BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 1592
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   April 10, 2012

                       ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
                                 Paul J. Cook, Chair
                    AB 1592 (Olsen) - As Amended:  March 26, 2012
           
          SUBJECT  :   Veterans: benefits: fee waiver

           SUMMARY  :  Allows a governing board of any county or city to 
          grant financial assistance, relief, and support to disabled 
          veterans by reducing or waiving specified fees for modifying a 
          dwelling for the purpose of greater accessibility.  
          Specifically,  this bill  :  

          1)Allows a governing board of any county or city to grant 
            financial assistance, relief, and support to disabled veterans 
            by reducing or waiving building inspection or permit fees 
            charged by the county or city for the modification of a 
            dwelling owned by a disabled veteran for the purpose of making 
            the dwelling more accessible.

          2)Requires the governing body to use its general fund or other 
            appropriate revenue source to compensate for the difference 
            between a fee reduced or waived pursuant to the bill's 
            provisions and the fee that would otherwise be charged.

          3)Uses the same definition for "disabled veterans" as existing 
            law, which is defined as "a veteran of the military, naval, or 
            air service of the United States, including, but not limited 
            to, the Philippine Commonwealth Army, the Regular Scouts, "Old 
            Scouts" and the Special Philippine Scouts, "New Scouts," who 
            has a least a 10-percent service-connected disability and who 
            is domiciled in the state."


           EXISTING LAW   

          1)Allows the board of supervisors of any county or the 
            legislative body of any city to grant financial assistance, 
            relief, and support to indigent veterans, and specifies that 
            such assistance, relief, and support shall be administered 
            through and by any military, naval, or marine organization 
            created for the purpose of aiding, relieving, and supporting 
            such veterans.









                                                                  AB 1592
                                                                  Page  2

          2)Allows eligible veterans to hawk, peddle and vend any goods, 
            wares, or merchandise owned by the veteran, as specified, 
            without payment of any business license, tax, or fee by any 
            municipality, county, or the state.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :   None.

           COMMENTS  :   

             1)   Should the authority for a fee waiver or reduction be 
               expanded to include all disabled persons who need improved 
               access to their homes and want to make modifications?

             2)   It is unclear that local governments need a state 
               statute in order to be able to set, waive, or otherwise 
               modify their fees and charges.

           REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION  :   

           Support 
           
          Regional Council of Rural Counties
          Board of Supervisors, Mono County
          California State Association of Counties

           Opposition 
           
          None on File
           
          Analysis Prepared by  :    John Spangler / V. A. / (916) 319-3550