AB 671: Veterans: services.
- Session Year: 2017-2018
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2017-09-01
Existing law provides for the formation of veterans memorial districts and provides for their powers and functions in constructing, acquiring, and operating halls, buildings, meeting places, and other facilities for the use of veterans and veterans organizations and by persons and organizations other than veterans when their use does not interfere with the use of the facilities by veterans. Existing law authorizes, under specified conditions and to fund these purposes, the issuance of district bonds and the imposition of a memorial district tax.
This bill would additionally authorize a veterans memorial district to provide funding to providers of supportive services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families, including, but not limited to, counseling, case management, and employment training and placement, as provided.
Existing law provides for the formation of veterans memorial districts and provides for their powers and functions in constructing, acquiring, and operating halls, buildings, meeting places, and other facilities for the use of veterans and veterans organizations and by persons and organizations other than veterans when their use does not interfere with the use of the facilities by veterans. Existing law authorizes, under specified conditions and to fund these purposes, the issuance of district bonds and the imposition of a memorial district tax.
This bill would additionally authorize a veterans memorial district to provide funding to providers of supportive services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families, including, but not limited to, counseling, case management, and employment training and placement, as provided.
Existing law provides for the formation of veterans memorial districts and provides for their powers and functions in constructing, acquiring, and operating halls, buildings, meeting places, and other facilities for the use of veterans and veterans organizations and by persons and organizations other than veterans when their use does not interfere with the use of the facilities by veterans. Existing law authorizes, under specified conditions and to fund these purposes, the issuance of district bonds and the imposition of a memorial district tax.
This bill additionally would would additionally authorize a veterans memorial district to provide funding to providers of supportive services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families, including, but not limited to, counseling, case management, and employment training and placement. placement, as provided.
Existing law provides for the formation of veterans memorial districts and provides for their powers and functions in constructing, acquiring, and operating halls, buildings, meeting places, and other facilities for the use of veterans and veterans organizations and by persons and organizations other than veterans when their use does not interfere with the use of the facilities by veterans. Existing law authorizes, under specified conditions and to fund these purposes, the issuance of district bonds and the imposition of a memorial district tax.
This bill additionally would authorize a veterans memorial district to provide services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families, including, but not limited to, counseling, case management, and employment training and placement.
Existing law provides that a veterans memorial district may be established, maintained, governed, supported, and operated in the manner and for the purposes specified, and that the district may exercise the powers and jurisdiction expressly granted or necessarily implied.This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation regarding veterans memorials.Existing law provides that a veterans memorial district may be established, maintained, governed, supported, and operated in the manner and for the purposes specified, and that the district may exercise the powers and jurisdiction expressly granted or necessarily implied.
This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation regarding veterans memorials.
(a)Every district may do all of the following:
(1)Provide and maintain memorial halls, assembly halls, buildings, or meeting places, together with suitable indoor and outdoor park and recreation facilities, including swimming pools, picnic areas, and playgrounds, for the use of persons or organizations other than veterans, pursuant to paragraphs (8) and (9), and veteran soldiers, sailors, and marines who have honorably served the United States in any wars or campaigns recognized by law for the purposes of Section 3 of Article XIII of the California Constitution, or for the use of patriotic, fraternal, or benevolent associations of those persons. However, no district shall provide and maintain indoor and outdoor park and recreation facilities, including swimming pools, picnic areas, and playgrounds, unless these projects have been approved by a majority of the voters at either the general district election or at a special election called for that purpose. The question of whether the district shall provide and maintain indoor and outdoor park and recreation facilities may be submitted to the registered voters of the district by the board on its own motion and shall be submitted by the board upon petition signed by 8 percent of the registered voters of the district, at either the general district election or at a special election called for that purpose. If submitted at a special election, the election shall be called, conducted, governed, and regulated in the same manner as the general district election.
All plans for indoor and outdoor park and recreation facilities, including swimming pools, picnic areas, and playgrounds, shall be approved initially by the board of supervisors.
(2)Purchase, receive by donation, condemn, lease, or acquire real or personal property necessary or convenient for the construction or maintenance of halls, buildings, meeting places, and facilities, and improve, preserve, manage, and control these facilities.
(3)Purchase, construct, lease, build, furnish, or repair halls, buildings, meeting places, and facilities upon sites owned or leased by the district or made available to the district, and provide custodians, employees, attendants, and supplies for the proper maintenance, care, and management of those halls, buildings, meeting places, and facilities.
(4)Furnish sites for halls, buildings, meeting places, or facilities, to be built either by the district or by or for patriotic, fraternal, or benevolent associations of veterans, if the funds for these sites are supplied by the district or from other sources.
(5)Enter into agreements with county, municipal, school, park, or other public authorities or agencies conveying, leasing, or making available to the district, either gratuitously or for compensation, sites upon public land for the construction, maintenance, and management by the district of assembly or memorial halls, buildings, meeting places, or facilities, and construct and maintain on those sites halls, buildings, meeting places, or facilities.
(6)Sell or lease any district property to the highest responsible bidder, as determined by the board, except as provided by Section 1191.3. The board shall, prior to any sale, make a call for bids and advertise that call pursuant to Section 6062 of the Government Code in a newspaper of general circulation in the district, inviting sealed bids for the sale or lease of the property. The board may either accept the highest responsible bid or reject all bids. The board may require the successful bidder to file with the board good and sufficient undertaking to be approved by the board to insure faithful performance of the contract of sale or lease. No sale or lease shall be transacted, however, if a petition has been filed with the board requesting it not to enter into the sale or lease of the property.
The petition shall have affixed to it, as petitioners, the signatures, indicating place of residence and place of signing, of the registered voters of the district in a number equal to at least 10 percent of the votes cast in the district at the last preceding general election held in the state.
If the petition meets these requirements, as determined by the records of the county elections official for the county or counties in which the district is situated, the board either shall not convey the property or shall submit the matter to the registered voters of the district to be voted upon at the next primary or general election, or at a special election called for the purpose of ratifying or rejecting the action of the district to sell or lease the property.
(7)Sell or lease any district property to any political subdivision, or portion thereof, in which the district is situated for purposes of roads, streets, or highways, or for the improvement of roads, streets, or highways, without regard to the highest responsible bidder but otherwise meeting the petition requirements of paragraph (6).
(8)Adopt, from time to time, reasonable rules and regulations for the use of halls, buildings, meeting places, and facilities by veterans or by organizations of veterans, and to allow the halls, buildings, meeting places, and facilities to be used for lawful purposes consistent with the objects of this section by persons or organizations other than veterans either free of charge or for stated compensation to aid in defraying the cost of maintenance of the facilities, if that use will not unduly interfere with the reasonable use of the facilities by veterans associations.
(9)Enter into a joint powers agreement for recreational or senior citizens services within the district.
(b)In conformance with this section, a district may provide recreational facilities or services at any location within the district regardless of the location of district-owned facilities. A district may not increase its tax levy for the purpose of providing recreational services for persons other than veterans unless that increase is first approved by a majority of the registered voters of the district who vote upon the proposal.
(c)(1)A district may provide funding to providers of supportive services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families. Those supportive services may include, but are not limited to, behavioral health services, counseling, social services, case management, affordable housing, and employment training and placement.
(2)A district may not use existing bond moneys for the purposes described in paragraph (1), unless either of the following circumstances apply:
(A)The voters agree to restructure existing bond moneys to authorize a district to additionally use those moneys for the purposes described in paragraph (1).
(B)The existing bond moneys are currently authorized to be used for the purposes described in paragraph (1).
(a)Every district may do all of the following:
(1)Provide and maintain memorial halls, assembly halls, buildings, or meeting places, together with suitable indoor and outdoor park and recreation facilities, including swimming pools, picnic areas, and playgrounds, for the use of persons or organizations other than veterans, pursuant to paragraphs (8) and (9), and veteran soldiers, sailors, and marines who have honorably served the United States in any wars or campaigns recognized by law for the purposes of Section 3 of Article XIII of the California Constitution, or for the use of patriotic, fraternal, or benevolent associations of those persons. However, no district shall provide and maintain indoor and outdoor park and recreation facilities, including swimming pools, picnic areas, and playgrounds, unless these projects have been approved by a majority of the voters at either the general district election or at a special election called for that purpose. The question of whether the district shall provide and maintain indoor and outdoor park and recreation facilities may be submitted to the registered voters of the district by the board on its own motion and shall be submitted by the board upon petition signed by 8 percent of the registered voters of the district, at either the general district election or at a special election called for that purpose. If submitted at a special election, the election shall be called, conducted, governed, and regulated in the same manner as the general district election.
All plans for indoor and outdoor park and recreation facilities, including swimming pools, picnic areas, and playgrounds, shall be approved initially by the board of supervisors.
(2)Purchase, receive by donation, condemn, lease, or acquire real or personal property necessary or convenient for the construction or maintenance of halls, buildings, meeting places, and facilities, and improve, preserve, manage, and control these facilities.
(3)Purchase, construct, lease, build, furnish, or repair halls, buildings, meeting places, and facilities upon sites owned or leased by the district or made available to the district, and provide custodians, employees, attendants, and supplies for the proper maintenance, care, and management of those halls, buildings, meeting places, and facilities.
(4)Furnish sites for halls, buildings, meeting places, or facilities, to be built either by the district or by or for patriotic, fraternal, or benevolent associations of veterans, if the funds for these sites are supplied by the district or from other sources.
(5)Enter into agreements with county, municipal, school, park, or other public authorities or agencies conveying, leasing, or making available to the district, either gratuitously or for compensation, sites upon public land for the construction, maintenance, and management by the district of assembly or memorial halls, buildings, meeting places, or facilities, and construct and maintain on those sites halls, buildings, meeting places, or facilities.
(6)Sell or lease any district property to the highest responsible bidder, as determined by the board, except as provided by Section 1191.3. The board shall, prior to any sale, make a call for bids and advertise that call pursuant to Section 6062 of the Government Code in a newspaper of general circulation in the district, inviting sealed bids for the sale or lease of the property. The board may either accept the highest responsible bid or reject all bids. The board may require the successful bidder to file with the board good and sufficient undertaking to be approved by the board to insure faithful performance of the contract of sale or lease. No sale or lease shall be transacted, however, if a petition has been filed with the board requesting it not to enter into the sale or lease of the property.
The petition shall have affixed to it, as petitioners, the signatures, indicating place of residence and place of signing, of the registered voters of the district in a number equal to at least 10 percent of the votes cast in the district at the last preceding general election held in the state.
If the petition meets these requirements, as determined by the records of the county elections official for the county or counties in which the district is situated, the board either shall not convey the property or shall submit the matter to the registered voters of the district to be voted upon at the next primary or general election, or at a special election called for the purpose of ratifying or rejecting the action of the district to sell or lease the property.
(7)Sell or lease any district property to any political subdivision, or portion thereof, in which the district is situated for purposes of roads, streets, or highways, or for the improvement of roads, streets, or highways, without regard to the highest responsible bidder but otherwise meeting the petition requirements of paragraph (6).
(8)Adopt, from time to time, reasonable rules and regulations for the use of halls, buildings, meeting places, and facilities by veterans or by organizations of veterans, and to allow the halls, buildings, meeting places, and facilities to be used for lawful purposes consistent with the objects of this section by persons or organizations other than veterans either free of charge or for stated compensation to aid in defraying the cost of maintenance of the facilities, if that use will not unduly interfere with the reasonable use of the facilities by veterans associations.
(9)Enter into a joint powers agreement for recreational or senior citizens services within the district.
(b)In conformance with this section, a district may provide recreational facilities or services at any location within the district regardless of the location of district-owned facilities. A district may not increase its tax levy for the purpose of providing recreational services for persons other than veterans unless that increase is first approved by a majority of the registered voters of the district who vote upon the proposal.
(c)(1)A district may provide funding to providers of supportive services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families. Those supportive services may include, but are not limited to, behavioral health services, counseling, social services, case management, affordable housing, and employment training and placement.
(2)A district may not use existing bond moneys for the purposes described in paragraph (1), unless either of the following circumstances apply:
(A)The voters agree to restructure existing bond moneys to authorize a district to additionally use those moneys for the purposes described in paragraph (1).
(B)The existing bond moneys are currently authorized to be used for the purposes described in paragraph (1).
(a)Every district may do all of the following:
(1)Provide and maintain memorial halls, assembly halls, buildings, or meeting places, together with suitable indoor and outdoor park and recreation facilities, including swimming pools, picnic areas, and playgrounds, for the use of persons or organizations other than veterans, pursuant to paragraphs (8) and (9), and veteran soldiers, sailors, and marines who have honorably served the United States in any wars or campaigns recognized by law for the purposes of Section 3 of Article XIII of the California Constitution, or for the use of patriotic, fraternal, or benevolent associations of those persons. However, no district shall provide and maintain indoor and outdoor park and recreation facilities, including swimming pools, picnic areas, and playgrounds, unless these projects have been approved by a majority of the voters at either the general district election or at a special election called for that purpose. The question of whether the district shall provide and maintain indoor and outdoor park and recreation facilities may be submitted to the registered voters of the district by the board on its own motion and shall be submitted by the board upon petition signed by 8 percent of the registered voters of the district, at either the general district election or at a special election called for that purpose. If submitted at a special election, the election shall be called, conducted, governed, and regulated in the same manner as the general district election.
All plans for indoor and outdoor park and recreation facilities, including swimming pools, picnic areas, and playgrounds, shall be approved initially by the board of supervisors.
(2)Purchase, receive by donation, condemn, lease, or acquire real or personal property necessary or convenient for the construction or maintenance of halls, buildings, meeting places, and facilities, and improve, preserve, manage, and control these facilities.
(3)Purchase, construct, lease, build, furnish, or repair halls, buildings, meeting places, and facilities upon sites owned or leased by the district or made available to the district, and provide custodians, employees, attendants, and supplies for the proper maintenance, care, and management of those halls, buildings, meeting places, and facilities.
(4)Furnish sites for halls, buildings, meeting places, or facilities, to be built either by the district or by or for patriotic, fraternal, or benevolent associations of veterans, if the funds for these sites are supplied by the district or from other sources.
(5)Enter into agreements with county, municipal, school, park, or other public authorities or agencies conveying, leasing, or making available to the district, either gratuitously or for compensation, sites upon public land for the construction, maintenance, and management by the district of assembly or memorial halls, buildings, meeting places, or facilities, and construct and maintain on those sites halls, buildings, meeting places, or facilities.
(6)Sell or lease any district property to the highest responsible bidder, as determined by the board, except as provided by Section 1191.3. The board shall, prior to any sale, make a call for bids and advertise that call pursuant to Section 6062 of the Government Code in a newspaper of general circulation in the district, inviting sealed bids for the sale or lease of the property. The board may either accept the highest responsible bid or reject all bids. The board may require the successful bidder to file with the board good and sufficient undertaking to be approved by the board to insure faithful performance of the contract of sale or lease. No sale or lease shall be transacted, however, if a petition has been filed with the board requesting it not to enter into the sale or lease of the property.
The petition shall have affixed to it, as petitioners, the signatures, indicating place of residence and place of signing, of the registered voters of the district in a number equal to at least 10 percent of the votes cast in the district at the last preceding general election held in the state.
If the petition meets these requirements, as determined by the records of the county elections official for the county or counties in which the district is situated, the board either shall not convey the property or shall submit the matter to the registered voters of the district to be voted upon at the next primary or general election, or at a special election called for the purpose of ratifying or rejecting the action of the district to sell or lease the property.
(7)Sell or lease any district property to any political subdivision, or portion thereof, in which the district is situated for purposes of roads, streets, or highways, or for the improvement of roads, streets, or highways, without regard to the highest responsible bidder but otherwise meeting the petition requirements of paragraph (6).
(8)Adopt, from time to time, reasonable rules and regulations for the use of halls, buildings, meeting places, and facilities by veterans or by organizations of veterans, and to allow the halls, buildings, meeting places, and facilities to be used for lawful purposes consistent with the objects of this section by persons or organizations other than veterans either free of charge or for stated compensation to aid in defraying the cost of maintenance of the facilities, if that use will not unduly interfere with the reasonable use of the facilities by veterans associations.
(9)Enter into a joint powers agreement for recreational or senior citizens services within the district.
(b)In conformance with this section, a district may provide recreational facilities or services at any location within the district regardless of the location of district-owned facilities. A district may not increase its tax levy for the purpose of providing recreational services for persons other than veterans unless that increase is first approved by a majority of the registered voters of the district who vote upon the proposal.
(c)(1)A district may provide funding to providers of supportive services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families. Those supportive services may include, but are not limited to, behavioral health services, counseling, social services, case management, affordable housing, and employment training and placement.
(2)A district may not use existing bond moneys for the purposes described in paragraph (1), unless either of the following circumstances apply:
(A)The voters agree to restructure existing bond moneys to authorize a district to additionally use those moneys for the purposes described in paragraph (1).
(B)The existing bond moneys are currently authorized to be used for the purposes described in paragraph (1).
(a)Every district may do all of the following:
(1)Provide and maintain memorial halls, assembly halls, buildings, or meetingplaces, meeting places, together with suitable indoor and outdoor park and recreation facilities, including swimming pools, picnic areas, and playgrounds, for the use of persons or organizations other than veterans, pursuant to paragraphs (8) and (9), and veteran soldiers, sailors, and marines who have honorably served the United States in any wars or campaigns recognized by law for the purposes of Section 3 of Article XIII of the California Constitution, or for the use of patriotic, fraternal, or benevolent associations of those persons. However, no district shall provide and maintain indoor and outdoor park and recreation facilities, including swimming pools, picnic areas, and playgrounds, unless these projects have been approved by a majority of the voters at either the general district election or at a special election called for that purpose. The question of whether the district shall provide and maintain indoor and outdoor park and recreation facilities may be submitted to the registered voters of the district by the board on its own motion and shall be submitted by the board upon petition signed by 8 percent of the registered voters of the district, at either the general district election or at a special election called for that purpose. If submitted at a special election, the election shall be called, conducted, governed, and regulated in the same manner as the general district election.
All plans for indoor and outdoor park and recreation facilities, including swimming pools, picnic areas, and playgrounds, shall be approved initially by the board of supervisors.
(2)Purchase, receive by donation, condemn, lease, or acquire real or personal property necessary or convenient for the construction or maintenance of halls, buildings, meetingplaces, meeting places, and facilities, and improve, preserve, manage, and control these facilities.
(3)Purchase, construct, lease, build, furnish, or repair halls, buildings, meetingplaces, meeting places, and facilities upon sites owned or leased by the district or made available to the district, and provide custodians, employees, attendants, and supplies for the proper maintenance, care, and management of those halls, buildings, meetingplaces, meeting places, and facilities.
(4)Furnish sites for halls, buildings, meetingplaces, meeting places, or facilities, to be built either by the district or by or for patriotic, fraternal, or benevolent associations of veterans, if the funds for these sites are supplied by the district or from other sources.
(5)Enter into agreements with county, municipal, school, park, or other public authorities or agencies conveying, leasing, or making available to the district, either gratuitously or for compensation, sites upon public land for the construction, maintenance, and management by the district of assembly or memorial halls, buildings, meetingplaces, meeting places, or facilities, and construct and maintain on those sites halls, buildings, meetingplaces, meeting places, or facilities.
(6)Sell or lease any district property to the highest responsible bidder, as determined by the board, except as provided by Section 1191.3. The board shall, prior to any sale, make a call for bids and advertise that call pursuant to Section 6062 of the Government Code in a newspaper of general circulation in the district, inviting sealed bids for the sale or lease of the property. The board may either accept the highest responsible bid or reject all bids. The board may require the successful bidder to file with the board good and sufficient undertaking to be approved by the board to insure faithful performance of the contract of sale or lease. No sale or lease shall be transacted, however, if a petition has been filed with the board requesting it not to enter into the sale or lease of the property.
The petition shall have affixed to it, as petitioners, the signatures, indicating place of residence and place of signing, of the registered voters of the district in a number equal to at least 10 percent of the votes cast in the district at the last preceding general election held in the state.
If the petition meets these requirements, as determined by the records of the county elections official for the county or counties in which the district is situated, the board either shall not convey the property or shall submit the matter to the registered voters of the district to be voted upon at the next primary or general election, or at a special election called for the purpose of ratifying or rejecting the action of the district to sell or lease the property.
(7)Sell or lease any district property to any political subdivision, or portion thereof, in which the district is situated for purposes of roads, streets, or highways, or for the improvement of roads, streets, or highways, without regard to the highest responsible bidder but otherwise meeting the petition requirements of paragraph (6).
(8)Adopt, from time to time, reasonable rules and regulations for the use of halls, buildings, meetingplaces, meeting places, and facilities by veterans or by organizations of veterans, and to allow the halls, buildings, meetingplaces, meeting places, and facilities to be used for lawful purposes consistent with the objects of this section by persons or organizations other than veterans either free of charge or for stated compensation to aid in defraying the cost of maintenance of the facilities, if that use will not unduly interfere with the reasonable use of the facilities by veterans associations.
(9)Enter into a joint powers agreement for recreational or senior citizens services within the district.
(b)In conformance with this section, a district may provide recreational facilities or services at any location within the district regardless of the location of district-owned facilities. A district may not increase its tax levy for the purpose of providing recreational services for persons other than veterans unless that increase is first approved by a majority of the registered voters of the district who vote upon the proposal.
(c)A district may provide services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families. Those services may include, but are not limited to, behavioral health services, counseling, social services, case management, affordable housing, and employment training and placement.
SECTION 1.It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation regarding veterans memorials. REVISIONS: HeadingLine 2.It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation regarding veterans memorials.
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Date
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Status
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|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2017 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 197, Statutes of 2017. |
| Sep 1, 2017 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Aug 25, 2017 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m. |
| Aug 21, 2017 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. |
| Jul 17, 2017 | In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. May be considered on or after July 19 pursuant to Assembly Rule 77. |
| Jul 17, 2017 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. |
| Jul 13, 2017 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. |
| Jul 11, 2017 | Ordered to special consent calendar. |
| Jun 29, 2017 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Jun 28, 2017 | From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (June 27). |
| Jun 19, 2017 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on V.A. |
| Jun 8, 2017 | In committee: Hearing postponed by committee. |
| May 10, 2017 | Referred to Com. on V.A. |
| Apr 20, 2017 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| Apr 20, 2017 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 75. Noes 0. Page 1129.) |
| Apr 6, 2017 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Apr 5, 2017 | Coauthors revised. |
| Mar 22, 2017 | Re-referred to Com. on V.A. |
| Mar 21, 2017 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on V.A. Read second time and amended. |
| Mar 20, 2017 | Referred to Com. on V.A. |
| Feb 16, 2017 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 18. |
| Feb 15, 2017 | Read first time. To print. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2017 | AB 671 CHÁVEZ Concurrence in Senate Amendments | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
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| Jul 17, 2017 | Special Consent Calendar # AB671 | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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| Jun 27, 2017 | Do pass | Senate Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs |
Passed |
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| Apr 20, 2017 | Favorable With Committee Substitute (Agriculture & Property Rights Subcommittee) | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Apr 4, 2017 | Do pass. | Assembly Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| American GI Forum | * Support | Apr 4, 2017 |
| American GI Forum of California | ** Support | Jun 30, 2017 |
| American Legion - Department of California | ** Support | Jun 30, 2017 |
| AMVETS - Department of California | ** Support | Jun 30, 2017 |
| California Association Of County Veterans Service Officers | ** Support | Jun 30, 2017 |
| California Association of Veteran Service Agencies | ** Support | Jun 30, 2017 |
| California State Commanders Veterans Council | ** Support | Jun 30, 2017 |
| Direct Energy Services LLC | * Support | Apr 4, 2017 |
| Vietnam Veterans of America - California State Council | ** Support | Jun 30, 2017 |
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
CSA1 Bill Id:AB 671
Author:(Chávez)
As Amended Ver:June 19, 2017
Majority vote
ASSEMBLY: | 75-0 | (April 20, 2017) | SENATE: | 38-0 | (July 17, 2017) |
Original Committee Reference: V.A.
SUMMARY: Authorizes a veterans memorial district (Memorial District) to provide services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families, including, but not limited to, counseling, case management, and employment training and placement. Specifically, this bill:
- Grants an additional latent power to Memorial Districts: They may provide services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families.
- Clarifies that services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families may include, but are not limited to, behavioral health services, counseling, social services, case management, affordable housing, and employment training and placement.
The Senate amendments state that a district may provide funding to providers of supportive services in accordance with the following:
- A district may not use existing bond moneys for the purposes described in paragraph, unless either of the following circumstances apply:
- The voters agree to restructure existing bond moneys to authorize a district to additionally use those moneys for the purposes described in paragraph.
- The existing bond moneys are currently authorized to be used for the purposes described in paragraph.
The Senate amendments also add co-authors.
FISCAL EFFECT: This bill is keyed non-fiscal by the Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS:
According to the author, the amendments clarify that Veterans Memorial Districts can provide funding (through its taxation powers) to service providers, instead of actually providing services.
The Military and Veterans Code Section authorizes Memorial Districts to provide physical facilities and to generate the necessary funds. These amendments would permit the districts to use their revenue-generating powers to fund services, too. Local jurisdictions would be able to help fund service providers where a lack of financial resources currently exists. The bill does not define or limit who the providers may be so the funding may be directed to any public or private provider unless prohibited elsewhere by law.
Analysis Prepared by: John Spangler / V.A. / (916) 319-3550 FN: 0001183
Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | AB |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 671
:
SENATE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 6/27/17
AYES: Newman, Nielsen, Dodd, Hueso, Nguyen, Roth, Wilk
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 75-0, 4/20/17 - See last page for vote
SOURCE: California Association of Veteran Service Agencies
DIGEST:
This bill authorizes a veterans memorial district (VMD) to provide funding to providers of supportive services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families, and permits use of existing bond moneys for these services only if the voters agree to repurpose them.
Existing law:
- Authorizes counties to establish, maintain, govern, support, and operate VMDs in specified manners for specified purposes.
- Provides VMDs their powers and functions in constructing, acquiring, and operating halls, buildings, meeting places, and other facilities for the use of veterans and veterans’ organizations and persons and organizations other than veterans when use does not interfere with the use of the facilities by veterans.
- Authorizes, under specified conditions and to fund these purposes, the issuance of district bonds and imposition of a VMD-dedicated tax.
This bill:
- Provides that VMDs may provide funding to providers of supportive services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families.
- Clarifies that the supportive services provided may include, but are not limited to, behavioral health services, counseling, social services, case management, affordable housing, and employment training and placement.
- Provides that existing VMD bond moneys may only be used for the new purpose if repurposed by the voters.
Background
Supportive services. Currently, veterans receive benefits from federal, state and local agencies, including county veterans service officers; veterans service organizations; and myriad non-profit organizations. Many benefits qualify as “supportive services,” which assist a challenged population in obtaining stable housing, employment and other attributes of effective, independent living. For example, supportive services can include outreach, case management, legal assistance, employment counseling, skills assessment, specialized employment training, veterans benefit counseling, transportation, child care, traditional and supportive housing assistance, and temporary financial assistance.
Veterans memorial districts. Existing law permits counties and cities to establish special districts. Unlike general purpose governments, special districts provide one service or a small suite of specialized services, for example, fire protection, water, healthcare, reclamation, or libraries. This allows communities to receive the services they need at a price the community is willing to pay.
Existing law authorizes VMDs to provide and maintain veteran-related infrastructure: memorial halls, assembly halls, buildings, or meeting places, together with suitable indoor and outdoor park and recreation facilities, including swimming pools, picnic areas, and playgrounds, for the use of veterans – and of non-veterans, as specified – and of patriotic, fraternal, or benevolent associations of those persons. Existing law does not permit VMDs to provide services.
Currently, California has 27 VMDs operating within six counties, most of which are rural or have outlying rural communities:
Amador County:
- Ione Memorial District (Ione, Amador)
Calaveras County:
- Angels Camp Veterans Memorial District (Angels Camp)
- Ebbetts Pass Veterans Memorial District (Murphys)
- Jenny Lind Veterans Memorial District (Valley Spring)
- Lindsay-Strathmore Veterans Memorial District (Valley Springs)
- Mokelumne Hill Veterans Memorial District (Mokelumne Hill)
- San Andreas Veterans Memorial District (San Andreas)
- West Point Veterans Memorial District (West Point)
Fresno:
- Clovis Veterans Memorial District (Clovis)
- Riverdale Memorial District (Riverdale)
Monterey County:
- Greenfield Memorial District (Greenfield)
- Spreckels Memorial District (Spreckels)
Santa Clara County:
- South Santa Clara Veterans Memorial District (Santa Clara)
Tulare County:
- Dinuba Memorial District (Dinuba)
- Exeter Veterans Memorial District (Exeter)
- Ivanoe Memorial District (Ivanhoe)
- Orosi Memorial District (Orosi)
- Porterville Memorial District (Porterville)
- Sequoia Memorial District (Lemon Cove)
- South Tulare Memorial District (Tipton)
- Springville Memorial District (Springville)
- Terra Bella Memorial District (Terra Bella)
- Three Rivers Memorial District (Three Rivers)
- Tulare Memorial District (Tulare)
- Visalia Memorial District (Visalia)
- Woodlake Veterans Memorial District (Woodlake)
Ventura County:
- Fillmore-Piru Memorial District (Piru)
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:
California Association of Veteran Service Agencies (source)
American GI Forum of California
American Legion - Department of California
AMVETS - Department of California
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
California State Commanders Veterans Council
Military Officers Association of America, California Council of Chapters
Vietnam Veterans of America - California State Council
OPPOSITION: (Verified 6/29/17)
None received
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 75-0, 4/20/17
AYES: Acosta, Aguiar-Curry, Travis Allen, Arambula, Baker, Berman, Bigelow, Bloom, Bocanegra, Bonta, Burke, Caballero, Calderon, Cervantes, Chau, Chávez, Chen, Chiu, Choi, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Cunningham, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Eggman, Flora, Fong, Frazier, Friedman, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gipson, Gloria, Gomez, Gonzalez Fletcher, Gray, Grayson, Harper, Holden, Irwin, Kalra, Kiley, Lackey, Levine, Limón, Low, Maienschein, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Muratsuchi, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Patterson, Quirk, Quirk-Silva, Reyes, Rodriguez, Rubio, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Voepel, Waldron, Weber, Wood, Rendon
NO VOTE RECORDED: Brough, Jones-Sawyer, Mathis, Ridley-Thomas, Ting
6/30/17 10:30:40
**** END ****
SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Senator Josh Newman, Chair
2017 - 2018 Regular
Bill No: AB 671 Hearing Date: 6/27/17
Author: | |||
Version: | 6/19/17 Amended | ||
Urgency: | No | Fiscal: | No |
Consultant: | Wade Cooper Teasdale | ||
Subject: Veterans: services
DESCRIPTION
Summary:
This bill authorizes a veterans memorial district (VMD) to provide funding to providers of supportive services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families, and permits use of existing bond moneys for these services only if the voters agree to repurpose them.
Existing law:
- Authorizes counties to establish, maintain, govern, support, and operate VMDs in specified manners for specified purposes.
- Provides for VMDs their powers and functions in constructing, acquiring, and operating halls, buildings, meeting places, and other facilities for the use of veterans and veterans’ organizations and by persons and organizations other than veterans when their use does not interfere with the use of the facilities by veterans.
- Authorizes, under specified conditions and to fund these purposes, the issuance of district bonds and imposition of a VMD-dedicated tax.
This bill:
- Grants an additional power to VMDs that the districts may provide funding to providers of supportive services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families.
- Clarifies that the supportive services provided may include, but are not limited to, behavioral health services, counseling, social services, case management, affordable housing, and employment training and placement.
- Provides that existing VMD bond moneys may only be used for the new purpose if repurposed by the voters.
BACKGROUND
Supportive Services
Veterans already have a wide variety of benefits provided by federal, state and county agencies, including county veterans service officers; veterans service organizations; and myriad non-profit organizations. Many of the benefits qualify as “supportive services.” In general, supportive services are those which assist a challenged population in obtaining stable housing, employment and other attributes of effective, independent living. For example, supportive services can include outreach, case management, legal assistance, employment counseling, skills assessment, specialized employment training, veterans benefit counseling, transportation, child care, traditional and supportive housing assistance, and temporary financial assistance.
Veterans Memorial Districts
Existing law permits counties and cities to establish VMDs – with control measures, as specified – to provide and maintain memorial halls, assembly halls, buildings, or meeting places, together with suitable indoor and outdoor park and recreation facilities, including swimming pools, picnic areas, and playgrounds, for the use of veterans – and of non-veterans, as specified – and of patriotic, fraternal, or benevolent associations of those persons.
Currently, California has 27 VMDs operating within six counties, most of which are rural or have outlying rural communities:
Amador County:
- Ione Memorial District (Ione, Amador)
Calaveras County:
- Angels Camp Veterans Memorial District (Angels Camp)
- Ebbetts Pass Veterans Memorial District (Murphys)
- Jenny Lind Veterans Memorial District (Valley Spring)
- Lindsay-Strathmore Veterans Memorial District (Valley Springs)
- Mokelumne Hill Veterans Memorial District (Mokelumne Hill)
- San Andreas Veterans Memorial District (San Andreas)
- West Point Veterans Memorial District (West Point)
Fresno:
- Clovis Veterans Memorial District (Clovis)
- Riverdale Memorial District (Riverdale)
Monterey County:
- Greenfield Memorial District (Greenfield)
- Spreckels Memorial District (Spreckels)
Santa Clara County:
- South Santa Clara Veterans Memorial District (Santa Clara)
Tulare County:
- Dinuba Memorial District (Dinuba)
- Exeter Veterans Memorial District (Exeter)
- Fillmore-Piru Memorial District (Piru)
- Ivanoe Memorial District (Ivanhoe)
- Orosi Memorial District (Orosi)
- Porterville Memorial District (Porterville)
- Sequoia Memorial District (Lemon Cove)
- South Tulare Memorial District (Tipton)
- Springville Memorial District (Springville)
- Terra Bella Memorial District (Terra Bella)
- Three Rivers Memorial District (Three Rivers)
- Tulare Memorial District (Tulare)
- Visalia Memorial District (Visalia)
- Woodlake Veterans Memorial District (Woodlake)
COMMENT
- Authors Comments:
“There are currently 27 Veterans Memorial Districts across California, which are dedicated to the memory of all who proudly served and protected our country. Through facilities and support programs, Veterans Memorial Districts promote a legacy of service and strengthen the bonds of our communities.
“Each Veterans Memorial District focuses on the local veterans needs in its unique community, adapting to the diversity of veterans needs in our state. However, they are limited in the utility of their districts to construction and maintenance of veteran halls, memorials and similar structures. While these functions are quite important, the underlying motive behind these districts and the needs of current veterans could be expanded by a wider scope of permitted uses and activities.”
- Committee Comments: The Military and Veterans Code Section authorizes VMDs to provide physical facilities and to generate the necessary funds. AB 671 would permit the districts to use their revenue-generating powers to fund services, too. Local jurisdictions would be able to help fund service providers where a lack of financial resources currently exists. The bill does not define or limit who the providers may be so the funding may be directed to any public or private provider unless prohibited elsewhere by law.
POSITIONS
Sponsor: California Association of Veteran Service Agencies
Support:
American GI Forum of California
American Legion- Department of California
AMVETS- Department of California
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
California State Commanders Veterans Council
Military Officers Association of America, CA Council of Chapters
Vietnam Veterans of America- California State Council
Oppose: None received.
-- END --
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
ATR Bill Id:AB 671
Author:(Chávez)
As Amended Ver:March 21, 2017
Majority vote
Committee | Votes | Ayes | Noes |
Veterans Affairs | 10-0 | Irwin, Chávez, Daly, Frazier, Gloria, Mathis, Muratsuchi, Quirk-Silva, Salas, Voepel |
SUMMARY: Authorizes a veterans memorial district (Memorial District) to provide services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families, including, but not limited to, counseling, case management, and employment training and placement. Specifically, this bill:
- Grants an additional latent power to Memorial Districts: They may provide services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families.
- Clarifies that services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families may include, but are not limited to, behavioral health services, counseling, social services, case management, affordable housing, and employment training and placement.
EXISTING LAW: Military and Veterans Code (MVC) Division 6, Chapter 1, Sections 1170 – 1259, provides for the formation of Memorial Districts and provides for their powers and functions in constructing, acquiring, and operating halls, buildings, meeting places, and other facilities for the use of veterans and veterans' organizations and by persons and organizations other than veterans when their use does not interfere with the use of the facilities by veterans. Existing law authorizes, under specified conditions and to fund these purposes, the issuance of district bonds and the imposition of a Memorial District tax.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown. This bill is keyed non-fiscal by the Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS: According to the Author:
There are currently 27 Veterans Memorial Districts across California, which are dedicated to the memory of all who proudly served and protected our country. Through facilities and support programs, Veterans Memorial Districts promote a legacy of service and strengthen the bonds of our communities.
Each Veterans Memorial District focuses on the local veterans needs in its unique community, adapting to the diversity of veterans needs in our state. However, they are limited in the utility of their districts to construction and maintenance of veteran halls, memorials and similar structures. While these functions are quite important, the underlying motive behind these districts and the needs of current veterans could be expanded by a wider scope of permitted uses and activities.
The code sections authorizing Memorial Districts date back to the mid 1930's. As set forth above, the scope of powers contemplated under the existing code scheme is limited to construction of buildings, halls, meeting places, recreational facilities, and similar infrastructure. Now, not quite 100 years later, such structures and meeting places are still important, but what has become the more critical need is not a physical place for veterans to gather or recreate, but funding the programs and supportive services that veterans and their families need.
This bill does not:
- Raise taxes.
- Create any new Memorial Districts.
- Alter or delete any of the powers of Memorial Districts as they are currently in code. Those powers currently include construction, leasing, furnishing, etc., meeting places and recreational facilities for veterans.
- Alter the process for formation of a new Memorial District.
This bill does:
- Add a new latent power which existing Memorial Districts may exercise.
- Add a new latent power which newly formed Memorial Districts could exercise.
This bill comes to the Committee in the context of several issues facing modern veterans. Veterans of the post 9-11 era have different needs and the Nation has learned a great deal since WWII about the effect of war on servicemembers. It is also worthy to note that the nature of the American military has changed greatly since WWII. It is now an all-volunteer force, is much more integrated in terms of gender and race, and has placed increasing reliance on the use of the Reserve Component and National Guard.
While there is definitely still a need and desire for veterans to have places to congregate, and for places which honor the service of veterans, we recognize in the modern era that in addition to such physical infrastructure we need to provide services and support for veterans and their families, and we need to be prepared to do so in some cases for the rest of the veteran's life.
The state has taken action to meet the needs of current veterans, but in some cases, especially during a time of austere budgets, there has been insufficient funding to meet the need. One notable program in particular has been the Veterans Housing and Homelessness Prevention Program (VHHP). This program authorized the use of $600 million in bond authority to finance rental housing construction and was an unprecedented step taken by California to meet the goal of eliminating veteran homelessness. The program, however, does not provide for the services and support that are essential to those veterans getting off the street. The new authority this bill would provide would empower those communities with a Memorial District to utilize it to support VHHP projects with the supportive services critical to making the VHHP a success.
Finally, throughout the state there are veterans memorial halls and structures which were built outside the memorial district structure. In some cases, these buildings are aging and require substantial investment to maintain them. Further, in some cases the buildings are now in areas which make them more financially attractive to use for purposes other than for veterans, particularly if there is insufficient funding for veterans service organizations and others to fill the memorial buildings with services and programs for veterans. This has in some cases, resulted in discussions about repurposing such structures for a more financially beneficial use for cities and counties, including relocating the veterans groups, organizations, and services traditionally housed within. The bill's addition of the new latent power may offer an avenue for solving the foregoing issues, for example, by funding needed building repairs, or by funding the services necessary to create service hubs or campuses for veterans and their families.
Analysis Prepared by: John Spangler / V.A. / (916) 319-3550 FN: 0000107
Date of Hearing: April 4, 2017
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Jacqui Irwin, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 671 (
Author:Chávez) – As Amended Ver:March 21, 2017
SUBJECT: Veterans: services
SUMMARY: Authorizes a veterans memorial district (Memorial District) to provide services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families, including, but not limited to, counseling, case management, and employment training and placement. Specifically, this bill:
- Grants an additional latent power to Memorial Districts: They may provide services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families.
- Clarifies that services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families may include, but are not limited to, behavioral health services, counseling, social services, case management, affordable housing, and employment training and placement.
EXISTING LAW: MVC Division 6, Chapter 1, Sections 1170 – 1259, provides for the formation of Memorial Districts and provides for their powers and functions in constructing, acquiring, and operating halls, buildings, meeting places, and other facilities for the use of veterans and veterans’ organizations and by persons and organizations other than veterans when their use does not interfere with the use of the facilities by veterans. Existing law authorizes, under specified conditions and to fund these purposes, the issuance of district bonds and the imposition of a Memorial District tax.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown at this time.
COMMENTS: According to the Author:
There are currently 27 Veterans Memorial Districts across California, which are dedicated to the memory of all who proudly served and protected our country. Through facilities and support programs, Veterans Memorial Districts promote a legacy of service and strengthen the bonds of our communities.
Each Veterans Memorial District focuses on the local veterans needs in its unique community, adapting to the diversity of veterans needs in our state. However, they are limited in the utility of their districts to construction and maintenance of veteran halls, memorials and similar structures. While these functions are quite important, the underlying motive behind these districts and the needs of current veterans could be expanded by a wider scope of permitted uses and activities.
The code sections authorizing Memorial Districts date back to the mid 1930’s. As set forth above, the scope of powers contemplated under the existing code scheme is limited to construction of buildings, halls, meeting places, recreational facilities, and similar infrastructure. Now, not quite 100 years later, such structures and meeting places are still important, but what has become the more critical need is not a physical place for veterans to gather or recreate, but funding the programs and supportive services that veterans and their families need.
This bill does not:
- Raise taxes.
- Create any new Memorial Districts.
- Alter or delete any of the powers of Memorial Districts as they are currently in code. Those powers currently include construction, leasing, furnishing, etc., meeting places and recreational facilities for veterans.
- Alter the process for formation of a new Memorial District.
This bill does:
- Add a new latent power which existing Memorial Districts may exercise.
- Add a new latent power which newly formed Memorial Districts could exercise.
This bill comes to the Committee in the context of several issues facing modern veterans. Veterans of the post 9-11 era have different needs and the Nation has learned a great deal since WWII about the effect of war on servicemembers. It is also worthy to note that the nature of the American military has changed greatly since WWII. It is now an all-volunteer force, is much more integrated in terms of gender and race, and has placed increasing reliance on the use of the Reserve Component and National Guard.
While there is definitely still a need and desire for veterans to have places to congregate, and for places which honor the service of veterans, we recognize in the modern era that in addition to such physical infrastructure we need to provide services and support for veterans and their families, and we need to be prepared to do so in some cases for the rest of the veteran’s life.
The state has taken action to meet the needs of current veterans, but in some cases, especially during a time of austere budgets, there has been insufficient funding to meet the need. One notable program in particular has been the Veterans Housing and Homelessness Prevention Program (VHHP). This program authorized the use of $600 million in bond authority to finance rental housing construction and was an unprecedented step taken by California to meet the goal of eliminating veteran homelessness. The program, however, does not provide for the services and support that are essential to those veterans getting off the street. The new authority this bill would provide would empower those communities with a Memorial District to utilize it to support VHHP projects with the supportive services critical to making the VHHP a success.
Finally, throughout the state there are veterans memorial halls and structures which were built outside the memorial district structure. In some cases, these buildings are aging and require substantial investment to maintain them. Further, in some cases the buildings are now in areas which make them more financially attractive to use for purposes other than for veterans, particularly if there is insufficient funding for veterans service organizations and others to fill the memorial buildings with services and programs for veterans. This has in some cases, resulted in discussions about repurposing such structures for a more financially beneficial use for cities and counties, including relocating the veterans groups, organizations, and services traditionally housed within. The bill’s addition of the new latent power may offer an avenue for solving the foregoing issues, for example, by funding needed building repairs, or by funding the services necessary to create service hubs or campuses for veterans and their families.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
American GI Forum of California
American Legion- Department of California
AMVETS- Department of California
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
California Association of Veteran Service Agencies
California State Commanders Veterans Council
Military Officers Association of America, CA Council of Chapters
Vietnam Veterans of America- California State Council
Opposition
None on File.
Analysis Prepared by: John Spangler / V.A. / (916) 319-3550
Discussed in Hearing
45SEC
Assembly Floor
1MIN
Assembly Floor
8MIN
Assembly Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs
Bill Author
