BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2785
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 13, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Paul J. Cook, Chair
AB 2785 (Committee on Veterans Affairs) - As Introduced: March
8, 2010
SUBJECT : Department of Veterans Affairs: administration
SUMMARY : This bill would require the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, on or before June 30, 2011, and every year thereafter,
to identify other state agencies and departments that offer or
provide services to veterans, for the purpose of entering into
formal agreements that specify the respective roles and
activities of the entities.
EXISTING LAW states the Department of Veterans Affairs has
specified powers and duties relating to military veterans, and
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is in charge of the
department.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown.
COMMENTS : A 2009 audit performed by the State Auditor of the
Department of Veterans Affairs confirmed that the department
provides few direct services to veterans, outside of its veteran
homes and Cal Vet Home Loan Program, and that the department has
extremely limited interaction and few formal agreements with
other state agencies and other departments that could provide
additional services to veterans if done in a coordinated and
efficient manner.
The author states that this dysfunction unfortunately comes at a
critical time, with California on the verge of experiencing the
return of thousands of soldiers from Operation Iraqi Freedom
(OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) who will need to be
reintegrated back into the workforce and the community. Many of
those veterans will have served multiple tours of duty in combat
zones and thus will likely suffer from both physical and mental
health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and
traumatic brain injury (TBI).
AB 2785
Page 2
The 2009 audit additionally noted that the strategic plan of the
department covering fiscal years 2007 to 2012, inclusive, is
incomplete and has not formally assessed the needs of veterans
or included key stakeholders in its strategic planning process,
nor has it effectively measured the department's progress
towards meeting the goals and objectives identified in the plan.
The 2009 audit goes on to state that because it did not engage
in a formal approach to creating its strategic plan the Veterans
Services Division within the California Department of Veterans
Affairs may have missed key entities that it could work with to
increase veterans' awareness of available benefits or enhance
the services available to veterans.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
American Legion, Department of California
AMVETS, Department of California
Vietnam Veterans of America, CA State Council
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Eric Worthen / V. A. / (916) 319-3550