STATE LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
SUMMARY LIST
The following is a list of bills related to veterans affairs and which are currently pending in the State Legislature. Bills are listed in numerical sequence, with a brief description. For full details, click on the bill number.
The full details of all bills are presented in additional pages under the general subject headings. Click on the subject headings to see a list of all the bills under that subject.
Bills which are considered to be particularly important at this time are highlighted by red vertical borders.
Bills which have recently been added to this list are highlighted by green vertical borders.
When new information concerning a bill is posted, the designation [UPDATED _____] is inserted after the bill title and author. Refer to the bill details by clicking on the subject headings to see the updated information.
Any questions concerning material presented on this web site may be addressed to the califveterans@cox.net
SUBJECT HEADINGS
A. VETERANS
BENEFITS AND SERVICES.
B. CALIFORNIA STATE VETERANS HOMES.
C. VETERANS HOUSING AND
CAL-VET FARM AND HOME LOAN PROGRAM
D.
EDUCATION
E. NATIONAL GUARD.
F.
ELECTIONS/VOTING, MEMBERS OF MILITARY SERVICES
G. MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES.
H. RESOLUTIONS.
AB 38 Postsecondary
education: resident classification: veterans. (Mary Salas, Chula
Vista) [UPDATED MAY 31] [FAILED PASSAGE
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS]
Enacts Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2009. Would entitle a veteran
to resident classification status, for purpose of determining tuition and fees
at the state universities and colleges, for the length of time the student lives
in the state after being discharged from the military service if the student
qualifies for the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.
Also requires the student to perform community service in a program approved by
the school.
The bill also would repeal existing law which provides that a person who is stationed in the state under military orders and is enrolled at a state university or college, who has been granted state residency status for purpose of determining tuition and fees, and who is released from active duty but continues the education program, may continue receiving the benefit of state residency status for the minimum time required to actually establish state residency.
AB 223 Physical Education:
Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps. (Fiona Ma, San Francisco)
[UPDATED JUNE 15] [FAILED PASSAGE ASSEMBLY
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS]
Would require the San Francisco Board of Education to make JROTC courses
available to pupils under its jurisdiction. Would also require any school
district which provides a JROTC program to exempt students enrolled in ROTC
courses from other courses of physical education.Amended to state that the
JROTC programs would have to be reinstated at those schools where the program
was offered during the 2008-2009 school year if it also makes athletic programs
available to those pupils.
AB 264 Welcome
Home Vietnam Veterans Day. (Paul Cook, Yucaipa; and Ted Lieu,
Torrance. Coauthors, Assembly: Kevin Jeffries, Riverside; Roger
Niello, Sacramento; Jim Silva, Huntington Beach. Coauthors, Senate:
Dave Cogdill, Fresno; Dave Cox, Fair Oaks.)
[UPDATED JUNE 159]
Would require the Governor to annually proclaim establish March 30
of each year as "Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans Day."
AB 265 Office
holding: forfeiture. (Paul Cook, Yucaipa)
[UPDATED MAY 27]
Would require that any elected state officer to forfeit their office upon the
conviction of a crime as specified in the federal Stolen Valor Act of 2005,
relating to false claim of receipt of any military decoration or medal.
AB 343 Pupils: military families. (Lori Saldana, San Diego. Coauthors: Anthony Adams, Hersperia; Kevin Jeffries, Riverside; Ted Lieu, Torrance; Roger Niello, Sacramento.) [UPDATED June 8]
AB 351 Physical Education. (Mary Salas, Chula Vista) [UPDATED APRIL 18]
AB 425 Vehicles: registration: reissuance fee exemption. (Paul Cook, Yucaipa) [UPDATED MAY 26]
AB 498
Affordable housing: veterans. (Mary Hayashi, Hayward)
[UPDATED JUNE 15] [FAILED PASSAGE ASSEMBLY
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS]
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 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 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.
AB 563 Personal
income taxes: contributions: California Military Family Relief Fund.
(Paul Cook, Yucaipa) [UPDATED MAY 27]
The California Military Family Relief Fund provides
financial aid grants to eligible reserve members of the Armed Forces of the United States who are California residents.
This bill would require the California National Guard to establish a nonprofit
organization which would be responsible for receiving funds donated to the
California Military Family Relief Fund and for making grants to the families.
The bill states the intent of the Legislature that every qualified reserve
member, regardless of branch, in need of emergency assistance be able to receive
a grant.
AB 589 Department of
Corrections and Rehabilitation contracts: county veterans service officers:
incarcerated veterans. (Paul Cook, Yucaipa. Coauthors: Chuck
DeVore, Irvine; Danny Gilmore, Hanford; Mary Salas, Chula Vista; Lori Saldano,
San Diego; Mariko Yamada, Davis.)
[UPDATED JUNE 8]
Would allow the Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation or a local law enforcement agency to contract with county
veterans services officers in the county where the state or local correctional
facility is located to assist an incarcerated honorably discharged veteran and
the veteran’s dependents in presenting and pursuing any claims, as specified,
and in establishing the veteran’s and dependent’s right to any privilege,
preference, care, or compensation provided for by the laws of the United States
or of this state.
This bill would authorize the department or local enforcement agency to,
pursuant to the contract, compensate a county veterans service officer for the
assistance provided.
AB 674 Criminal procedures: veterans. (Mary Salas, Chula Vista) [UPDATED MAY 8] [FAILED PASSAGE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY]
AB 702
Veterans Emergency Housing and Assistance Program
Fund. (Mary Salas, Chula Vista)
[UPDATED JUNE 8]
This bill would establish the Veterans Housing
and Assistance Program, under which the Department of Housing and Community
Development would be authorized to make grants from the Veterans Housing and
Assistance Fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to local governments
and nonprofit organization to provide emergency or temporary housing for
homeless veterans.
As amended, requires
the Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD) to ensure that a
percentage of the money in the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) fund
is allocated to sponsors of veterans' only homeless projects or projects that
give preference to veterans during any fiscal year in proportion to the
percentage of homeless veterans represent of the total homeless population.
AB 710 Veterans' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Fund. (Mariko Yamada, Vacaville) [UPDATED MAY 27]
AB 716 Veteran services: state agencies and departments. (Alyson Huber, Lodi) [UPDATED JUNE 8]
AB 776 Veterans. (Mary Salas, Chula Vista) [UPDATED APRIL 29] [FAILED PASSAGE, ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS]
AB 1051 Veterans: Self-Insurance Fund (Nathan Fletcher, San Diego) [UPDATED MAY 26]
AB 1077 Income taxes: exclusion: military retirement benefits. (Joel Anderson, La Mesa) [UPDATED May 31] [FAILED PASSAGE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON REVENUE AND TAXATION]
AB 1088 Taxpayer contributions: ___ Fund. (Nathan Fletcher, San Diego) [UPDATED JUNE 15] [FAILED PASSAGE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS]
AB
1190 Military service: benefits. (Nathan Fletcher, San Diego)
[UPDATED JUNE 15] FAILED TO BE REFERRED TO
COMMITTEE]
Existing law authorizes extensions of time for
certain liabilities of members of the National Guard who are ordered into active
state service and reservists who are called to active duty, as specified.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to that provision.
AB 1265 Sales and
use taxes: consumers: itinerant venders. (Fiona Ma, San Francisco)
[UPDATED June 8]
Would exempt an itinerant vendor, who is a service-connected disabled veteran,
from collecting sales takes on products being sold. This bill is intended
to address the application of the sales and use tax law to disabled veterans who
make sales of goods they own, such as food, handcrafted items, paintings,
memorabilia, and blankets. It is meant to acknowledge the sacrifices that these
individuals have made to our country and to help remove recordkeeping burdens
they face when attempting to earn a living through itinerant vending sales.
AB 1306 Veterans buildings, memorials, and cemeteries. (Danny Gilmore, Hanford) [UPDATED JUNE 15] [FAILED TO BE ASSIGNED TO COMMITTEE]
AB 1330 Veterans: pilot project: cooperative housing. (Mary Salas, Chula Vista) [UPDATED MAY 31]
AB 1340 Absentee voters. (Bonnie Lowenthal, Long Beach, and V. Manuel Perez, Cathredral City. Coauthor, Senate: Denise Moreno Ducheny, San Diego) (Sponsored by Secretary of State Debra Bowen.) [UPDATED MAY 31]
AB 1367 Elections: vote by mail ballots. (Nathan Fletcher, San Diego; Paul Cook, Yucaipa; Chuck DeVore, Irvine; Danny Gilmore, Hanford; and Steve Knight, Lancaster. Principal coauthor, Senate: George Runner, Antelope Valley.) [UPDATED MAY 26] [FAILED PASSAGE, ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS]
AB 1378 California Workforce Investment Board: veterans workforce program. (V Manuel Perez, Cathedral City) [UPDATED JUNE 15] [FAILED PASSAGE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON JOBS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE ECONOMY]
AB 1459 Multifamily Housing Program: veterans. (Mike Davis, Los Angeles) [UPDATED JUNE 15]
AB 1509 Veterans.
(Joel Anderson, La Mesa) [UPDATED JUNE 15]
[FAILED TO BE REFERRED TO COMMITTEE]
Existing law requires the state to pay a death
benefit of $10,000 to the surviving spouse or designated beneficiary of any
member of the California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, or the
Naval Militia who dies or is killed after March 1, 20003, in the performance of
duty, as determined by the Military Department.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to this death benefit
provision.
AB 1568 Veterans: benefits. (Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs, Mary Salas, Chula Vista, Chair; Paul Cook, Yucaipa, Vice Chair; Alyson Huber, Lodi; Ted Lieu, Torrance; V. Manuel Perez, Cathedral City; Lori Saldana, San Diego; and Mariko Yamada, Vacaville.) [UPDATED June 8]
AB 1569 Postsecondary education: tuition: veterans. (Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs, Mary Salas, Chula Vista, Chair; Paul Cook, Yucaipa, Vice Chair; Alyson Huber, Lodi; Ted Lieu, Torrance; V. Manuel Perez, Cathedral City; and Mariko Yamada, Vacaville.) [UPDATED MAY 11]
AB
1570 Veterans: service providers. (Assembly Committee on Veterans
Affairs, Mary Salas, Chula Vista, Chair; Ted Lieu, Torrance; V. Manuel
Perez, Cathedral City; Lori Saldana, San Diego; and Mariko Yamada,
Vacaville.) [UPDATED JUNE 15]
Would require each entity of state government
to give preference to a qualified entity, as defined, when awarding a grant for
a project that would provide, or when entering into a contract to provide,
social services to veterans, including housing services, mental health services
or employment and job training services. This bill would require a qualified entity to
submit with the application for the grant or the bid for the contract a
certification, as provided, from the Department of Veterans Affairs. This bill
would authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs to charge a fee for the
actual costs incurred by the department in reviewing each application.
Some of the requirements that an organization would have to meet to qualify for
grants or contracts for the state include:
(1) Demonstrate the knowledge, experience, and capacity to provide desired
services to veterans.
(2) Demonstrate through audits and employment history the fiscal and management
capacity to capably perform public contracts.
(3) Is incorporated with the primary purpose of providing services to veterans
and their families.
(4) Demonstrate that the majority of the entity’s resources are dedicated to
serving the needs of veterans and their families.
(5) Be a nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income taxation
under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
A "qualified entity" is defined as an entity that provides services to veterans
and is capable of managing the grant moneys provided or the contract funds
allocated in a fiscally prudent manner, and meets the stated requirements.
AB
1571 Veterans mental health: county plans. (Assembly Committee on
Veterans Affairs, Mary Salas, Chula Vista, Chair; Ted Lieu, Torrance; V.
Manuel Perez, Cathedral City; Lori Saldana, San Diego; and Mariko Yamada,
Vacaville.) [UPDATED MAY 26]
Existing law requires each county mental health
program to prepare and submit a 3-year plan to be updated at least annually
and approved by the State Department of Mental Health after review and
comment by the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability
Commission. Existing law requires the plan to be developed with specified
local stakeholders.
This bill would require the local stakeholder
planning group to include a representative from a legitimate veterans
organization and would require the plan to specifically include recognition of
the mental health needs of veterans and how those needs are, or are not, being
met.
ACR 12 National Purple
Heart Trail. (Sam Blakeslee, San Luis Obispo)
Designates the segment of SR 101 from the City of
San Luis Obispo to San Ardo Monterey County to San Luis Obispo
County for inclusion in the National Purple Heart Trail.
Requests the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to determine the cost of
appropriate signs, consistent with the signing requirements for the state
highway system, showing that special designation and, upon receiving donations
from nonstate sources covering that cost, to erect those
signs.
SB 15 Student financial aid:
members and former members of the Armed Forces. (Gil Cedillo, Los
Angeles. Coauthors, Senate: Mark DeSaulnier, Antioch; Dean Florez,
Shafter; and Patricia Wiggins, Santa Rosa. Coauthors, Assembly: Joan
Buchanan, San Ramon; Wesley Chesbro, Eureka; Joe Coto, San Jose; Mike Eng,
Monterey Park; Cathleen Galgiani, Tracy; Ed Hernandez, Baldwin Park; Paul
Krekorian, Burbank; William Monning, Santa Cruz; Brian Nestande, Palm Desert;
Roger Niello, Sacramento; Anthony Portantino, Pasadena; Curren Price, Inglewood;
Ira Ruskin, Redwood City; Mary Salas, Chula Vista; and Jim Silva, Huntington
Beach.) [UPDATED MAY 31]
[FAILED PASSAGE SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS]
This bill would provide some guaranteed financial aid, under the Cal-Grant
Program, for servicemembers and veterans who are attending a university or
college in California, who would meet the eligibility requirements regarding
graduation from high school, and personal and family income limits.
Under the existing Cal Grant Entitlement Program
eligible applicants who apply within one year of high school graduation are
guaranteed a Cal Grant. Students who opt to join the military directly out of
high school forego this guarantee. This bill is an effort to "defer" this
"guarantee" for those students so it is available once they leave the military.
SB 369 Prisoner-of-War/Missing-in-Action Flag: state-owned buildings and facilities. (Abel Maldonado, Santa Maria. Coauthers, Senate: Lou Correa, Santa Ana; Gloria Negrete McLeod, Chino. Coauthors, Assembly: Bill Berryhill, Stockton; Danny Gilmore, Hanford; Kevin Jeffries, Riverside; Jim Silva, Huntington Beach.) [UPDATED MAY 11]
SB 370 Elections: voting. (George Runner, Antelope Valley) [UPDATED APRIL 24] [FAILED PASSAGE IN COMMITTEE]
SB 417 Military and Veterans.
(Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, Jeff Denham, Merced, Chair)
[UPDATED JUNE 15] [FAILED TO BE REFERRED TO A
COMMITTEE]
This bill states the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would
revise and modernize various provisions of the Military and Veterans Code.
This is a spot bill which will be amended at a later date.
SB 418
Department of Veterans Affairs: contracts: veterans service organizations.
(Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, Jeff Denham,
Merced, Chair)
[UPDATED APRIL 24]
Existing law specifies certain procedures for the Department of Veterans Affairs
to contract with veterans service organizations for the purpose of providing
services to veterans.
This bill would revise those procedures with regard to the use of General Fund
moneys.
SB 419 County Veterans Service Officers: funding. (Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, Jeff Denham, Merced, Chair) [UPDATED APRIL 24]
SB 420 Veterans
benefits: Department of Veterans Affairs.
(Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, Jeff Denham, Merced, Chair)
[UPDATED JUNE 15] [FAILED TO BE REFERRED TO
COMMITTEE]
Existing law authorizes the California Veterans’ Educational Institute, which is
under the management and control of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to
provide opportunities for veterans to continue their education. Existing law
authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to work with authorized agencies
of the United States in providing those opportunities.
This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to this provision.
This is a spot bill which will be amended at a later date.
SB 421 Veterans
benefits: Veterans' Farm and Home Purchase Act of 1943.
(Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, Jeff Denham, Merced,
Chair) [UPDATED JUNE 15] [FAILED TO BE
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE]
The Veterans’ Farm and Home Purchase Act of 1943, administered by the Department
of Veterans Affairs, provides veterans with the opportunity to acquire farms and
homes. Existing law provides that when a veteran has been authorized by the
department to select a farm or home, the veteran shall submit the selection to
the department, as provided.
This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to this provision.
This is a spot bill which will be amended at a later date.
SB 422 National
Defense. (Senate Committee on Veterans
Affairs, Jeff Denham, Merced, Chair) [UPDATED
JUNE 15] [FAILED TO BE REFERRED TO COMMITTEE]
Existing law for national defense provides for the Sabotage Prevention Act of
1950 and includes definitions for terms therein, including a definition for
"defense preparation."
This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to this provision.
This is a spot bill which will be amended at a later date.
SB 423
Veterans educational assistance: dependents.
(Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, Jeff Denham, Merced,
Chair) [UPDATED JUNE 15] [FAILED TO BE
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE]
Existing law defines "veterans" for the purposes of the various programs
bestowing benefits upon veterans, including, but not limited to, educational
assistance for dependents of veterans.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to that definition.
This is a spot bill which will be amended at a later date.
SB 469 Northern California Veterans Cemetery: fees. (Sam Aanestad, Grass Valley) [UPDATED MAY 27]
SB 582 Elections: vote by mail voting: military personnel. (Bob Dutton, Inland Empire, and George Runner, Antelope Valley) [UPDATED APRIL 24] [FAILED PASSAGE SENATE COMMITTEE]
SB 595 Homeless Veterans Housing and Supportive Services Act of 2010. (Gil Cedillo, Los Angeles. Coauthors, Senate: Lou Correa, Santa Ana; Dean Florez, Shafter; Patricia Wiggins, Santa Rosa. Coauthor, Assembly: Wilmer Carter, Rialto.) [UPDATED MAY 31] [FAILED PASSAGE SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS]
SB 611 Student Financial
aid: Cal Grant A Entitlement Awards: veterans. (Lou Correa, Santa Ana)
[UPDATED APRIL 18]
Existing law requires that students who receive the CalGrant education awards
use the funds only for tuition or student fees, or both.
This bill would authorize a student whose tuition or fees, or both, are paid in
full by the Post 9/11 GI Bill to use the CalGrant award funds for living
expenses and expenses for transportation, supplies and books.
SB 643 California prompt payment act: disabled veteran business enterprises. (Jeff Denham, Merced) [UPDATED MAY 31] [FAILED PASSAGE SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS]
SB 644 Civil Service Examinations: veterans' preference. (Jeff Denham, Merced) [UPDATED MAY 27]
SB 645 Public higher education: training programs at military facilities. (Jeff Denham, Merced) [UPDATED MAY 11]
SB 646 Student financial aid:
veterans and dependents. (Jeff Denham, (Merced).
[UPDATED MAY 31] [FAILED PASSAGE SENATE COMMITTEE ON
APPROPRIATIONS]
Enacts the Golden State GI Bill of Rights for
Higher Education, also known as the Cal GI Bill of Rights. Would prohibit any
campus of the University of California, the California State University, or the
California Community Colleges from charging any mandatory systemwide tuition or
fees, including enrollment fees, registration fees, differential fees, or
incidental fees, to a California resident, as defined, who is an undergraduate
student or a graduate student seeking a postbaccalaureate degree, and who,
irrespective of income level or need, was a member of the Armed Forces of the
United States who enlisted therein while he or she was a California resident and
who was honorably discharged from the Armed Forces, or is, or has been, on
active duty as a member of the California National Guard, the State Military
Reserve, or the Naval Militia, and has demonstrated, in a prescribed manner,
that he or she has no remaining months of educational benefits for which he or
she is eligible under the federal GI Bill. Would also specify that no person may
obtain a waiver of fees for a number of academic semester or equivalent quarters
that is longer than the number of semesters or quarters for which he or she
previously received educational benefits under the federal GI Bill.
An amendment was added to the bill to specify that the benefits would be
available only in those fiscal years in which funds were specifically
appropriated for this purpose.
SB 647 California
National Guard Education Assistance Award Program. (Jeff Denham,
Merced) [UPDATED MAY 31] [FAILED PASSAGE
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION]
It is the intent of the Legislature that, in order to fulfill the public
program of maintaining required strength in the California National Guard, an
inducement be provided to members of the California National Guard by making
educational assistance awards available to California National Guard members
seeking to improve themselves through higher education. These assistance awards
are to be available to California National Guard members who serve the state
faithfully commencing with the 2010–11 academic year.
Note: See also SB 815, below.
SB 703 Military and Veterans. (Jeff Denham, Merced) [UPDATED JUNE 15] [FAILED TO BE REFERRED TO COMMITTEE]
SB 815 Student financial aid program:
SB 817 Elections: special vote by mail voter. (Senate Committee on Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments: Loni Hancock, Oakland, Chair; Mimi Walters, Laguna Hills, Vice Chair; Carol Liu, Glendale; Mark DeSaulnier, Concord; Dave Cogdill, Fresno.) [UPDATED MAY 31]
SB 818 California State Military Museum and Resource Center. (Committee on Veterans Affairs, Jeff Denham, Merced, Chair; Gil Cedillo, Los Angeles; Lou Correa, Santa Ana; Abel Maldonado, Santa Maria; Gloria Negrete McLeod, Chino; Patricia Wiggins, Santa Rosa; Mark Wyland, Escondido.) [UPDATED MAY 11]
SUBJECT HEADINGS
A. VETERANS
BENEFITS AND SERVICES.
B. CALIFORNIA STATE VETERANS HOMES.
C. VETERANS HOUSING AND
CAL-VET FARM AND HOME LOAN PROGRAM
D.
EDUCATION
E. NATIONAL GUARD.
F.
ELECTIONS/VOTING, MEMBERS OF MILITARY SERVICES
G. MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES.
H. RESOLUTIONS.
Last modified: 06/15/09