California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the signing of bipartisan legislation to better support veterans and active servicemembers in accessing and using their benefits, his office said Monday.
The bills signed build on the state's support for veterans and servicemembers by expanding the disabled veteran's property tax exemption to help keep veterans in their homes, and by improving coordination between CalVet and County Veteran Service Officers to provide more efficient support and easier access to benefits.
The legislation also clarifies the definition of "covered active duty" to include stateside missions, extended training, or activation as part of the National Guard or Reserve, ensuring military families have access to Paid Family Leave. It grants priority enrollment at California Community Colleges, California State Universities, or the University of California to students relying on the CalVet College Fee Waiver or the federal GI Bill, and extends in-state tuition eligibility for dependents returning to a public higher education institution to finish their degree, even if the Armed Forces member has been transferred out of state or has retired from active duty.
"Veterans served us honorably; now it's our honor to serve them," Newsom said. "Whether that means protecting and ensuring access to their hard-earned benefits or making sure they have time with their families, California has their backs."
Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera), Chair of the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, said SB 296 "provides much needed stability and support for those who have sacrificed so much for our state and nation." He thanked Newsom for signing the legislation, which he said "will help reduce costs for our disabled veterans."
Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Santa Clarita), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, said the Faster Services for Veterans Act (AB 2219) "will help veterans get connected more quickly to the VA and California programs and services they have earned by reducing delays, strengthening County Veterans Service Officers, expanding access in underserved communities, and making sure veterans' experiences help us continually improve services statewide."
Newsom also highlighted legislation signed earlier this month ensuring veterans have access to the full spectrum of health benefits, including abortion care, and providing housing, employment, and transition-to-civilian-life support to servicemembers discharged as a result of President Trump's ban on trans servicemembers from the military.
The bills signed include SB 296 by Senator Bob Archuleta, AB 2219 by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo, AB 2054 by Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson), AB 2203 by Assemblymember David Tangipa (R-Fresno), and AB 1346 by Carl DeMaio (R-San Diego). Since 2019, Newsom has prioritized veterans through more than $10.5 billion in investments across state government.