BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1401
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 13, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
1401 (Baker) - As Introduced February 27, 2015
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill requests the Office of the Adjutant General (OAG) to
make available information pertaining to education benefits and
opportunities to members of the California National Guard, the
State Military Reserve, and the Naval Militia who do not hold a
AB 1401
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baccalaureate degree. The bill also requests that the OAG assist
these persons in completing the associated forms, as necessary.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Negligible costs to the Military Department to provide the
information requested.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose and Background. According to the author, "This bill
will add Section 981.8 to the Military and Veterans Code.
Section 981.8 reinstates the law that expired on January 1,
2012, and requests the Office of the Adjutant general annually
to provide all of the following available resources to each
member of the California National Guard, the State Military
Reserve, and the Naval Militia who do not have a baccalaureate
degree: (1) a copy of the enrollment fee waiver application
of the Board of Governors of the California Community
Colleges; (2) a copy of the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA); (3) a copy of the latest brochure of
information relative to the current Post-9/11 GI Bill; (4) a
copy of the latest brochure of information relative to the
California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program;
(5) contact information for a county Veterans Service Officer
or the division responsible within the California Department
of Veterans Affairs for higher education or the California
National Guard, and (6) any necessary assistance required to
complete the aforementioned forms."
Existing law provides various benefits for veterans including
the GI Bill, National Guard Education Assistance Award
Program, and other state and federal benefits.
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The Military Department has continued to make available
information pertaining to educational benefits and
opportunities to service members via the Civilian Education
Department and through the California National Guard Education
Assistance Award Program, notwithstanding the sunset on the
prior Section 981.8.
Analysis Prepared by:Pedro R Reyes / APPR. / (916)
319-2081