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 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Policy |Veterans Affairs |Vote:|9 - 0 | |Committee: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Page 2 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. AB 1401 Page 3 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