BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 75
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Date of Hearing: May 6, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
75 (Mathis) - As Amended April 23, 2015
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill continuously appropriates $3 million General Fund
(GF), each fiscal year, to the Department of Veterans Affairs
(CalVet) for the purpose of funding 36 Veteran Claims
Representative positions to ensure the quality and timeliness of
AB 75
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claims filed through the United States Department of Veterans
Affairs (USDVA) on behalf of California veterans and their
families.
FISCAL EFFECT:
This bill makes an annual $3 million GF continuous appropriation
to CalVet, without regard to fiscal year. The Budget Act of
2014 appropriates $3 million to CalVet for the purpose of
assisting the USDVA in processing veterans' claims.
Continuous appropriations, particularly from the General Fund,
have been contrary to the general policy of this committee.
COMMENTS:
Purpose/Background. In 2013, the state budget authorized $3
million and 36 limited-term positions that allowed CalVet to
coordinate with the federal VA to assist in reducing its massive
veterans' claims backlog. The funds appropriated were used to
hire a "Strike Force" team of 12 Veterans Claims Representatives
(VCR) for each of VA's regional offices in San Diego, Los
Angeles and Oakland to focus on backlogged claims, ensuring they
are properly developed and have all necessary documentation
needed for adjudication.
At the time the Strike Teams were initially deployed in the Fall
of 2013, the national average wait-time for benefits from the
federal government was 349.6 days, meaning the average veteran
waited nearly a year before receiving benefits that are
considered a right. The average wait times in Los Angeles and
Oakland were significantly worse than the national average, at
619.4 days and 617.8 days, respectively.
AB 75
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CalVet issues monthly Joint Claims Initiative Reports (Report).
The Reports include status updates on the work of the Strike
Teams. The March 26, 2015 Report confirms the success of the
Strike Teams, which is noted by the author. The Report states
that the Strike Teams will continue to be needed for an extended
time.
Analysis Prepared by:Pedro R. Reyes / APPR. / (916)
319-2081