BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2784
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 5, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
AB 2784 (Committee on Veterans Affairs) - As Amended: April
20, 2010
Policy Committee: Veterans
AffairsVote: 9-0 (Consent)
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill increases the size and oversight role of the
California Veterans Board and requires the Department of
Veterans Affairs (DVA) to increase its strategic planning
efforts. Specifically, this bill:
1)Increases the board from seven to nine members, and requires
that two of the members shall have served in the conflict in
Iraq or Afghanistan.
2)Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in addition to
fully briefing the board regarding the impact on veterans of a
policy change prior to effectuating that change, to also brief
the board prior to recommending any such policy change
impacting veterans.
3)Applies the above requirement to any veterans program or
service provided by another state agency.
4)Requires DVA to assess the needs of the veteran community, in
part by soliciting input from county veteran services officers
and other veteran services organizations.
5)Requires DVA, in consultation with the board, to develop
measurable goals and objectives and to report annually to the
board on its progress in meeting the goals and objectives.
FISCAL EFFECT
1)One-time GF costs of around $100,000 in contracts to assist
AB 2784
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the department with the needs assessment and development of
performance measures.
2)Ongoing cost of at least $50,000 for a half-time position for
increase coordination with the Veterans Board.
3)Negligible travel-related cost for the two additional board
members.
COMMENTS
Purpose . Legislation establishing the California Veterans Board
was enacted in 1946. The board is responsible for determining
the policies for all operations of the DVA. The statutes
outlining membership and composition of the board changed five
times between 1996 and 2002, typically defining the types of
expertise the Legislature expects from veterans sitting on the
board. Expanding the board to include veterans from Operation
Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operations Iraqi Freedom
(Iraq) is intended to provide the needed expertise in light of
the changing needs of newer veterans which a different combat
experience.
An October 2009 report from the Bureau of State Audits found
that the DVA did not formally assess veterans' needs or involve
key stakeholders, such as county veterans services officers, in
its strategic planning process. The author believes use of the
California Veterans Board and other veterans groups would have
given more continuity and direction to the development and
implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan.
Analysis Prepared by : Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081