BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 1227
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Date of Hearing: June 28, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Jacqui Irwin, Chair
SB
1227 (Lara) - As Amended June 14, 2016
SENATE VOTE: 39-0
SUBJECT: California Conservation Corps
SUMMARY:
1)Requires the California Conservation Corps (CCC) to
collaborate with the Department of Veteran Affairs (CalVet)
and the Employment Development Department (EDD) to assist any
corpsmember who is a veteran in obtaining employment after
participating in the corps.
2)States that collaboration efforts by the CalVet shall include,
but not be limited to, veteran's supportive services and
efforts by EDD shall include, but not be limited to, workforce
services.
EXISTING LAW: Requires the CCC, in conjunction with EDD, to
place an emphasis on developing and executing plans to assist
corpsmembers in obtaining employment following their
participation in the corps.
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FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations
Committee, CalVet estimates the need for one ongoing position
and about $100,000 General Fund to implement the collaboration
required by this bill. Minor and absorbable costs to the CCC
and EDD, when individuals complete their work with the corps,
EDD provides them with services that help them obtain other
employment.
COMMENTS:
Current law states the CCC in conjunction with the EDD shall
develop and execute plans to assist corps members in gaining
employment, following their participation in the program. To
this end, the CCC provides career transition support services to
Corps participants. These services help Corps members apply
their experiences towards employment or furthering their
academic goals.
According to the author:
Although transition services for corps members are in place,
the statute is silent regarding corps members who are
Veterans. Veterans participating in the program have access to
the current support services, but the unique characteristics
attributed to a Veterans experience such as; the difference is
work culture between military and civilian life and Veterans
who have been through multiple combat deployments, may not be
fully addressed through the EDD and CCC's employment efforts,
thus presenting a gap in transitional services for Veterans
participating within the CCC.
What problem will the bill solve?
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Under existing law the state agencies involved already must
support the transition of CCC members. There is no indication
that the overall existing degree and form of such support is
insufficient. Military cultural competency is an important
issue in serving veterans but it has been not shown to be
lacking here. There is no demonstrated need for a directive that
these agencies collaborate nor a showing that they don't already
collaborate or refuse to collaborate in response to a request.
What material result or benefit will the bill achieve?
The bill language is vaguely worded even after amendments,
particularly in its use of "collaborate" and "collaboration."
Without a clear expression of Legislative intent, legislation
may produce a spectrum of outcomes, including no result, other
than the desired result, or a negative result. This bill cannot
be certain to produce any tangible result or measurable benefit
to veterans. The problem with the wording of the bill arises
from the lack of a clear Legislative objective.
Veterans face challenges and have unique needs that urgently
need attention.
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There are critical challenges and unmet needs of the veteran
community arising from their service to the Nation. There are
critical challenges and unmet needs of the veteran community
arising from their service to the Nation. Though the bill may
result in an incremental positive change for the limited number
of veterans in the CCC, the bill does not focus on a known area
of need and it may divert policymakers from addressing such
areas.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
American G.I. Forum of California
AMVETS-Department of California
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
California Association of Local Conservation Corps
Conservation Corps of Long Beach
Habitat for Humanity
Military Officers Association of America, California Council of
Chapters
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Paramount American Legion Post #134
VFW-Department of California
Vietnam Veterans of America-California State Council
Opposition
None on File.
Analysis Prepared by:John Spangler / V.A. / (916)
319-3550