BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 258 Page 1 Date of Hearing: April 17, 2013 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Mike Gatto, Chair AB 258 (Chavez) - As Introduced: February 7, 2013 Policy Committee: Veterans AffairsVote: 9-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: SUMMARY This bill requires every state agency that requests whether a person is a veteran, on any written form or written publication, or through a website, to request that information only with the question: "Have you ever served in the military?" This requirement applies only to written forms printed on or after January 1, 2014. FISCAL EFFECT Minor costs to for state agencies to change written materials that inquire as to persons' veteran status. Assuming the author's intent is to provide state agencies lead time to affect these written changes, it may be preferable to apply the change date to 2015 to give state agencies ample opportunity to prepare. COMMENTS Rationale. According to the author, it is not uncommon for people to answer incorrectly when asked if they are a veteran. Currently California residents are simply asked, "Are you a veteran?" Although a simple question, some veterans believe they are not actually veterans because they have never served in combat or because they are women. The author's concern is that veterans who do not identify themselves as such can lose out on a series of veterans' benefits. AB 258 Page 2 Analysis Prepared by : Geoff Long / APPR. / (916) 319-2081