Veterans Benefits Services

A. VETERANS BENEFITS AND SERVICES

AB 1814 Veterans: claims. (Chuck DeVore, Irvine, and Paul Cook, Yucaipa. Coauthors: Assembly: Cathleen Galgiani, Tracy: Bob Huff, Diamond Bar; Bill Maze, Visalia; Sharon Runner, Lancaster; Jim Silva, Huntington Beach. Coauthor: Senate: Dennis Hollingsworth, Murrieta.) [UPDATED JUNE 25] [FAILED PASSAGE SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS]
DESCRIPTION: Existing law authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to contract with nationally chartered veteran service organizations for the purpose of assisting veterans to pursue claims for benefits from the federal government. However, at the present time, the Department is precluded from using state funds for such contracts until the budget for the subvention funds provided to Counties for the Veteran Service Offices is increased to $5 million. This bill would remove that restriction.

STATUS: Passed by Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs April 15 (vote 9-0), and by the Committee on Appropriations May 14 (vote 17-0). Passed by the Assembly May 29 (vote 75-0).
In the Senate, referred to the Committee on Veterans Affairs with a hearing scheduled for June 24. Hearing was cancelled at the request of the author.
Bill has died for failure to pass the policy committee by June 27.

SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: Sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California. Supported by the California State Commanders Veterans Council.

Note: The bill was opposed by the American Legion. However, during a meeting that was held before the vote by the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs, the VFW and the Legion agreed to an amendment proposed by the Author which was submitted prior to the hearing by the Committee on Appropriations. The Legion then initially their opposition, but subsequently made additional demands for amendments and continued to oppose the bill.

AB 1952 Business licensing: exemptions: veterans. (Patty Berg, Santa Rosa) [UPDATED AUGUST 17] [ENROLLED]
DESCRIPTION: Under existing law, certain persons honorably discharged from the military, service of the United States who served during specified times are exempt from payment of specified state and local business license taxes or fees. This bill would remove the requirement that such persons be physically unable to obtain a livelihood by manual labor.

STATUS: Passed by Assembly Committees on Business and Professions April 1 (vote 9-0), and by Committee on Veterans Affairs April 15 (vote 9-0). Passed by Committee on Appropriations May 14 (vote 17-0). Passed by the Assembly May 22 (vote 76-0).
In the Senate, passed by the Committee on Business, Professions, and Economic Development June 24 (vote 9-0). Passed by the Committee on Appropriations August 4. Passed by the Senate August 7 (vote 30-0).
Assembly concurred in Senate amendments August 12. ENROLLED.

SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: Officially supported by American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO; California Association of County Veterans Service Officers; Vietnam Veterans of America, Humboldt Memorial Chapter; The committee to Honor California Veterans.

AB 2134 Employment discrimination: family and medical leave. (Sande Swanson, Oakland) [UPDATED AUGUST 17] [FAILED PASSAGE SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS}
DESCRIPTION: Amends the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) to address military family leave. Authorizes up to 26 workweeks in a 12-month period of unpaid leave for "service member family leave." Defines "service member family leave" as leave to care for a covered service member.
NOTE: The Assembly Committee on Appropriations estimated the cost of this bill at $200,000 for hearings on complaints that would be generated, plus undetermined costs for leaves taken by State employees.

STATUS: Passed by the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee April 9 (vote 7-0). Placed on Suspense File by Assembly Committee on Appropriations April 23. Passed by Committee on Appropriations May 22. Passed by the Assembly May 27.
In the Senate, passed by the Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations June 25 (vote 4-1).
Placed on Suspense File by Committee on Appropriations July 14 (vote 15-0). Held under submission August 7.
Bill is dead.

SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: Supported by the California State Commanders Veterans Council.

AB 2568 Property Tax exemption: principal residence: veterans and their unmarried surviving spouses. (Guy Houston, Livermore) [FAILED PASSAGE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS]
DESCRIPTION: This bill would, beginning with the lien date for the 2009–10 fiscal year, fully exempt from property taxation the principal residence of a disabled veteran, the veteran’s spouse, and the unmarried surviving spouse of a disabled veteran and a veteran who died while on active duty as a result of a service-connected disease or injury.
For purposes of this section, a disabled veteran is one who is blind in both eyes, has lost the use of two or more limbs, or is totally disabled as a result of injury or disease incurred in military service.

STATUS: Referred to Suspense File by the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation May 5. Held under submission May 13.

AB 2577 Veterans: County Veterans Service Offices. (Mary Salas, Chula Vista) [FAILED PASSAGE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS]
DESCRIPTION: States that Veteran service officers, within the Department of Veterans Affairs, should not be included in the proposed cuts to California’s budget for the 2008–09 fiscal year.

SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: Officially supported by the California State Commanders Veterans Council; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California.

AB 2670 Department of Veterans Affairs: qualified residential rental project programs. (Mary Salas, Chula Vista) [UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2] [ENROLLED]
DESCRIPTION: Would ~~require~~ authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs to apply to the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee for the issuance of a private activity bond under the qualified residential rental project program, as provided.
Under existing law, state or local agency applicants may apply for the issuance of tax-exempt private activity bonds under six different programs, including the qualified residential rental project program.
~~As amended, would also authorize the Department to issue revenue bonds to fund multifamily housing projects sponsored by a nonprofit veteran service agency.~~
(This program, under the CDVA, would be intended to provide rental housing for homeless veterans.)

STATUS: Passed by the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs April 1 (vote 6-0 with 3 abstentions), and by Committee on Housing and Community Development April 16 (vote 7-0). Passed by Committee on Appropriations May 14 (vote 17-0). Passed by the Assembly May 22 (vote 76-0).
In the Senate, passed by the Committees on Transportation and Housing June 23 (vote 11-0), and Veterans Affairs June 24 (vote 4-0). Passed by the Committee on Appropriations August 4 (vote 13-0). Passed by the Senate August 7 (vote 39-0).
Returned to the Assembly for concurrence with Senate amendments August 7.
Returned to the Senate August 12.
Returned to the Assembly August 26.
Assembly concurred in Senate amendments August 27 (vote 73-1). Enrolled.

AB 2828 Veterans' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Fund. (Mary Salas, Chula Vista) [UPDATED AUGUST 17] [ENROLLED]
DESCRIPTION: Would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to submit a grant application to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for the purposes of funding community-based organizations, certified by the department, to provide substance abuse and mental health services to veterans.
Would also require the department to develop a process by which to certify community-based organizations that receive funding, and require the department to establish criteria of success for the purposes of determining renewal of funding to those community-based organizations.

STATUS: Passed by Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs April 15 (vote 9-0). Passed by Assembly Committee on Appropriations May 14 (vote 16-0). Passed by the Assembly May 22 (vote 73-0).
In the Senate, passed by the Committee on Veterans Affairs June 24 (vote 4-0). Passed by Committee on Appropriations August 4 (vote 13-0). Passed by the Senate August 7 (vote 39-0).
Assembly concurred with Senate amendments August 12. ENROLLED.

SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: Supported by Swords to Plowshares (sponsor).

STATUS: Passed by Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation April 14 (vote 9-0), and by the Committee on Appropriations May 7 (vote 17-0). Passed by the Assembly May 15 (vote 76-0).
In the Senate, passed by the Committees on Veterans Affairs June 24 (vote 4-0), and Revenue and Taxation June 26 (vote 7-0). Passed by Committee on Appropriations August 4. Passed by the Senate August 18 (vote 39-0).
Assembly concurred in Senate amendments August 19.

AB 3065 Public Employment: veterans. (Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs: Mary Salas, Chair, Chula Vista; Paul Cook, Yucaipa; Jim Beall, San Jose; Wilmer Carter, San Bernardino; Chuck DeVore, Irvine; Ted Lieu, El Segundo; Sharon Runner, Lancaster; and Lori Saldana, San Diego.) [UPDATED AUGUST 17] [ENROLLED]
DESCRIPTION: Would permit a person retired from the United States military honorably discharged from active military duty with a service-connected disability, or honorably discharged from active duty, to be eligible to apply for promotional civil service examinations, including examinations for career executive assignments, in the State Legislature.

STATUS: Referred to Assembly Committees on Veterans Affairs, and on Public Employees, Retirement, and Social Security. Passed by the Committee on Veterans Affairs April 1 (vote 9-0). Passed by the Committee on P.E.R. & S.S. April 9 (vote 6-0), and re-referred to the Committee on Veterans Affairs. Passed, again, by the Committee on Veterans Affairs, April 21 (vote 9-0). Referred to Suspense File by Committee on Appropriations May 7. Passed by Committee on Appropriations May 22 (vote 17-0). Passed by the Assembly May 29.
In the Senate, passed by the Committees on Public Employment and Retirement June 24 (vote 4-0), and Veterans Affairs (June 24) vote 4-0). Passed by Committee on Appropriations August 4. Passed by the Senate August 7 (vote 39-0).
Returned to Assembly. ENROLLED.

SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: Supported by California Department of Veterans Affairs (sponsor).

AB 3082 Veterans: benefits. (Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs: Mary Salas, Chula Vista, Chair; Jim Beall, San Jose; Wilmer Carter, Rialto; and Lois Wolk, Davis.) [UPDATED AUGUST 17] [FAILED PASSAGE SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS]
DESCRPTION: This bill would declare legislative intent to implement the Public Assistance and Reporting Information System (PARIS) interstate-federal match to allow the department to identify veterans enrolled in the Medi-Cal program who could receive medical benefits through the federal Veterans ~~Benefits~~ Health Administration that would either replace or supplement Medi-Cal benefits.

NOTE: The bill analysis indicated a one time cost of $200,000, but also indicated that there would be a future savings of some $25 million if only 10 percent of veterans currently on Medi-Cal Program would be shifted to VA medical care.

STATUS: Referred to Assembly Committees on Health and on Veterans Affairs. Passed by the Committee on Health on April 15 (vote 17-0), and by the Committee on Veterans Affairs April 17 (vote 9-0). Referred to the Suspense File by Assembly Committee on Appropriations May 14. Passed by Committee on Appropriations May 22 (vote 17-0). Passed by the Assembly May 29.
In the Senate, passed by the Committees on Veterans Affairs June 24 (vote 4-0), and Health (June 26 (vote 10-0). Placed on the Suspense File by the Committee on Appropriations August 4.
Held under submission August 7.
Bill is dead.

SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: Supported by the California State Commanders Veterans Council.

AB 3083 Mental Health: veterans. (Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs: Mary Salas, Chula Vista, Chair; Jim Beall, San Jose; Wilmer Carter, Rialto; and Lois Wolk, Davis. Coauthors: Paul Cook, Yucaipa; Chuck DeVore, Irvine; Sharon Runner, Lancaster.) [UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2] [ENROLLED]
DESCRIPTION: Would require counties to assist veterans in accessing federal mental health care services. Would also provide that a veteran shall not be denied services based on his or her ability to obtain services through another entity as long as the mental health needs of the veteran are not currently being met. The bill would also specifically include post-traumatic stress disorder in the definition of "serious mental disorder."

STATUS: Referred to Assembly Committees on Health and on Veterans Affairs. Passed by the Committee on Health on April 15 (Vote 16-0), and by the Committee on Veterans Affairs April 17 (vote 9-0). Referred to the Suspense File by Assembly Committee on Appropriations May 14. Passed by Committee on Appropriations May 22 (vote 17-0). Passed by the Assembly May 29.
In the Senate, passed by the Committees on Veterans Affairs June 24 (vote 4-0), and Health June 25 (vote 10-0). Placed on the Suspense File by Committee on Appropriations August 4. Passed by the Committee on Appropriations after August 11 (vote 15-0). Passed by the Senate August 14 (vote 39-0).
Assembly concurred in Senate amendments August 18. ENROLLED.

SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: Supported by the California State Commanders Veterans Council; California Association of Veteran Service Agencies; New Directions; Swords to Plowshares; U.S. Veteran Initiative; Veterans Village of San Diego; Vietnam Veterans of America.

Opposed by California Mental Health Directors Association; California State Association of Counties; Urban Counties Caucus.

SB 1220 Housing: Multifamily Housing Program: veterans. (Gilbert Cedillo, Los Angeles) [UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2] [ENROLLED]
DESCRIPTION: Would authorize a sponsor, as defined, of a project funded by the Multifamily Housing Program, to restrict occupancy of a project to persons with veteran status if the veterans to be served possess significant barriers to social reintegration and employment due to a physical or mental disability, substance abuse, or the effects of long-term homelessness that require specialized treatment and services, and the sponsor also provides, or assists in providing, the specialized treatment and services.

STATUS: Passed by Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing April 1 (vote 11-0). Passed by the Senate May 1 (vote 35-0).
In the Assembly, passed by the Committee on Housing and Community Development June 11 (vote 6-0). Passed by the Assembly August 25 (vote 75-0).
Senate concurred with Assembly amendments August 29. ENROLLED.

SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: Officially supported by the California State Commanders Veterans Council; A Community of Friends; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); American GI Forum of California; Century Housing; Los Angeles Business Council; New Directions, Inc.; Swords to Plowshares; Tenderloin Neighborhood Development.

SB 1222 County veteran service officers: funding (Gilbert Cedillo, Los Angeles) [FAILED PASSAGE SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS]
DESCRIPTION: Would appropriate an amount equal to the aggregate sum of $3 per veteran, from the General Fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs for allocation during the 2008–09 fiscal year, for purposes of funding the activities of county veteran service officers. This bill would also provide for future appropriations in the annual Budget Act, and would require the department to annually determine the total number of veterans who meet the residency requirements set forth in Section 516 of the Vehicle Code, during the preceding fiscal year and to report its determination to the Department of Finance and the Legislature.
As amended, the bill also provides that the $3 per veteran would be allocated by the Department of Veterans Affairs:
A. $2.35 shall be applied to fund the activities of the County Veterans Service Officers;
B. $0.50 shall be applied to fund a competitive grant program to allow veteran service organizations to work in conjunction with County Veteran Service Officers in veteran outreach programs.
C. $0.15 is to fund increase in staffing in the Veterans Service Division for increased grant and contract administration.
(Note: Based on the current estimate of 2.2 million veterans in the state, the above formulas would be expected to provide $5.17 million for County Veteran Service Officers, $1.1 million for the grant programs, and $330,000 for the Veterans Service Division.)

STATUS: Passed by the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs March 25 (vote 5-0). Referred to the Suspense File by Senate Committee on Appropriations with a hearing April 21. Held under submission May 22.

SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: Officially supported by the California Association of County Veteran Service Officers.

SB 1401 Armed Forces: traumatic brain injury screening. (S. Joseph Simitian, Palo Alto. Coauthor, Senate: Gil Cedillo, Los Angeles. Coauthor, Assembly: Mary Salas Chula Vista.) [UPDATED AUGUST 9] [ENROLLED]
DESCRIPTION: Would require the California Department of Veterans Affairs to assist a veteran in obtaining a best practice health screening for traumatic brain injury, and would require the Secretary, CDVA, to develop a plan for outreach to eligible veterans regarding traumatic brain injury.
As amended, the bill would also require the Adjutant General to develop a plan for outreach to eligible members of the California National Guard who have returned from combat and remain on duty.
Note: An important weakness in this bill is that it does not provide for any funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out the proposed mandate. If this bill were to pass the Legislature, it would be a prime candidate for veto by the Governor.

STATUS: Passed by the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs March 25 (vote 5-0), and by the Senate Committee on Appropriations April 14. Passed by the Senate April 17 (vote 38-0).
In the Assembly, passed by the Committee on Veterans Affairs June 18 (vote 8-0). Passed by the Committee on Appropriations July 2 (vote 17-0). Passed by the Assembly July 15 (vote 76-0).
Senate concurred in Assembly amendments August 7 (vote 39-0). ENROLLED.

SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: Officially supported by American Legion; Lt. Governor John Garamendi; Swords to Plowshares.

SB 1778 County Veterans Service Officers; funding. (Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs.) [UPDATED MAY 31] [ENROLLED]
DESCRIPTION: Existing law declares that 50% of the amount annually budgeted for county veteran service officers is approximately $5,000,0000, and that it is an efficient and reasonable use of state funds to increase the annual budget for county veteran service officers in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000.
This bill would make changes to those declarations by increasing the amount that is annually budgeted for, and that is an efficient and reasonable use of state funds to increase the annual budget for, county veteran service officers, from $5,000,000 to $11,000,000.

STATUS: Passed by Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs April 22 (vote 4-0). Passed by the Senate May 29 (vote 37-0).
In the Assembly, passed by the Committee on Veterans Affairs June 23 (vote 8-0). Passed by the Assembly August 7 (vote 75-0).
To the Senate for enrollment.

SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: Supported by the California State Commanders Veterans Council.