BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1592
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1592 (Olsen)
As Amended March 26, 2012
Majority vote
LOCAL GOVERNMENT 9-0 VETERANS AFFAIRS 8-0
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|Ayes:|Smyth, Alejo, Bradford, |Ayes:|Pan, Atkins, Block, |
| |Campos, Davis, Gordon, | |Gorell, Nielsen, V. |
| |Hueso, Knight, Norby | |Manuel P�rez, Williams, |
| | | |Yamada |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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,
AB 1592
Page 2
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.
2)Allows eligible veterans to hawk, peddle and vend any goods,
wares or merchandise owned by him or her, as specified,
without payment of any business license, tax or fee by any
municipality, county or the state.
FISCAL EFFECT : None
COMMENTS : This bill, sponsored by Mono County, permits cities
and counties to waive certain local government fees for disabled
veterans for the modification of a dwelling owned by the
disabled veteran for the purpose of making the dwelling more
accessible. According to the author and sponsor, "counties like
Mono would like to help disabled veterans return to civilian
life, just as they are currently able to do for indigent
veterans." They believe that this bill will "allow local
jurisdictions the option of reducing or waiving building
inspection and permit fees for ADA-type modifications to homes
owned by veterans with service-related disabilities."
The Legislature may wish to consider whether this bill should
include a definition of the term "accessible" as it used in the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide clarification
to cities and counties about the types of modifications that
could qualify for reduced or waived fees.
This bill contains provisions that ensure that the burden of any
reduction or waiving of fees is not placed on other fee payers
but is instead borne by the city or county's general fund or
other appropriate revenue source.
California offers several programs targeted to benefit the needs
of veterans. According to the California Department of Veterans
Affairs, there are programs in place that waive college tuition
fees for veterans' dependents at community colleges, the
California State University and University of California system,
a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Program, and a program
that gives veterans preference in civil service examinations.
Additionally, there are programs that waive motor vehicle
AB 1592
Page 3
registration fees, provide free "DV" (Disabled Veterans)
handicap parking license plates for qualified veterans, allow
for reduced fishing and hunting license fees for veterans,
provide lifetime California Parks passes, and allow for a waiver
of municipal, county and state business license fees and taxes
for veterans for specified business activities. This bill could
potentially add additional benefits for those disabled veterans
that wish to modify their homes, if the county in which the
disabled veteran lives chooses to waive or reduce building
inspection or permit fees.
Support arguments: This bill sets up a program that is
permissive in nature and allows cities and counties to help with
the financial aspects of modifying and upgrading dwellings owned
by veterans.
Opposition arguments: While this bill is permissive and does
not require all local governments to reduce or waive fees, there
is some question about whether legislation is even needed to
allow local governments to waive or reduce fees.
Analysis Prepared by : Debbie Michel / L. GOV. / (916)
319-3958
FN: 0003269