BILL NUMBER: AB 716	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Huber

                        FEBRUARY 26, 2009

   An act to add Section 722 to the Military and Veterans Code,
relating to veterans.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 716, as introduced, Huber. Veteran services: state agencies and
departments.
   Under existing law, the Department of Veterans Affairs has
specified powers and duties relating to veterans.
   This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to
establish a veteran data exchange system and enter into memorandums
of understanding or interagency agreements with other state agencies
and departments to ascertain the veteran status of all persons
receiving services, benefits, or assistance from those state agencies
and departments, as provided.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 722 is added to the Military and Veterans Code,
to read:
   722.  (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

   (1) The United States Department of Veterans Affairs spent $6.1
billion in California in federal fiscal year 2006, $2.66 billion of
which was for disability payments to veterans. These disability
payments are directly paid to veterans and generate a significant
contribution to California's economy.
   (2) Unfortunately, only approximately 11 percent of veterans who
are eligible in California participate in these programs. California
ranks 38th nationally in terms of participation rates. On a per
capita basis, Texas and Florida collect 44 percent and 31 percent
more respectively in disability benefits than California. This
difference is primarily due to Texas and Florida having more veterans'
services representatives available to assist veterans in pursuing
benefit claims.
   (3) It is estimated that if California could increase the
participation rate to the national average of slightly over 12
percent, over $330 million more could be returned to the state and
local economy and paid to our resident veterans who need that money
to support themselves and their families.
   (4) Unfortunately, the backlog of pending claims with the federal
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) is now approximately 600,000,
due in part to the surge in claims from the Iraq and Afghan wars, and
consequently it can take the VBA years to process and appeal claims.

   (5) County veteran service officers and veterans service
organizations have assumed the primary responsibility to assist
veterans in accessing these federal benefits, but the funding for
this valuable service is scarce. Consequently, the California
Department of Veterans Affairs and other state agencies and
departments, as well as local government agencies, that come into
regular contact with veterans and returning National Guard members
must do a better job informing resident veterans and their dependents
of their eligibility for these benefits so that veterans and their
dependents can enroll and begin the application process sooner.
   (b) The department shall establish a veteran data exchange system
and enter into memorandums of understanding or interagency agreements
with other state agencies or departments to ascertain the veteran
status of all persons receiving services, benefits, or assistance
from those state agencies and departments.