California Governor Gavin Newsom announced Monday the signing of bipartisan legislation to better support veterans and active servicemembers in accessing and using their benefits, including time with their families and support for their education.
"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."
The bills signed include SB 296 by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera), which expands the disabled veteran's property tax exemption to help keep veterans in their homes, and AB 2219 by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Santa Clarita), which modernizes veteran services by improving coordination between CalVet and County Veteran Service Officers.
AB 2054 by Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson) 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 can access Paid Family Leave.
Two education measures also became law. AB 2203 by Assemblymember David Tangipa (R-Fresno) 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. AB 1346 by Carl DeMaio (R-San Diego) extends in-state tuition eligibility for dependents returning to a public higher education institution to finish their degree, even if the servicemember has been transferred out of state or retired from active duty.
Newsom also highlighted legislation signed earlier this month ensuring veterans have greater access to the full spectrum of health benefits they are owed, including abortion care, after the Trump administration imposed what the release described as one of the most severe abortion bans in the country through the Veterans Affairs system. He also signed support for LGBTQ servicemembers discharged as a result of President Trump's ban on trans servicemembers, providing housing, employment, and transition-to-civilian-life support.
Since 2019, Newsom has directed more than $10.5 billion in investments toward veterans, including expanded housing, mental health resources, consumer protections against companies that exploit veterans seeking benefits, and construction of the Southern California Veterans Cemetery in Orange County.