BILL NUMBER: AB 2143	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 19, 2010
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 6, 2010

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Gilmore
    (   Principal coauthor:   Assembly Member
  Cook   ) 

                        FEBRUARY 18, 2010

   An act to add Section 64.5 to the Military and Veterans Code,
relating to military and veterans.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2143, as amended, Gilmore. The Department of Veterans Affairs:
consolidation of services to veterans.
   Existing law establishes the Department of  Veteran's
  Veterans  Affairs within state government and
sets forth its powers and duties, including, but not limited to,
administration of veterans benefits programs. Existing law
establishes the California Veterans Board within the department and
sets forth its powers and duties, including, but not limited to its
power to determine operational policy for the department.
   This bill would establish the California Veterans Services and
Workforce Development Division within the Department of Veterans
Affairs for the purpose of coordinating and administering veterans
assistance programs in the state, and would require the division to
perform various functions and duties relating to the coordination and
administration of veterans assistance programs, as specified.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature hereby finds and declares the
following:
   (a) California has the largest veteran population in the nation,
comprised of an estimated 2 million veterans. Each month, thousands
of military personnel are released from active service, and face
tremendous challenges transitioning back into civilian life.
   (b) The challenges military veterans face are compounded by a
complex system of veteran assistance programs that is difficult to
navigate.
   (c) The United States Department of Veterans Affairs expended
approximately $6 billion in California in the 2005 federal fiscal
year. Of that amount, $2.66 billion was in disability payments
(compensation and benefits) to veterans. The states that have the
largest veteran populations in the nation are California, Florida,
and Texas. Texas veterans have collected 44 percent more disability
benefits than the amount collected by California veterans.
   (d) Increasing disability benefit participation in California in
an amount that would approach the national average could generate an
additional $330 million in annual payments to California veterans.
  SEC. 2.  Section 64.5 is added to the Military and Veterans Code,
to read:
   64.5.  (a) The California Veterans Services and Workforce
Development Division is hereby established within the department for
the purpose of coordinating and administering veterans assistance
programs in the state. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall have
authority over the division.
   (b) The division shall do all of the following:
   (1) Coordinate with other state agencies that provide benefits and
assistance to veterans to ensure that information about veterans
assistance programs and benefits is made available to all state
agencies that serve veterans in the state.
   (2) Administer the Transitional Assistance Program (TAP) and the
Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP),  as prescribed under
the Jobs for Veterans State Grants program,  in cooperation with
the Employment Development Department. The division shall work with
staff from the Employment Development Department to develop a plan
whereby responsibility for the administration of TAP and DVOP shall
be transferred from the Employment Development Department to the
division.
   (3) Ensure that other state agencies and officials that are
involved in the implementation and administration of veterans
services programs are informed when any changes in existing programs
are required, or new programs are established that provide assistance
and benefits to veterans, and require that those agencies and
officials report to the division when those changes occur or new
programs are established.
   (4) Collaborate with staff from other state agencies including,
but not limited to, the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, the
Employment Training Panel, the California Workforce Investment Board,
the State Department of Mental Health, the Department of General
Services, the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, and
representatives of the University of California, the California State
University, and the California Community Colleges with regard to the
provision of veterans services and benefits.