I am using the form of an attachment again this week because of the length of this report. If anyone has a problem opening the attachment, please advise.

The information on the website concerning these bills has been updated and can be viewed at http://www.califveterans.com/.

For information, it now appears that at least 40 members of the California State Assembly will be participating in the Veterans Recognition day. The date of the event has been changed (by the Chair of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee) to May 13. Detailed information will be provided at the Council meeting scheduled in Fresno on April 12 — and important decisions by the Council will be required.

Bill Manes, Legislative Officer
California State Commanders Veterans Council

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The following is a continuation of the report from last week concerning the multitude of bills which have been introduced in the State Legislature this year related to veterans affairs.

AB 2082 Student financial aid: military service. (Mary Salas, Chula Vista)
Existing law requires that priority for the Cal Grant B Entitlement awards be given to students with the lowest expected family contribution and the highest level of academic merit.
This bill would require that priority also be given to students serving in the California National Guard with at least 2 years of service.
Scheduled for hearing by Assembly Committee on Higher Education on March 25.
Council position: Support. A letter has already been sent to Assemblymember Salas based on the Council’s Legislative Platform adopted January 26, 2008.

AB 2671 Prisoners: veterans. (Mary Salas, Chula Vista)
Would require each county sheriff and the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to ascertain whether any person committed to his or her facility is a military veteran, and if the person is a veteran, report that status to the county veteran service officer.
Scheduled for hearing April 1, 2008.
Council position: Recommend support. Although this item was not included in the Council’s current legislative platform, there has certainly been an interest by the Council in this subject in past years. Unless any objection is raised, I will send a letter of support on behalf of the Council this week, and will testify for the bill during the Committee hearing on April 1.

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.)
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.
Referred to Assembly Committees on Veterans Affairs, and on Public Employment, Retirement, and Social Security.
Council position: Recommend support. Although this item was not included in the Council’s current legislative platform, the subject falls under the heading of veterans preference in public employment which has been regularly supported by the Council in past years. Unless any objection is raised, I will send a letter of support on behalf of the Council this week.

SB 1219 Student financial aid: member and former members of the Armed Forces. (Gilbert Cedillo, Los Angeles)
Would, commencing with the 2009–10 award year, entitle a student who was not awarded a Cal Grant A or B award at the time of his or her high school graduation, who is a member or former member of the United States Armed Forces, and who enrolls at a campus of the California Community Colleges or a qualifying baccalaureate program, to a Cal Grant A or B award. The bill would also require the Student Aid Commission to make preliminary awards to all applicants currently eligible for an award under the program, and would require each person who receives a preliminary award to affirm, in writing, under penalty of perjury, that he or she meets specified requirements for eligibility in the program, thus expediting awards to all applicants.
Referred to Senate Committee on Education, with a hearing scheduled on April 2.
Council position: Recommend support. Although this item was not included in the Council’s current legislative platform, the Council has supported bills in past years concerning postsecondary education benefits for veterans. Unless any objection is raised, I will send a letter of support on behalf of the Council this week.

SB 1290 National Guard: Educational Benefits. (Mark Wyland, San Juan Capistrano/Carlsbad)
Would require any campus of the University of California, the California State University, or the California Community Colleges to provide a tuition and fee waiver, as specified, to any qualified member of the California National Guard.
Note: This bill is similar to AB 1758, reported last week
Council position: Support. A letter has already been sent to Senator Wyland based on the Council’s Legislative Platform adopted January 26, 2008..

SB 1401 Armed Forces: traumatic brain injury screening. (S. Joseph Simitian, Palo Alto.)
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.
Scheduled for hearing by Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on March 25.
Council support: Recommend support. Unless any objection is raised, I will send a letter of support on behalf of the Council this week.

SB 1572 Veterans Bond Act of 2008. (Mark Wyland, San Juan Capistrano/Carlsbad)
Provides for submission of a bond proposal to the voters during the November 2008 election to provide for issuance of General Obligation Bonds to support the CAL-VET Farm and Home Loan Program. The new bonds are expected to be needed to fund new applications from veterans of OIF/OEF who will be eligible for the program with the expected changes to federal laws.
Scheduled for hearing by Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on Mary 25.
Council support: Recommend support. Unless any objection is raised, I will send a letter of support on behalf of the Council this week.

Bill Manes, Legislative Officer

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