BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AJR 7
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AJR
7 (Mathis)
As Amended April 21, 2015
Majority vote
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|Committee |Votes |Ayes |Noes |
|----------------+------+----------------------+--------------------|
|Veterans |9-0 |Irwin, Mathis, Alejo, | |
|Affairs | |Brough, Brown, | |
| | |Chávez, Daly, | |
| | |Frazier, Salas | |
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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 veterans for use as startup
capital in the establishment of first businesses;
2)Directs the Chief Clerk of the Assembly to 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
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EXISTING LAW: The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act
of 2008 is Title V of the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008,
Public Law 110-252, H.R. 2642, an Act of Congress which became law
on June 30, 2008.
FISCAL EFFECT: None. This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by the
Legislative Counsel.
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 [Goals, Plans,
Success] (formerly TAP [Transition Assistance Program]) program,
AJR 7
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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
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.
Analysis Prepared by:
John Spangler / V.A. / (916) 319-3550 FN: 0000225