember Cook, adopted in October 2007, originally provided for the same penalty, but that bill was amended during committee hearings to make the offense merely an infraction. This bill is another attempt to make the offense a more serious affair.

STATUS: Passed by Assembly Committee on Public Safety March 16 (vote 6-0), and by Committee on Veterans Affairs April 13 (vote 9-0). Passed by Committee on Appropriations April 21 (vote 17-0). Passed by the Assembly April 29 (vote 74-0). In the Senate, passed by the Committees on Public Safety June 15 (vote 7-0), and by the Committee on Veterans Affairs June 22 (vote 4-0).

AB 1908 Vehicles: specializes license plates: Veterans Organizations. (Paul Cook, Yucaipa; Wilmer Carter, Rialto) [UPDATED JULY 3]
DESCRIPTION: Current state law allows any veterans' organization to apply for a special interest license plate, the proceeds of which are deposited into the Veterans Service Office Fund.
This bill would allow California Department of Veterans Affairs to modify the distinctive design or decal for veterans' organization special interest license plates; require the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), by July 1, 2011, to maintain on its Internet Web site, a link to order online the modified license plates; and would repeal the statute that currently requires proceeds from the $10 fee for replacement decals to be divided evenly between the Veterans Service Office Fund and the California Environmental License Plate Fund.
The bill is intended to help county veteran services officers (CVSOs) and California Department of Veterans Affairs to better market veterans organization license plates.

STATUS:
Passed by the Assembly Committee on Transportation April 5 (vote 14-0), and by the Committee on Veterans Affairs April13 (vote 9-0). Passed by the Committee on Appropriations May 5 (vote 17-0). Passed by the Assembly May 20 (vote 76-0).
In the Senate, Passed by the Committee on Veterans Affairs June 22 (vote 4-0), and by the Committee on Transportation and Housing June 29 (vote 8-0).

SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:
Officially supported by California Association of County Veteran Service Offices (sponsor); County of San Bernardino (sponsor); American Legion, Department of California; AMVETS, Department of California; Vietnam Veterans of American, CA State Council.

NOTE: The information presented for this bill, unfortunately, makes no mention of the fact that the original purpose of this program was to allow each of the Veteran Service Organizations to have their decals on the license plates and to receive proceeds from the participation of their members in buying the plates. Unfortunately, when the authorizing legislation was first introduced, the organizations could not agree concerning just how the program was to be managed and how the revenues were to be shared with the result that the legislation was passed with the provision that all of the funds were to be deposited in the Veterans Service Fund managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Once the CVSO's were able to get the funds directed to support of the County offices, they have adamantly refused to consider any change in the program that would result in the veteran service organizations sharing in the proceeds from the license plate sales.
The Department of Veterans Affairs states that the purpose of this bill is to increase the sales of the Veterans License plates and generate additional funds that could be used to support veteran service organizations in addition to the County Veterans Service Offices. However, there is no provision for this additional use of the funds in the bill.

AB 1944 Vehicles: special license plates: disabled veterans. (Nathan Fletcher, San Diego) [UPDATED MAY 21]
DESCRIPTION: The Vehicle Code establishes provisions for issuance of disabled person license plates and disabled veterans license plates. This bill would delete "disabled veteran" from these provisions and instead establish new requirements for the issuance of a special license plate or plates to a disabled veteran.
Prior to issuing a special license plate or plates to a disabled veteran, the DMV shall require certification from the (California) Department of Veterans Affairs that the disabled veteran has a service-connected disability:
(a) which has been rated at 100 percent by the Department of Veterans Affairs or the military service from which the veteran was discharged, due to a diagnosed disease or disorder which substantially impairs or interferes with mobility.
(b) Is so severely disabled as to be unable to move without the aid of an assistant device.
(c) Has lost, or has lost use of, one or more limbs.
(d) Has suffered permanent blindness.
As amended, would require that the certification of service-connected disability be provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs which removes a potential problem in implementation of the bill.

Originally the bill would have removed the provisions governing disabled veterans from this section of the Code and provided separate provisions so the veterans could use the disability certification from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to qualify for disabled license plates or placards. In the present version, everything is back to the original form except with the addition of the authorization for veterans to use the certification from the USDVA instead of being forced to obtain an additional certification from a medical provider.
However, the bill has now been "tripled joined" with two other bills which would make extensive changes to various parts of the State Codes relating to vehicle licenses, including the sections that this bill would modify. All three bills basically provide that each bill would be effective on passage by the Legislature and being Chaptered by the Secretary of State -- if the respective bill is Chaptered last. Since these provisions are mutually contradictory, everything will remain to be sorted out -- probably when the bills are returned to their house of origin for concurrence with all the amendments which have been added.
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AB 1945 Taxation: military housing. (Nathan Fletcher, San Diego) [UPDATED MAY 21] [FAILED PASSAGE, ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON REVENUE AND TAXATION]
DESCRIPTION: Existing law provides certain exemptions to property taxation of military housing built on a military base by private contractor. This bill states the intent of making minor changes to the law and inserts certain grammatical changes.
This is probably a "spot" bill for future use. Bill is considered to be dead for failure to be approved by the policy committee.

STATUS:
Referred to Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation. A scheduled hearing was postponed at request of the author.

AB 2190 Disposition of remains: authorized agent. (Marty J. Block, San Diego) [UPDATED MAY 5]
DESCRIPTION: There are situations in which questions and/or disputes may arise concerning the person who has the authority to determine the appropriate disposition of the remains of a deceased person. This bill would provide clarification in the case of a veteran who has completed the DoD Record of Emergency Data, DD Form 93, as being sufficient to establish an agent who has right and duty of disposition. The bill supports the current procedures in Department of Defense to require service members to indicate in the record of emergency data a person who has authority to determine the disposition of remains. However, this information would only be available for persons who have been in the military service since 2006.

STATUS: Passed by Assembly Committee on Judiciary April 6 (vote 9-0), and by Committee on Appropriations April 21 (vote 17-0). Passed by the Assembly April 29 (vote 74-0).

AB 2365 Veterans affairs: administration. (~~Mary Hayashi, Hayward~~ Ted Lieu, Torrance) [UPDATED MAY 13]
DESCRIPTION: Existing law requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct audits on internal controls, and to provide those audits to the inspector general. This bill states the intent of making minor changes to the law and inserts certain grammatical changes.
This is probably a "spot" bill for future use.
The bill has now been amended and has been taken over by another author.
Existing law provides legal rights, as specified, for service members in regards to credit agreements, court proceedings, interest liabilities, eviction proceedings, contracts, mortgages and trusts, leases, life insurance policies, taxes and assessments, and health insurance policies.
This bill would hold a person who violates any of the specified rights of service members liable for actual damages, reasonable attorney’s fees, and costs incurred by an injured party.

STATUS: Passed by Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs April 27 (vote 8-0), and by Committee on Judiciary May 4 (vote 10-0). Passed by the Assembly May 10 (vote 71-0).
In the Senate, passed by the Committee on Veterans Affairs July 3 (vote 4-0), and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

AB 2386 Armed Forces: medical personnel. (Danny Gilmore, Hanford, and Paul Cook, Yucaipa.) [UPDATED JULY 3]
DESCRIPTION: Would authorize a hospital to enter into an agreement with the Armed Forces of the United States to authorize a physician and surgeon or registered nurse to provide medical care in the hospital if the health care professional holds a valid license in good standing in another state or territory, the medical care is provided as part of a training or educational program designed to further the employment of the health care professional, and the agreement complies with federal law. The bill would exempt those health care professionals from licensure or relicensure by the State of California.
The bill was amended to provide a requirement that the medical providers who are not specifically licensed by the State of California to wear a special name tag to indicate the state in which the person is licensed and that the person is a member of the Armed Forces.

STATUS:
Passed by Assembly Committee on Health May 4 (vote 18-0). Passed by the Assembly May 13 (vote 75-0).
In the Senate, passed by the Committee on Business, Professions, and Economic Development June 14 (vote 7-0). Sent to Floor vote by the Committee on Appropriations June 29. Passed by the Senate July 1.
In the Assembly again, concurrence in Senate amendments is pending.

AB 2416 Child custody: parent on active military duty. (Paul Cook, Yucaipa) [UPDATED MAY 5]
DESCRIPTION: Provides for modification of child custody and visitation orders for active duty military personnel to protect the custodial rights of the deployed parent while ensuring the best interests of the child are always paramount.

STATUS:
Passed by Assembly Committee on Judiciary April 6 (vote 9-0). Passed by Assembly April 12 (vote 71-0).
In the Senate, passed by the Committee on Judiciary June 10 (vote 5-0).

AB 2609 Firearms: handgun safety certificate: exemptions. (Joel Anderson, La Mesa) [UPDATED MAY 21] [FAILED PASSAGE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY]
DESCRIPTION: Existing law requires, with certain exceptions, that a person obtain a handgun safety certificate before purchasing or receiving a handgun.
Some persons are exempt from this requirement including honorably retired members of the United States Armed Forces, National Guard, or Air National Guard. A previous version of the law exempted honorably discharged members of the military services but this group was dropped in an earlier revision.
This bill would restore honorably discharged members of the United States Armed Forces, National Guard, or Air National Guard, instead of retired members to those exempted from the requirement for a safety certificate.

STATUS:
Failed passage Assembly Committee on Public Safety (vote 3-3, 1 abstention)
The yes votes were cast by Curt Hagman, Diamond Bar; Danny Gilmore, Hanford; and Anthony Portatino, Pasadena. The no votes were by Tom Ammiano, San Francisco; Jerry Hill, South San Francisco; and Nancy Skinner, Berkeley. Jim Beall, San Francisco, did not record a vote but his action was the same as a no vote since 4 affirmative votes were required to pass the bill.

AB 2783 Professions and vocations: military personnel. (Committee on Veterans Affairs: Paul Cook, Yucaipa; Mary Salas, Chula Vista; Danny Gilmore, Hanford; Ted Lieu, Torrance; V. Manuel Perez, Cathedral City; and Mariko Yamada, Davis.) [UPDATED JULY 3]
DESCRIPTION: Requires state licensing and regulatory boards under the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) to consult with the Military Department prior to adopting rules and regulations that are required, under current law, to specify how education, training, and experience obtained in the armed forces are applicable to the requirements of each board's regulated business or profession.

STATUS:
Passed by Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs April 13 (vote 9-0), and by the Committee on Business & Professions, and Consumer Protection April 20 (vote 11-0). Passed by the Committee on Appropriations April 28 (vote 15-0). Passed by the Assembly May 6 (vote 74-0).
In the Senate, Passed by the Committee on Veterans Affairs June 22 (vote 4-0).

AB 2784 Veterans. (Committee on Veterans Affairs: Paul Cook, Yucaipa; Mary Salas, Chula Vista; Danny Gilmore, Hanford; Ted Lieu, Torrance; V. Manuel Perez, Cathedral City; Lori Saldana, San Diego; and Mariko Yamada, Davis.) [UPDATED JUNE 7]
DESCRIPTION: This bill increases the size and oversight role of the California Veterans Board and requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to increase its strategic planning efforts. Specifically, this bill:
1)Increases the board from seven to nine members, and requires that two of the members shall have served in the conflict in Iraq or Afghanistan.
2)Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in addition to fully briefing the board regarding the impact on veterans of a policy change prior to effectuating that change, to also brief the board prior to recommending any such policy change impacting veterans.
3)Applies the above requirement to any veterans program or service provided by another state agency.
4)Requires DVA to assess the needs of the veteran community, in part by soliciting input from county veteran services officers and other veteran services organizations.
5)Requires DVA, in consultation with the board, to develop measurable goals and objectives and to report annually to the board on its progress in meeting the goals and objectives.

NOTE: The bill was amended in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations to delete the requirement for the Department to conduct the assessment of needs of veterans and to develop goals and objectives.
NOTE: Although one of the stated objectives of the bill is to add representation of veterans who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, the actual text of the bill uses an outdated description of the operations in Iraq so that any servicemember who served in 2010 or later would be precluded from service on the Board as an Iraqi veteran.
NOTE: See also SB 1387, below.

STATUS:
Passed by Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs April 22 (vote 9-0). Placed on Suspense File by Committee on Appropriations May 5. Passed by Committee on Appropriations May 28 (vote 17-0). Passed by the Assembly June 2 (vote 76-0).

AB 2785 Department of Veterans Affairs: administration: agreements with other agencies. (Committee on Veterans Affairs: Paul Cook, Yucaipa; Mary Salas, Chula Vista; Danny Gilmore, Hanford; Ted Lieu, Torrance; V. Manuel Perez, Cathedral City; and Mariko Yamada, Davis. Coauthor, Assembly: Marty Block, San Diego.) [UPDATED JULY 3]
DESCRIPTION: Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, by June 30, 2011 and annually thereafter, to identify other state agencies providing veterans services for the purpose of entering into formal agreements specifying the respective roles of agencies.

STATUS:
Passed by Committee on Veterans Affairs April 13 (vote 9-0), and by Committee on Appropriations April 28 (vote 15-0). Passed by the Assembly May 13 (vote 70-0).
In the Senate, passed by the Committee on Veterans Affairs June 22 (vote 4-0).

SB 1015 Veterans Affairs: administration. (Jeff Denham, Merced)
SB 1016 Military and veterans. (Jeff Denham, Merced) [UPDATED MAY 21] [FAILED PASSAGE, SENATE POLICY COMMITTEE]
DESCRIPTION: Both bills are spot bills which are introduced every year to provide possible vehicles for amendment later in the year to cover issues that may come up.

SB 1056 Income taxes: hiring credit: veterans. (Jeff Denham, Merced) [UPDATED MAY 5] [FAILED PASSAGE SENATE COMMITTEE ON REVENUE AND TAXATION]
DESCRIPTION: Existing law authorizes various credits against business taxes, including a credit for an increase in qualified employees by an employer.
This bill would, for taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2010, allow a credit in an amount equal to 25% of the wages, ~~not to exceed~~ exceeding $6,000, paid to each qualified veteran by the taxpayer during the taxable year.
NOTE: The FTB estimates that this bill would result in a revenue loss of $170 million in 2010-11, $190 million in 2011-12, and $200 million in 2012-13.

STATUS: Placed on Suspense File by Senate Committee on Revenue and Taxation April 29.

SB 1057 State holidays: Veterans Day: state office closure. (Jeff Denham, Merced. Coauthors, Senate: Abel Maldonado, Santa Maria; Patricia Wiggins, Santa Rosa. Coauthors, Assembly: Anthony Adams, Hesperia; Mike Davis, Los Angeles; Chuck DeVore, Irvine; Danny Gilmore, Hanford; Stephen Knight, Lancaster; and Jim Nielsen, Biggs.) [UPDATE JULY 3]
DESCRIPTION: Existing law requires all state offices, and the University of California, to be closed on the State holiday, Admissions Day. The law also requires all states offices, except the University of California, to be closed on Veterans Day.
This bill requires Veterans' Day to be observed by all state agencies on the actual date of Veterans' Day, November 11. If November 11 falls on a Saturday, the holiday will be observed the previous Friday. If the date occurs on Sunday, the holiday will be observed on the following Monday.
The bill states the intent of the Legislature that the University of California be closed on Veterans Day (but does not state how that intent will be enforced.)

STATUS: Passed by the Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs April 13 (vote 4-0). Returned to Rules Committee for further action. Passed by the Rules Committee May 26 (vote 4-0). Passed by the Senate June 3 (vote 36-0).
In the Assembly, passed by the Committee on Business, Professions, and Consumer Protection June 22 (vote 11-0).

SB 1127 Veterans: military-to-civilian life transition: information to family members. (Jenny Oropeza, Long Beach) [UPDATED JUNE 7]
DESCRIPTION: Requires outreach from the California Department of Veterans' Affairs (CDVA) to the families of returning veterans to help veterans reintegrate after returning to California.
Traditionally it is the Federal Government's responsibility to take care of veterans, but as more and more unseen ailments such as PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) are affecting veterans who are being discharged without diagnosis and without notification to the Federal Veterans' Administration (VA).
As a result of unseen and undiagnosed ailments these veterans then fall through the cracks of the VA health system and land on county mental health systems, which according to the funding in that county, may or may not cover that particular ailment.
When veterans return home undiagnosed and outside of the VA system, their family is often the only asset left to help get these veterans help.

STATUS:
Passed by Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs April 13 (vote 4-0). Released by Committee on Appropriations May 17. Passed by the Senate June 1 (vote 35-0).
In the Assembly, passed by the Committee on Veterans Affairs June 29 (vote 8-0).

SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:
Officially supported by American Legion, Department of California; AMVETS, Department of California; Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council.

SB 1295 License plates. (Bob Dutton, Inland Empire. Coauthors: Roy Ashburn, Bakersfield; Dave Cogdill, Fresno: Jeff Denham, Merced; Mark DeSaulnier, Concord; Bob Huff, Diamond Bar; Alan Lowenthal, Long Beach. ) [UPDATED JULY 3]
DESCRIPTION: Existing law authorizes the surviving spouse of a person who had the special license plates for a recipient of the Army Medal of Honor, Navy Medal of Honor, Air Force Medal of Honor, Army Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, or Purple Heart to retain the special license plates. The law also exempts these recipients from payment of vehicle registration fees and payment of charges under the Vehicle License Fee Law. Upon the death of the surviving spouse, the plates must be returned to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
This bill would authorize a member of the former medal recipient’s family to retain one of the special license plates as a family heirloom.

STATUS: Passed by Senate Committee on Transportation April 13 (vote 8-0), and by the Committee on Appropriations May 4. Passed by the Senate May 10 (vote 30-0).
In the Assembly, passed by the Committee on Transportation June 14 (vote 12-0), and by the Committee on Appropriations June 30 (vote 17-0).

SB 1385 Military and Veterans. (Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs: Jeff Denham, Merced, Chair; Lou Correa, Vice Chair, Santa Ana; Gil Cedillo, Los Angeles; Abel Maldonado, Santa Maria; Gloria Negrete McLeod, Chino; Patricia Wiggins, Santa Rosa; and Mark Wyland, Escondido.) [UPDATED MAY 21] [FAILED PASSAGE SENATE POLICY COMMITTEE]
DESCRIPTION: This is a spot bill that states the intention of the Legislature to revise and modernize the Military and Veterans Code.

SB 1386 Department of Veterans Affairs: inventory of resources. (Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs: Jeff Denham, Merced, Chair; Lou Correa, Vice Chair, Santa Ana; Gil Cedillo, Los Angeles; Abel Maldonado, Santa Maria; Gloria Negrete McLeod, Chino; Patricia Wiggins, Santa Rosa; and Mark Wyland, Escondido.) [UPDATED JUNE 7] [FAILED PASSAGE SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS]
DESCRIPTION: Directs the Department to conduct in inventory of existing military resources in California, and to submit a report to the Legislature by January 1, 2012, in order to facilitate the department's efforts to maximize available federal funding to provide services and support for veterans.

STATUS: Passed by the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs April 13 (vote 4-0). Placed on Suspense File by the Committee on Appropriations May 3. Held under submission by Committee on Appropriations May 27.

SB 1387 Department of Veterans Affairs: administration: California Veterans Board. (Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs: Jeff Denham, Merced, Chair; Lou Correa, Vice Chair, Santa Ana; Gil Cedillo, Los Angeles; Abel Maldonado, Santa Maria; Gloria Negrete McLeod, Chino; Patricia Wiggins, Santa Rosa; and Mark Wyland, Escondido.) [UPDATED MAY 21]
DESCRIPTION: Adds a requirement that one of the members of the CAL-VET Board shall have a degree in health care administration or shall have experience in the financial management of health care facilities.
The Board consists of seven members. There currently are four other specific qualification requirements for the Board members:
1. Substantial training or professional expertise in mortgage lending and real estate finance.
2. Substantial training or professional expertise in geriatrics, gerontology, or long-term care.
3. Accounting or auditing background, and preferably be a CPA.
4. A resident of one of the California State Veterans Homes.

STATUS: Passed by the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs April 13 (vote 4-0), and by the Committee on Appropriations May 4. Passed by the Senate May 10.
In the Assembly, passed by the Committee on Veterans Affairs June 15 (vote 9-0). Passed by the Committee on Appropriations June 30 (vote 19-0).

SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:
Officially supported by American Legion, Department of California; AMVETS, Department of California; Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council.