BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 1739
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   April 24, 2012

                       ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
                                 Paul J. Cook, Chair
                    AB 1739 (Allen) - As Amended:  April 17, 2012
           
          SUBJECT  :   Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund: Veterans' Home 
          Allied Council: operation of facilities and activities.

           SUMMARY  :  Allows the administrator to permit Allied Councils to 
          run certain activities at Veterans Homes.   Specifically, this 
          bill:  
          
          Authorizes the administrator to enter into agreement with an 
          Allied Council that authorizes that council to operate Morale, 
          Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facilities and activities as 
          permitted by Military and Veterans Code Section 1047.

           EXISTING LAW  

             1.   Directs the administrator of a veterans home to maintain 
               a MWR fund.  

             2.   States that the money in the fund shall be used at the 
               discretion of the administrator and with the approval of 
               the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.  

             3.   MWR money may be used to provide for the general welfare 
               of the veterans in the home, including for example such 
               functions as:

                  a.        The Veterans Home Exchange;
                  b.        The hobby shop;
                  c.        The movie theater;
                  d.        The library;
                  e.        The band;
                  f.        Sports activities; and
                  g.        Celebrations.

             4.   MWR money may not be expended on anything that is not 
               for the general welfare of the veterans, and in particular 
               not for:

                  a.        Medical or related treatments; nor
                  b.        Maintenance of the physical plant of the home.








                                                                  AB 1739
                                                                  Page  2


           FISCAL EFFECT  :   Unknown.

           COMMENTS  :   This bill is permissive.  It allows the 
          administrator of a veterans home to enter into an agreement with 
          the Allied Council of a home to authorize the council to operate 
          MWR activities and facilities as specified by that 
          administrator.  MWR money must still be expended only for the 
          general welfare of the veteran residents of the home.  The 
          nature and extent of any agreement rests wholly within the 
          discretion of the administrator.  Funds must still be spent only 
          with the approval of the Secretary.  For the foregoing reasons 
          the bill seems aligned with the policy expressed in existing 
          statute.

           REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION  :   

           Support 
           
          None at this time.

           Opposition 
           
          None at this time.
           
          Analysis Prepared by  :    John Spangler / V. A. / (916) 319-3550