BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AJR 7
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Date of Hearing: April 28, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Jacqui Irwin, Chair
AJR 7
(Mathis) - As Introduced February 25, 2015
SUBJECT: Disabled veterans: first businesses
SUMMARY: Requests changes in the GI Bill, as specified.
Specifically, this resolution: >
1.Requests that the Congress of the United States of America
further amend the GI Bill of Rights to make benefits
available, with all appropriate safeguards, to disabled
veterans for use as startup capital in the establishment of
first businesses;
2.Directs the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of the
resolution to the President and Vice President of the United
States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the
Majority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and
Representative from California in the Congress of the United
States
EXISTING LAW: The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act
of 2008 is Title V of the Supplemental Appropriations Act of
2008, Pub.L. 110-252, H.R. 2642, an Act of Congress which became
law on June 30, 2008.
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FISCAL EFFECT: None, this measure is not keyed fiscal.
COMMENTS: According to the author:
California is currently home to more than 1,800,000 veterans
of our Armed Forces. Men and women of the State of California
volunteer to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States in
greater numbers than those from any other state. California
veterans have been grateful recipients of the financial
support of their fellow Americans through the Veterans
Administration and the GI Bill.
The Congress of the United States passed, and President
Franklin D. Roosevelt signed, the GI Bill of Rights in 1944 to
support our veterans of World War II in their transition back
to civilian life. Congress in 2008 added significant new
benefits for those who enlisted to serve the nation in the
wake of the attacks on the United States on September 11,
2001.
Up to 10 percent of veterans choose to start, run, and own
their own businesses.
Some veterans transitioning to civilian life may elect to start
their own businesses as a civilian career path instead of going
to school. The armed services have the Transition GPS (formerly
TAP) program, which assists members leaving active service.
TGPS recognizes that many servicemembers will elect to start
businesses and features an entrepreneurship track.
The concept of this measure is to assist future entrepreneurs
transitioning from military to civilian life in the same way
that we currently assist future scholars. This is a strong
overall concept. However, the details of creating a parallel or
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complementary Entrepreneurship GI Bill will be very important.
The measure recognizes this and contains language pertaining to
appropriate safeguards for use in the concept advanced. Careful
consideration to the details including safeguards, protections,
and support for veteran entrepreneurs will be important aspects
for Congress and the President to consider.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
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Opposition
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Analysis Prepared by:John Spangler / V.A. / (916) 319-3550
AJR 7
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