BILL NUMBER: AB 717	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  SEPTEMBER 5, 2013
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 21, 2013

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Chávez

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2013

   An act to amend Sections 66.5 and 72 of, to add Section 73.4 to,
and to repeal Section 69.5 of, the Military and Veterans Code,
relating to veterans.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 717, as amended, Chávez. Veterans.
   (1) Existing law establishes the California Veterans Board,
composed of 7 members with specified qualifications who are appointed
by the Governor and subject to the confirmation of the Senate, to
determine the policies for all operations of the Department of
Veterans Affairs.
   This bill would require the board to  instead serve as an
advisory body to   advise the department and  the
Secretary of the Department of Veterans of Affairs  on policies
for operations of the department, and would require the department to
respond to all proposed policy changes   offered by the
board prior to the next scheduled meeting of the board  . This
bill would also eliminate certain qualifications to be a member of
the board, and require every board member to be a member in good
standing with a congressionally chartered veteran service
organization.
   (2) Existing law requires the board to annually report to the
Legislature regarding the activities, accomplishments, and
expenditures of the board.
   This bill would repeal this requirement.
   (3) Existing law sets forth the duties of the secretary and the
board with regard to the administration of the department to benefit
California veterans.
   This bill would require the secretary and the board to each seek
to confer with the California State Commanders Veterans Council at
least twice per calendar year on issues affecting California
veterans.
   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.    The Legislature finds and declares all
of the following:  
   (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to make the California
Veterans Board more responsive to California's veterans by removing
outdated language from the Military and Veterans Code, and by
removing unnecessary professional requirements for board members,
thereby increasing the number of veterans eligible for appointment by
the Governor.  
   (b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the changes to law
made by this act have no impact or effect on the ability of a veteran
to appeal any decision made by a division of the Department of
Veterans Affairs to the California Veterans Board, as allowed by
Section 86 of the Military and Veterans Code, including, but not
limited to, an appeal regarding the denial of admission to a Veterans'
Home of California. 
   SECTION 1.   SEC. 2.   Section 66.5 of
the Military and Veterans Code is amended to read:
   66.5.  (a) Every member of the board shall be a member in good
standing with a congressionally chartered veteran service
organization.
   (b) One member of the board shall have substantial training,
professional knowledge, or experience in the issues faced by female
veterans which may include, but are not limited to, the following
issues:
   (1) Combat-related disorders.
   (2) Sexual trauma.
   (3) Homelessness.
   (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any
member of the board from serving the remainder of his or her term.
   SEC. 2.   SEC. 3.   Section 69.5 of the
Military and Veterans Code is repealed.
   SEC. 3.   SEC. 4.   Section 72 of the
Military and Veterans Code is amended to read:
   72.  The California Veterans Board shall  serve as an
advisory body to the secretary   advise the department
and secretary on policies for operations of the department. The
department shall respond to all proposed polic   y changes
offered by the California Veterans Board prior to the next scheduled
meeting of the board  .
   SEC. 4.   SEC. 5.   Section 73.4 is
added to the Military and Veterans Code, to read:
   73.4.  The secretary and the board shall each seek to confer with
the California State Commanders Veterans Council at least twice per
calendar year on issues affecting California veterans.