BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 1913 Page 1 Date of Hearing: March 29, 2016 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS Jacqui Irwin, Chair AB 1913 (Baker) - As Introduced February 11, 2016 SUBJECT: Veterans: unemployment insurance SUMMARY: Requires the Employment Development Department (EDD), upon request of the local county veterans service officer (CVSO), to provide training to the county veterans service officer and his or her staff in providing assistance to veterans applying for unemployment insurance benefits. EXISTING LAW: 1)Authorizes the EDD, within the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, to perform various functions and duties with respect to job creation and retention activities. 2)Requires the department to research the needs of veterans throughout the state and develop a profile of veterans' employment and training needs and to develop a statewide plan for the equitable distribution of employment funds for veterans' employment services. 3)Authorizes the board of supervisors of each county to appoint AB 1913 Page 2 a CVSO to provide veteran-related services. FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown. COMMENTS: According to the Author: If CVSOs were trained on how to assist veterans with enrolling in unemployment insurance benefits, a single visit to the CVSO would allow veterans to enroll in many invaluable services. AB 1913 requires EDD, upon request of the CVSO, to provide training to the CVSOs to assist veterans applying for unemployment insurance benefits. In doing so, CVSOs will be able to provide this critical service to veterans in an efficient and supportive manner. This bill would ease the transition process for veterans by providing as many resources as possible from a single point of contact. Veterans would be able to receive critical benefits within one convenient visit in their community. Policy Questions for the members: 1)Is there a problem that this bill will solve? Do CVSOs already assist veterans with unemployment insurance claims? 2)How many CVSOs need training of this type? Is EDD refusing to provide training to CVSOs on request? AB 1913 Page 3 3)If a problem exists, does it warrant legislation or could a solution be achieved by a request from a CVSO to EDD? REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION: None on file Opposition None on File Analysis Prepared by:John Spangler / V.A. / (916) 319-3550