BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 258
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ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 258 (Chávez)
As Amended April 23, 2013
Majority Vote
VETERANS AFFAIRS 9-0 APPROPRIATIONS 17-0
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|Ayes:|Muratsuchi, Chávez, |Ayes:|Gatto, Harkey, Bigelow, |
| |Atkins, Brown, Eggman, | |Bocanegra, Bradford, Ian |
| |Fox, Grove, Melendez, | |Calderon, Campos, |
| |Salas | |Donnelly, Eggman, Gomez, |
| | | |Hall, Holden, Linder, |
| | | |Pan, Quirk, Wagner, |
| | | |Ammiano |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Changes the wording of how the state asks those with
whom it interacts about their military or veteran status.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Mandates that every state agency that inquires whether a
person is a veteran must request that information only in the
following format: "Have you ever served in the United States
military?"
2)Specifies that this section shall apply only to a written form
or written publication that is newly printed on or after July
1, 2014.
EXISTING LAW does not specify the form of this kind of inquiry.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, minor costs to state agencies to change written
materials that inquire as to a person's veteran status.
COMMENTS : In 2011, the most recent data available from the
United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA), California
veterans received an average compensation and pension amount of
$1,929. This was less than the national average of $2,104.
Increasing the participation rate for California veterans would
benefit the veterans and the economy of the state.
AB 258
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According to the author when residents are asked if they are a
veteran many will incorrectly answer in the negative:
Currently California residents are simply asked, "Are
you a veteran?" Although a very simple question, many
veterans believe they are not true veterans because
they have never served in combat or, most commonly,
because they are women. In 2011 the California
Research Bureau [CRB] conducted a survey on women, 63
of the 843 respondents (7.4%), marked that they were
not a veteran then included comments such as, "I
served in the Air Force," additionally the women
stated "I thought veteran benefits were only for men."
Furthermore, when the CRB held the ICV (Interagency
Council on Veterans) meetings in December 2011, and
Jan. and Feb. 2012 both women in the services
repeatedly stated that the, "Are you a veteran?"
question was insufficient for identifying female
veterans and men who had not served in combat.
Veterans who do not identify themselves can lose out
on many Federal Benefits for which they are entitled.
Such benefits include the GI Bill, disability
compensation and pension, access to free or reduced
cost medical care, vocational rehab, unemployment
benefits, veteran home loans, burial benefits, and
survivor benefits.
The bill seeks a small change which will increase veterans'
participation in benefits and services they have earned, aiding
them and the economy. Further, it provides a reasonable
phase-in period to allow time for changes in digital and printed
materials without waste or creating a crisis. Finally, for all
veterans, but with particular respect to female veterans, as
stated by the author, "It is a shame that many of our female
veterans do not believe they are entitled to the same benefits
as their male counterparts. AB 258 is a small change that will
positively impact our female veterans and ensure they have
access to the benefits they deserve."
Analysis Prepared by : John Spangler / V. A. / (916) 319-3550
AB 258
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