BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2785
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 2785 (Veterans Affairs Committee)
As Amended May 12, 2010
Majority vote
VETERANS AFFAIRS 9-0 APPROPRIATIONS 15-0
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|Ayes:|Cook, Salas, Block, |Ayes:|Fuentes, Conway, Ammiano, |
| |Gilmore, Knight, Lieu, | |Coto, Davis, Hall, |
| |Saldana, V. Manuel Perez, | |Harkey, Hill, Lowenthal, |
| |Yamada | |Miller, Nielsen, Norby, |
| | | |Skinner, Solorio, |
| | | |Torlakson |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
(Secretary), 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 (DVA) has
specified powers and duties relating to military veterans, and
the Secretary is in charge of DVA.
FISCAL EFFECT : General Fund costs of around $100,000 annually
for up to two years for the equivalent of one full-time position
in DVA 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 DVA by the State Auditor confirmed that DVA provides few
direct services to veterans, outside of its veteran homes and
Cal Vet Home Loan Program, and that DVA 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 and
AB 2785
Page 2
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 DVA
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: 0004344