BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2785
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 2785 (Committee on Veterans Affairs)
As Introduced March 8, 2010
Majority vote
VETERANS AFFAIRS 9-0 APPROPRIATIONS 15-0
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|Ayes:|Cook, Salas, Block, |Ayes:|Fuentes, Conway, Ammiano, |
| |Knight, Gilmore, Lieu, V. | |Coto, Davis, Bonnie |
| |Manuel Perez, Saldana, | |Lowenthal, Hall, Harkey, |
| |Yamada | |Miller, Nielsen, Norby, |
| | | |Skinner, Solorio, |
| | | |Torlakson, Hill |
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SUMMARY : Requires 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 California 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 : General Fund costs of around $100,000 annually
for up to two years for the equivalent of one full-time position
in the Department of Veterans Affairs to identify and enter into
agreements with other state agencies providing veterans
agencies. Costs to the other agencies should be absorbable.
COMMENTS : According to the findings of the bill, a 2009 audit
of the California Department of Veterans Affairs by the State
Auditor 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
AB 2785
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critical time, with California on the verge of experiencing the
return of thousands of soldiers from Operation Iraqi Freedom and
Operation Enduring Freedom. Many will have served multiple
tours of duty in combat zones and thus will likely suffer from
both physical and mental health issues.
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.
Analysis Prepared by : Eric Worthen / V. A. / (916) 319-3550
FN: 0004103