BILL ANALYSIS �
Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
Senator Kevin de Le�n, Chair
AB 2664 (Quirk-Silva) - California National Guard
Amended: April 1, 2014 Policy Vote: VA 6-0
Urgency: No Mandate: No
Hearing Date: August 4, 2014
Consultant: Maureen Ortiz
This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File.
Bill Summary: AB 2664 transfers existing funds from the
California Military Family Relief Fund to the California
Military Department Support Fund, administered by the Military
Department for purposes of providing financial aid grants to
certain members of the military.
Fiscal Impact:
Transfer of approximately $1.2 million (General Fund*)
Minor, absorbable administrative costs to the Military
Department (General Fund)
*The money in the existing California Military Family Relief
Fund was a result of tax-check off donations made by taxpayers.
This authorization has expired and without this bill, the
remaining funds of $1.2 million will revert to the General Fund
on January 1, 2015.
Background: Existing funds in the Military Family Relief Fund
were established pursuant to a state income tax check-off that
was operative from 2005 through 2009. The check-off was
repealed after 2009 for failing to reach the $250,000 minimum
contribution level in that year. Money in that fund was
allocated to the Military Department to provide grants to
members of the military that suffered a substantial loss of
income due to deployment. Because initial criteria required
that the loss of income had to exceed 10% of the members
pre-deployment earnings, few grants were actually made, most of
which were in amounts between $500 and $1,500.
Proposed Law: AB 2664 transfers the existing funds from the
AB 2664 (Quirk-Silva)
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California Military Family Relief Fund to the newly created
California Military Department Support Fund, administered by the
Military Department for purposes of providing financial aid
grants to certain members of the military.
Additionally, the bill requires the Military Department to
establish eligibility criteria for the grants by January 1,
2015. The criteria shall include, but not be limited to, a
demonstration of financial need. Grants may be used only for
food, housing, childcare, utilities, medical services, medical
prescriptions, insurance, and vehicle payments.
In order to be eligible for grant funds, members of the
California National Guard (CNG) must have proof of the
following:
1) Current membership in the California National Guard.
2) Residency in California.
3) Deployment to active duty for at least 60 days.
Members who have received a punitive discharge or an
administrative discharge with service characterized as "other
than honorable" conditions will not be eligible for grant funds.
The Adjutant General is required to conduct an internal audit of
the fund and report the findings to the Department of Finance
annually by March 31.
Staff Comments: It is the intent of the Military Department to
revise the criteria necessary for members of the California
National Guard to apply for grant funds by removing the
requirement that their income decrease at least 10% due to
deployment. This will enable more military families to apply for
funding to assist with payments for food, housing, childcare,
medical and other expenses.