AB 1566: Department of Veterans Affairs: veterans’ services.
- Session Year: 2023-2024
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2023-10-10
Current Status:
Passed
(2023-10-10: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 694, Statutes of 2023.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The bill requires the state Department of Veterans Affairs to include in its annual report each county veterans service office’s staff makeup (how many are administrative, clerical, or handle claims) and the office’s annual funding with year-to-year and five-year changes. It also allows the department to require counties to use uniform workload and measurement units and to submit standardized claims and other data.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Existing law requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to disburse funds, appropriated to the department for the purpose of supporting county veterans service officers pursuant to the annual Budget Act, on a pro rata basis, to a county that complies with certain conditions. Existing law requires the department to prepare an annual report of the activities of county veterans services officers, including the number of claims filed to receive pension benefits and a summary of other services provided by county veterans service officers.
This bill would require the departments annual report to include the composition of staff at the county office, as specified, and the annual funding of the county veterans service office by the county, as specified. This bill would authorize the department to require county veterans service officers to apply uniform measurement and workload units, claims, and other information.
Existing law requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to disburse funds, appropriated to the department for the purpose of supporting county veterans service officers pursuant to the annual Budget Act, on a pro rata basis, to a county that complies with certain conditions. Existing law requires the department to prepare an annual report of the activities of county veterans services officers, including the number of claims filed to receive pension benefits and a summary of other services provided by county veterans service officers.
This bill would require the departments annual report to include the composition of staff at the county office, as specified, and the annual funding of the county veterans service office by the county, as specified. This bill would authorize the department to require county veterans service officers to apply uniform measurement and workload units, claims, and other information.
Existing law requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to disburse funds, appropriated to the department for the purpose of supporting county veterans service officers pursuant to the annual Budget Act, on a pro rata basis, to a county that complies with certain conditions. Existing law requires the department to prepare an annual report of the activities of county veterans services officers, including the number of claims filed to receive pension benefits and a summary of other services provided by county veterans service officers.
This bill would require the department, no later than July 1, 2025, to develop an allocation formula based upon performance standards that encourage innovation and reward outstanding service by county veterans service officers, and would require moneys to be allocated, upon appropriation by the Legislature, in accordance with that formula, as specified. The bill would require the department to annually report to the Legislature the efficacy, return on investment, work volume, and regional impact of the subvention funds on each county that receives those funds, as specified.This bill would require the departments annual report to include the composition of staff at the county office, as specified, and the annual funding of the county veterans service office by the county, as specified. This bill would authorize the department to require county veterans service officers to apply uniform measurement and workload units, claims, and other information.
Existing law requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to disburse funds, appropriated to the department for the purpose of supporting county veterans service officers pursuant to the annual Budget Act, on a pro rata basis, to a county that complies with certain conditions.
This bill would require the department, no later than July 1, 2025, to develop an allocation formula based upon performance standards that encourage innovation and reward outstanding service by county veterans service officers, and would require moneys to be allocated, upon appropriation by the Legislature, in accordance with that formula, as specified. The bill would require the department to annually report to the Legislature the efficacy, return on investment, work volume, and regional impact of the subvention funds on each county that receives those funds, as specified.
(a)The sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs for allocation, during the 198990 fiscal year, for purposes of funding the activities of county veterans service officers pursuant to this section. Funds for allocation in future years shall be as provided in the annual Budget Act.
(b)Funds shall be disbursed each fiscal year on a pro rata basis to counties that have established and maintain a county veterans service officer in accordance with the staffing level and workload of each county veterans service officer under a formula based upon performance that shall be developed by the Department of Veterans Affairs for these purposes, and that shall allocate county funds in any fiscal year for county veterans service officers in an amount not less than the amount allocated in the 198889 fiscal year.
(c)The department shall annually determine the amount of new or increased monetary benefits paid to eligible veterans by the federal government attributable to the assistance of county veterans service officers. The department shall, on or before October 1 of each year, prepare and transmit its determination for the preceding fiscal year to the Department of Finance and the Legislature. The Department of Finance shall review the departments determination in time to use the information in the annual Budget Act for the budget of the department for the next fiscal year.
(d)(1)The Legislature finds and declares that 50 percent of the amount annually budgeted for county veterans service officers is approximately eleven million dollars ($11,000,000). The Legislature further finds and declares that it is an efficient and reasonable use of state funds to increase the annual budget for county veterans service officers if it is justified by the monetary benefits to the states veterans attributable to the effort of these officers.
(2)It is the intent of the Legislature, after reviewing the departments determination in subdivision (c), to consider an increase in the annual budget for county veterans service officers in an amount not to exceed five million dollars ($5,000,000), if the monetary benefits to the states veterans attributable to the assistance of county veteran service officers justify that increase in the budget.
SEC. 2.Section 974 of the Military and Veterans Code is amended to read:974.(a)The Department of Veterans Affairs shall annually prepare a report of the activities of county veterans service officers, and may require each county veterans service officer to submit information required to prepare the report. The report shall include the following:
(1)The number of veterans and their family members who have contacted or utilized the services of the county veterans service offices during the fiscal year.
(2)The number of claims filed to achieve benefits such as pension, disability compensation, and health care on behalf of veterans and their dependents.
(3)The annualized monetary value of benefits received by veterans and their dependents as a result of the efforts of county veterans service offices, broken down by type of benefit.
(4)A summary of other services provided by county veterans service offices and special events and activities in which county veterans service offices participated, such as veterans outreach events, homeless veteran Stand Downs, and job fairs for veterans.
(5)The composition of the county office, including the number of staff, and how many are administrative, clerical, or directly supporting claims filed on behalf of veterans.
(6)The annual funding of the county veterans service office by the county, including year-to-year changes and funding over the previous five years.
(b)The information required to be included in paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, of subdivision (a) shall be set forth for each county together with a statewide total.
(c)For purposes of implementing this section, the department may require county veterans service officers to apply uniform measurement and workload units, claims, and other information required by the department under this section.
(d)The department shall transmit a copy of the report to the Department of Finance, the State Department of Health Care Services, the California Veterans Board, and to each Member of the Legislature.
(a)The sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs for allocation, during the 198990 fiscal year, for purposes of funding the activities of county veterans service officers pursuant to this section. Funds for allocation in future years shall be as provided in the annual Budget Act.
(b)Funds shall be disbursed each fiscal year on a pro rata basis to counties that have established and maintain a county veterans service officer in accordance with the staffing level and workload of each county veterans service officer under a formula based upon performance that shall be developed by the Department of Veterans Affairs for these purposes, and that shall allocate county funds in any fiscal year for county veterans service officers in an amount not less than the amount allocated in the 198889 fiscal year.
(c)The department shall annually determine the amount of new or increased monetary benefits paid to eligible veterans by the federal government attributable to the assistance of county veterans service officers. The department shall, on or before October 1 of each year, prepare and transmit its determination for the preceding fiscal year to the Department of Finance and the Legislature. The Department of Finance shall review the departments determination in time to use the information in the annual Budget Act for the budget of the department for the next fiscal year.
(d)(1)The Legislature finds and declares that 50 percent of the amount annually budgeted for county veterans service officers is approximately eleven million dollars ($11,000,000). The Legislature further finds and declares that it is an efficient and reasonable use of state funds to increase the annual budget for county veterans service officers if it is justified by the monetary benefits to the states veterans attributable to the effort of these officers.
(2)It is the intent of the Legislature, after reviewing the departments determination in subdivision (c), to consider an increase in the annual budget for county veterans service officers in an amount not to exceed five million dollars ($5,000,000), if the monetary benefits to the states veterans attributable to the assistance of county veteran service officers justify that increase in the budget.
SEC. 2.Section 974 of the Military and Veterans Code is amended to read:974.(a)The Department of Veterans Affairs shall annually prepare a report of the activities of county veterans service officers, and may require each county veterans service officer to submit information required to prepare the report. The report shall include the following:
(1)The number of veterans and their family members who have contacted or utilized the services of the county veterans service offices during the fiscal year.
(2)The number of claims filed to achieve benefits such as pension, disability compensation, and health care on behalf of veterans and their dependents.
(3)The annualized monetary value of benefits received by veterans and their dependents as a result of the efforts of county veterans service offices, broken down by type of benefit.
(4)A summary of other services provided by county veterans service offices and special events and activities in which county veterans service offices participated, such as veterans outreach events, homeless veteran Stand Downs, and job fairs for veterans.
(5)The composition of the county office, including the number of staff, and how many are administrative, clerical, or directly supporting claims filed on behalf of veterans.
(6)The annual funding of the county veterans service office by the county, including year-to-year changes and funding over the previous five years.
(b)The information required to be included in paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, of subdivision (a) shall be set forth for each county together with a statewide total.
(c)For purposes of implementing this section, the department may require county veterans service officers to apply uniform measurement and workload units, claims, and other information required by the department under this section.
(d)The department shall transmit a copy of the report to the Department of Finance, the State Department of Health Care Services, the California Veterans Board, and to each Member of the Legislature.
(a)The sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs for allocation, during the 198990 fiscal year, for purposes of funding the activities of county veterans service officers pursuant to this section. Funds for allocation in future years shall be as provided in the annual Budget Act.
(b)Funds shall be disbursed each fiscal year on a pro rata basis to counties that have established and maintain a county veterans service officer in accordance with the staffing level and workload of each county veterans service officer under a formula based upon performance that shall be developed by the Department of Veterans Affairs for these purposes, and that shall allocate county funds in any fiscal year for county veterans service officers in an amount not less than the amount allocated in the 198889 fiscal year.
(c)The department shall annually determine the amount of new or increased monetary benefits paid to eligible veterans by the federal government attributable to the assistance of county veterans service officers. The department shall, on or before October 1 of each year, prepare and transmit its determination for the preceding fiscal year to the Department of Finance and the Legislature. The Department of Finance shall review the departments determination in time to use the information in the annual Budget Act for the budget of the department for the next fiscal year.
(d)(1)The Legislature finds and declares that 50 percent of the amount annually budgeted for county veterans service officers is approximately eleven million dollars ($11,000,000). The Legislature further finds and declares that it is an efficient and reasonable use of state funds to increase the annual budget for county veterans service officers in an amount not to exceed eleven million dollars ($11,000,000) if it is justified by the monetary benefits to the states veterans attributable to the effort of these officers.
(2)It is the intent of the Legislature, after reviewing the departments determination in subdivision (c), to consider an increase in the annual budget for county veterans service officers in an amount not to exceed five million dollars ($5,000,000), if the monetary benefits to the states veterans attributable to the assistance of county veteran service officers justify that increase in the budget.
(e)This section shall become operative January 1, 2016.SEC. 2.Section 974 of the Military and Veterans Code is amended to read:974.(a)The Department of Veterans Affairs shall annually prepare a report of the activities of county veterans service officers, and may require each county veterans service officer to submit information required to prepare the report. The report shall include the following:
(1)The number of veterans and their family members who have contacted or utilized the services of the county veterans service offices during the fiscal year.
(2)The number of claims filed to achieve benefits such as pension, disability compensation, and health care on behalf of veterans and their dependents.
(3)The annualized monetary value of benefits received by veterans and their dependents as a result of the efforts of county veterans service offices, broken down by type of benefit.
(4)A summary of other services provided by county veterans service offices and special events and activities in which county veterans service offices participated, such as veterans outreach events, homeless veteran Stand Downs, and job fairs for veterans.
(5)The composition of the county office, including the number of staff, and how many are administrative, clerical, or directly supporting claims filed on behalf of veterans.
(6)The annual funding of the county veterans service office by the county, including year-to-year changes and funding over the previous five years.
(b)The information required to be included in paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, of subdivision (a) shall be set forth for each county together with a statewide total.
(c)For purposes of implementing this section, the department may require county veterans service officers to apply uniform measurement and workload units, claims, and other information required by the department under this section.
(c)(d)The department shall transmit a copy of the report to the Department of Finance, the State Department of Health Care Services, the California Veterans Board, and to each Member of the Legislature.
SECTION 1.Section 972.1 of the Military and Veterans Code is repealed.SEC. 2.Section 972.1 is added to the Military and Veterans Code, to read:972.1.(a)The Department of Veterans Affairs shall, no later than July 1, 2025, develop an allocation formula based upon performance standards that encourage innovation and reward outstanding service by county veterans service officers. Upon appropriation by the Legislature of moneys for this purpose, the moneys shall be allocated each fiscal year in accordance with that formula among only those counties that, in the discretion of the secretary, comply with the following requirements:(1)Establish and maintain a county veterans service officer, pursuant to Section 970.(2)Collect and report all information required by the department in accordance with departmental regulations.(3)Comply with the training and accreditation standards for county veterans service officers and veteran service representatives as may be set by the department.(4)Require county veterans service officers and veteran service representatives to become accredited with the department for the purpose of providing representation services to claimants before the United States Department of Veterans Affairs within 18 months of the commencement of their employment, or on or before June 1, 2026, whichever date is later.(b)The department shall annually report to the Legislature the efficacy, return on investment, work volume, and regional impact of the subvention funds on each county that receives those funds. The department shall, in addition to the requirements of Section 974, annually determine information including, but not limited to, the following:(1)The amount of new or increased monetary benefits paid to eligible veterans by the federal government attributable to the assistance of county veterans service officers and the basis for that determination.(2)The amount paid to each county, including the amounts paid to each county for each category of workload unit included in the allocation formula.(3)An evaluation as to each countys use of subvention funds, including recommendations for improvement of each countys use of subvention funds.(c)The department shall, on or before October 1 of each year, prepare and transmit its determination for the preceding fiscal year to the Department of Finance and the Legislature. The Department of Finance shall review the departments determination in time to use the information in the annual Budget Act for the budget of the department for the next fiscal year. The department may combine this report with the report required by Section 974.(d)For the purposes of this section, workload unit means a specific claim activity that is used to allocate subvention funds to counties, which is approved by the department, and performed by county veterans service officers.(e)It is the intent of the Legislature that the department revise the allocation formula pursuant to this section on a regular basis to adjust for changes in veteran demographics and veteran needs.(a)The Department of Veterans Affairs shall, no later than July 1, 2025, develop an allocation formula based upon performance standards that encourage innovation and reward outstanding service by county veterans service officers. Upon appropriation by the Legislature of moneys for this purpose, the moneys shall be allocated each fiscal year in accordance with that formula among only those counties that, in the discretion of the secretary, comply with the following requirements:
(1)Establish and maintain a county veterans service officer, pursuant to Section 970.
(2)Collect and report all information required by the department in accordance with departmental regulations.
(3)Comply with the training and accreditation standards for county veterans service officers and veteran service representatives as may be set by the department.
(4)Require county veterans service officers and veteran service representatives to become accredited with the department for the purpose of providing representation services to claimants before the United States Department of Veterans Affairs within 18 months of the commencement of their employment, or on or before June 1, 2026, whichever date is later.
(b)The department shall annually report to the Legislature the efficacy, return on investment, work volume, and regional impact of the subvention funds on each county that receives those funds. The department shall, in addition to the requirements of Section 974, annually determine information including, but not limited to, the following:
(1)The amount of new or increased monetary benefits paid to eligible veterans by the federal government attributable to the assistance of county veterans service officers and the basis for that determination.
(2)The amount paid to each county, including the amounts paid to each county for each category of workload unit included in the allocation formula.
(3)An evaluation as to each countys use of subvention funds, including recommendations for improvement of each countys use of subvention funds.
(c)The department shall, on or before October 1 of each year, prepare and transmit its determination for the preceding fiscal year to the Department of Finance and the Legislature. The Department of Finance shall review the departments determination in time to use the information in the annual Budget Act for the budget of the department for the next fiscal year. The department may combine this report with the report required by Section 974.
(d)For the purposes of this section, workload unit means a specific claim activity that is used to allocate subvention funds to counties, which is approved by the department, and performed by county veterans service officers.
(e)It is the intent of the Legislature that the department revise the allocation formula pursuant to this section on a regular basis to adjust for changes in veteran demographics and veteran needs.
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Date
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Status
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|---|---|
| Oct 10, 2023 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 694, Statutes of 2023. |
| Oct 10, 2023 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Sep 5, 2023 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m. |
| Aug 28, 2023 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 75. Noes 0. Page 2824.). |
| Aug 24, 2023 | In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. May be considered on or after August 26 pursuant to Assembly Rule 77. |
| Aug 24, 2023 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2181.). |
| Aug 22, 2023 | Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| Aug 21, 2023 | From committee: Be ordered to second reading file pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| Jul 11, 2023 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (July 10). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| May 15, 2023 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on M. & V.A. |
| May 10, 2023 | Referred to Com. on M. & V.A. |
| Apr 27, 2023 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| Apr 27, 2023 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 1367.) |
| Apr 20, 2023 | Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| Apr 19, 2023 | From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 19). |
| Mar 29, 2023 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (March 28). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Mar 9, 2023 | Referred to Com. on M. & V.A. |
| Feb 18, 2023 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 20. |
| Feb 17, 2023 | 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 28, 2023 | AB 1566 Soria Concurrence in Senate Amendments | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
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| Aug 24, 2023 | Consent Calendar 2nd AB1566 Soria et al. | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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| Jul 10, 2023 | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Senate Standing Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs |
Passed |
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| Apr 27, 2023 | AB 1566 Soria Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
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| Apr 19, 2023 | Do pass. To Consent Calendar. | Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
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| Mar 28, 2023 | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Assembly Standing Committee on Military and 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
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Date
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|---|---|---|
| California Association Of County Veterans Service Officers | ** Support |
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
CSA1 Bill Id:AB 1566
Author:(Soria and Cervantes)
As Amended Ver:May 15, 2023
Majority vote
SUMMARY
This bill requires the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet)'s annual report to include the composition of staff at the county office, as specified, and the annual funding of the county veterans service office by the county, as specified. This bill authorizes CalVet to require county veterans service officers (CVSOs) to apply uniform measurement of workload units, claims, and other information.
Senate Amendments
Reverse the repeal of Military and Veterans Code Section 972.1 and its replacement with a new section that did the following:
- Required CalVet to develop a new performance-based formula for the allocation of CVSO subvention funds,
- Made award of funds to counties contingent on their adherence to specified requirements,
- Required CalVet to gather specified information about individual CVSO operations and to make recommendations for their improvement, and to regularly revise its performance-based formula to account for changes in the veteran population.
COMMENTS
CVSOs are local agencies established to assist veterans and their families in obtaining benefits and services accrued through military service.
The cost of maintaining a CVSO is primarily a county expense; however, counties with an established CVSO receive some state funding. Depending on the revenue source, these funds are distributed either based on specific performance measurements or as a percentage of net county cost. While state general funds and federal pass-through funds distributed by the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) assist counties in maintaining their CVSOs, the primary cost of the CVSO program statewide is a county expense, not a state expense. Funds received by CVSOs are subject to both internal county audits and regular audits by CalVet in accordance with the California Code of Regulations.
In fiscal year 2021-22, CVSOs brought in nearly $425 million in new federal monetary benefits to California veterans and their families.
CalVet is required to publish an annual report on the activities of CVSOs, and CVSO to submit information required to prepare the report. The report must include only the following:
- The number of veterans and their family members who have contacted or utilized CVSO services during the fiscal year.
- The number of benefit claims filed (including pension, disability compensation, and healthcare on behalf of veterans and their dependents).
- The annualized monetary value of benefits received by veterans and their dependents as a result of the efforts of CVSO, broken down by type of benefit.
- A summary of other services provided by CVSO and special events and activities in which CVSO participated, such as veterans outreach events, homeless veteran "Stand Downs," and job fairs for veterans.
The annual report does not include information about staffing and operation of each CVSO, the county's investment, or the structure of the CVSO within county government. Many of the differences between CVSOs remain a "black box" to anyone evaluating their performance on the basis of the annual report alone.
Author amendments taken in the Senate significantly narrow the scope and requirements of the bill, but its policy substance remains the same.
According to the Author
"CVSOs are a crucial component of California's veteran support structure, both aiding veterans in establishing their eligibility for federal and state benefits and aiding them in filing claims. More detailed reporting to the legislature about their individual composition, better synthesis and consistency of data, as well as some measure of the customer service experience veterans receive in each office, would lead to a better understanding of what leads to superior performance, where funding shortfalls drive underperformance, and how we can improve the systemic provision of services to California veterans."
Arguments in Support
The California Association of County Veterans Service Officers writes in support by highlighting this bill "seeks to require the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) to add to their annual report of the activities of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs) - the composition of staff at the county office and the annual funding of the county veterans service office by the county, and authorizes CalVet to require CVSOs to apply uniform measurement and workload units, claims, and other information."
Arguments in Opposition
None on file.
FISCAL COMMENTS
This bill was passed directly from the Senate Appropriations Committee pursuant to Joint Rule 28.8, as it was determined to have no significant fiscal impact.
VOTES:
ASM MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS: 11-0-0
YES: Soria, Davies, Addis, Alvarez, Boerner Horvath, Juan Carrillo, Mathis, Muratsuchi, Petrie-Norris, Ta, Valencia
ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 14-0-2
YES: Holden, Megan Dahle, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Dixon, Mike Fong, Hart, Lowenthal, Mathis, Papan, Robert Rivas, Sanchez, Weber, Wilson
ABS, ABST OR NV: Bryan, Pellerin
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0-1
YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones‑Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, Mathis, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Robert Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Rendon
ABS, ABST OR NV: Jim Patterson
SENATE FLOOR: 40-0-0
YES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Caballero, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Menjivar, Min, Newman, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk
UPDATED
VERSION: May 15, 2023
CONSULTANT: Christian Burkin / M. & V.A. / (916) 319-3550 FN: 0001328
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | AB 1566 |
CONSENT
Bill No: AB 1566
Author: Soria (D) and Cervantes (D)
Amended: 5/15/23 in Senate
Vote: 21
SENATE MILITARY & VETERANS COMMITTEE: 5-0, 7/10/23
AYES: Archuleta, Grove, Alvarado-Gil, Menjivar, Umberg
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 4/27/23 (Consent) - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Department of Veterans Affairs: veterans’ services
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST:
This bill requires the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet)’s annual report to include the composition of staff at the county office, as specified, and the annual funding of the county veterans service office by the county, as specified. This bill authorizes CalVet to require county veterans service officers (CVSOs) to apply uniform measurement and workload units, claims, and other information.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Authorizes the board of supervisors of each county to appoint, prescribe the qualifications of, and fix the compensation of an officer to be titled “county veterans service officer.”
- Requires CalVet to disburse funds, appropriated to the department for the purpose of supporting CVSOs pursuant to the annual Budget Act, on a pro rata basis, to a county that complies with certain conditions.
- Requires CalVet to prepare an annual report of the activities of CVSOs, including the number of claims filed to receive pension benefits and a summary of other services provided by county veterans service officers.
- Requires the CVSO appointee to be a veteran.
- States the duty of the CVSO to administer aid provided for in Military and Veterans Code (MVC) Section 970, to investigate all claims, applications, or requests for aid made pursuant to the terms of MVC Section 970, and to perform any other veteran related services as requested by the county board of supervisors.
This bill:
- Requires CalVet’s annual report to include the composition of staff at the county office, as specified, and the annual funding of the CVSOs by the county, as specified.
- Authorizes CalVet to require CVSOs to apply uniform measurement and workload units, claims, and other information.
Background
CVSOs are local agencies established to assist veterans and their families in obtaining benefits and services accrued through military service. While state general funds and federal pass-through funds distributed by CalVet assists counties in maintaining their CVSOs, the primary cost of the CVSO program statewide is a county expense, not a state expense. Depending on the revenue source, these funds are distributed based either on specific performance measurements or as a percentage of net county cost. Funds received by CVSOs are subject to both internal county audits and regular audits by CalVet in accordance with the California Code of Regulations.
In fiscal year 2021-2022, CVSOs brought in nearly $425 million in new federal monetary benefits to California veterans and their families.
Comments
CalVet is required to publish an annual report on the activities of CVSOs, and CVSO to submit information required to prepare the report. The report must include only the following:
- The number of veterans and their family members who have contacted or utilized CVSO services during the fiscal year.
- The number of benefit claims filed (including pension, disability compensation, and healthcare on behalf of veterans and their dependents).
- The annualized monetary value of benefits received by veterans and their dependents as a result of the efforts of CVSO, broken down by type of benefit.
- A summary of other services provided by CVSO and special events and activities in which CVSO participated, such as veterans outreach events, homeless veteran “Stand Downs,” and job fairs for veterans.
The annual report does not include information about staffing and operation of each CVSO, the county’s investment, or the structure of the CVSO within county government. Many of the differences between CVSOs remain a “black box” to anyone evaluating their performance on the basis of the annual report alone.
CVSOs are the first point of contact for most of California’s veterans. This data will help policy makers determine any potential gaps in access to services for veterans in order to better equip CVSOs and ensure all veterans have access to resources and services available to them.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 8/21/23)
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/21/23)
None received
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 4/27/23
AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, Mathis, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Robert Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Rendon
NO VOTE RECORDED: Jim Patterson
Prepared by: Jenny Callison / M.&V.A. / (916) 651-1503
8/23/23 14:42:47
**** END ****
SENATE COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
Senator Bob Archuleta, Chair
2023 - 2024 Regular
Bill No: AB 1566 Hearing Date: 7/10/23
Author: | Soria | ||
Version: | 5/15/23 Amended | ||
Urgency: | No | Fiscal: | Yes |
Consultant: | Jenny Callison | ||
Subject: Department of Veterans Affairs: veterans’ services
DESCRIPTION
Summary:
Requires the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) to add to their annual report of the activities of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs) - the composition of staff at the county office and the annual funding of the county veterans service office by the county, and authorizes CalVet to require CVSOs to apply uniform measurement and workload units, claims, and other information.
Existing law:
- Authorizes the board of supervisors of each county to appoint, prescribe the qualifications of, and fix the compensation of an officer to be titled “county veterans service officer.”
- Requires the CVSO appointee to be a veteran.
- States the duty of the CVSO to administer aid provided for in MVC 970, to investigate all claims, applications, or requests for aid made pursuant to the terms of MVC 970, and to perform any other veteran related services as requested by the county board of supervisors.
- Requires CalVet to disburse funds, appropriated to the department for the purpose of supporting CVSOs pursuant to the annual Budget Act, on a pro rata basis, to a county that complies with certain conditions.
- Requires CalVet to prepare an annual report of the activities of CVSOs, including the number of claims filed to receive pension benefits and a summary of other services provided by county veterans service officers.
This bill:
- Requires CalVet’s annual report to include the composition of staff at the county office, as specified, and the annual funding of the CVSOs by the county, as specified.
- Authorizes CalVet to require CVSOs to apply uniform measurement and workload units, claims, and other information.
BACKGROUND
CVSOs are local agencies established to assist veterans and their families in obtaining benefits and services accrued through military service. While state general funds and federal pass-through funds distributed by CalVet assists counties in maintaining their CVSOs, the primary cost of the CVSO program statewide is a county expense, not a state expense. Depending on the revenue source, these funds are distributed based either on specific performance measurements or as a percentage of net county cost. Funds received by CVSOs are subject to both internal county audits and regular audits by CalVet in accordance with the California Code of Regulations.
In fiscal year 2021-2022, CVSOs brought in nearly $425 million in new federal monetary benefits to California veterans and their families.
COMMENT
CalVet is required to publish an annual report on the activities of CVSOs, and CVSO to submit information required to prepare the report. The report must include only the following:
- The number of veterans and their family members who have contacted or utilized CVSO services during the fiscal year.
- The number of benefit claims filed (including pension, disability compensation, and healthcare on behalf of veterans and their dependents).
- The annualized monetary value of benefits received by veterans and their dependents as a result of the efforts of CVSO, broken down by type of benefit.
- A summary of other services provided by CVSO and special events and activities in which CVSO participated, such as veterans outreach events, homeless veteran “Stand Downs,” and job fairs for veterans.
The annual report does not include information about staffing and operation of each CVSO, the county’s investment, or the structure of the CVSO within county government. Many of the differences between CVSOs remain a “black box” to anyone evaluating their performance on the basis of the annual report alone.
County Veteran Service Officers are the first point of contact for most of California’s veterans. This data will help policy makers determine any potential gaps in access to services for veterans in order to better equip CVSOs and ensure all veterans have access to resources and services available to them.
POSITIONS
Sponsor: Author.
Support: None on File.
Oppose: None on File.
-- END --
Date of Hearing: April 19, 2023
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Chris Holden, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1566
Author:(Soria) – As Introduced Ver:February 17, 2023
Policy Committee: | Military and Veterans Affairs | Vote: | 11 - 0 |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), by July 1, 2025, to develop an allocation formula for funding provided to counties to support the activities of county veterans service officers (CVSOs). This bill also requires CalVet to annually report to the Legislature on the impact of these funds.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Minor and absorbable General Fund costs to CalVet to develop an allocation formula to govern the distribution of the appropriated funds to county veterans service officers and to annually report on the impact of funds provided. CalVet indicates is has already developed most of the criteria in the bill and is currently required to provide an annual report to the Legislature showing the distribution and performance of the funds.
COMMENTS:
- Purpose. According to the author:
CVSOs are a crucial component of California’s veteran support structure, both aiding veterans in establishing their eligibility for federal and state benefits and aiding them in filing claims. More detailed reporting to the legislature about their individual composition, better synthesis and consistency of data, as well as some measure of the customer service experience veterans receive in each office, would lead to a better understanding of what leads to superior performance, where funding shortfalls drive underperformance, and how we can improve the systemic provision of services to California veterans.
- Background. CVSOs, located in 57 of California’s 58 counties, assist veterans and their families in obtaining benefits and services accrued through military service and are authorized to represent veterans in the process for claiming federal benefits they are entitled to. Due to historically low levels of receipt of benefits by California’s veterans, existing law authorizes annual funding in the state budget to CalVet for allocation to CVSOs to assist veterans in claiming benefits.
By assisting veterans with accessing their benefits, CVSOs bring additional federal funds into the state economy, and potentially reduce the dependence of veterans on state and local programs. Existing law requires CalVet to collect information on the additional federal veterans’ benefits California veterans receive due to assistance by CVSOs. According to CalVet, during the 2021-22 fiscal year, CVSOs assisted California veterans in accessing $425 million in federal benefits.
- Prior Legislation. AB 171 (Irwin), of the 2015-16 Legislative Session, was nearly identical to this bill. AB 171 died on the Senate inactive file on the Senate Floor.
Analysis Prepared by: Jennifer Swenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
Date of Hearing: March 28, 2023
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
Esmeralda Soria, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1566 (
Author:Soria) – As Introduced Ver:February 17, 2023
SUBJECT: Department of Veterans Affairs: veterans’ services
SUMMARY: Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) to develop a new formula for allocation of County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) subvention funds to encourage innovation and reward outstanding customer service to eligible counties, as specified, and requires the department to report annually on the performance of those CVSOs, as specified. Specifically, this bill:
- Requires that the Department of Veterans Affairs develop, no later than July 1, 2025, an allocation formula based upon performance standards that encourage innovation and reward outstanding service by county veterans service officers.
- Requires that upon appropriation by the Legislature of moneys for this purpose, the moneys shall be allocated each fiscal year in accordance with that formula among only those counties that, in the discretion of the secretary, comply with the following requirements:
- Establish and maintain a county veterans service officer, pursuant to Military and Veterans Code §970.
- Collect and report all information required by the department in accordance with departmental regulations.
- Comply with the training and accreditation standards for county veterans service officers and veteran service representatives as may be set by the department.
- Require county veterans service officers and veteran service representatives to become accredited with the department for the purpose of providing representation services to claimants before the United States Department of Veterans Affairs within 18 months of the commencement of their employment, or on or before June 1, 2026, whichever date is later.
- Requires that CalVet annually report to the Legislature the efficacy, return on investment, work volume, and regional impact of the subvention funds on each county that receives those funds.
- Requires that CalVet in addition to the requirements of Military and Veterans Code Section §974, annually determine information including, but not limited to, the following:
- The amount of new or increased monetary benefits paid to eligible veterans by the federal government attributable to the assistance of county veterans service officers and the basis for that determination.
- The amount paid to each county, including the amounts paid to each county for each category of workload unit included in the allocation formula.
- An evaluation as to each county’s use of subvention funds, including recommendations for improvement of each county’s use of subvention funds.
- Requires that the department, on or before October 1 of each year, prepare and transmit its determination for the preceding fiscal year to the Department of Finance and the Legislature. The Department of Finance shall review the department’s determination in time to use the information in the annual Budget Act for the CalVet budget for the next fiscal year, and provides that the department may combine this report with the report required by MVC §974.
- Defines “workload unit” as a specific claim activity that is used to allocate subvention funds to counties, which is approved by CalVet, and performed by county veterans service officers.
- States that it is the intent of the Legislature that CalVet revise the allocation formula pursuant to this section on a regular basis to adjust for changes in veteran demographics and veteran needs.
EXISTING LAW:
- Permits the board of supervisors of each county to appoint a “county veterans service officer,” who must be a veteran, and whose duty it is to assist veterans in obtaining veterans benefits and to perform any other veteran-related service requested by the board. (Military and Veterans Code § 970.)
- Permits two or more counties to jointly establish a single county veterans service office to shall serve all the counties that agree to the joint establishment of that office. (Military and Veterans Code § 971.)
- Provides that the compensation and expenses of the CVSO shall be a county charge, but CalVet, out of state moneys made available, shall pay each county a portion of those costs in an amount determined by CalVet. (Military and Veterans Code § 972)
- Provides for an annual state appropriation for the CVSOs as determined in each year's Budget Act, currently funded at $11 million. (Military and Veterans Code § 972.1)
- Requires CalVet to determine and report to the Department of Finance (DOF) on or before October 1 of each year the annualized monetary value of benefits received by veterans and their dependents as a result of the efforts of CVSOs. (Military and Veterans Code § 972.1)
- Directs DOF to review CalVet's determination in time to use the information in the annual Budget Act with regard to CalVet’s budget for the next fiscal year. (Military and Veterans Code § 972.1)
- Provides that state subvention funds shall be disbursed each fiscal year on a pro rata basis to counties that have established and maintain a CVSO in accordance with the staffing level and workload of each CVSO under a formula based upon performance, as specified, developed by CalVet. (Military and Veterans Code § 972.1)
- Requires CalVet to annually prepare a report of the activities of county veterans service officers, and permits CalVet to require each county veterans service officer to submit information required to prepare the report, and requires that the report shall include the following:
- The number of veterans and their family members who have contacted or utilized the services of the county veterans service offices during the fiscal year.
- The number of claims filed to achieve benefits such as pension, disability compensation, and health care on behalf of veterans and their dependents.
- The annualized monetary value of benefits received by veterans and their dependents as a result of the efforts of county veterans service offices, broken down by type of benefit.
- A summary of other services provided by county veterans service offices and special events and activities in which county veterans service offices participated, such as veterans outreach events, homeless veteran “Stand Downs,” and job fairs for veterans. (Military and Veterans Code § 974.)
FISCAL EFFECT: This bill is keyed fiscal.
COMMENTS:
According to the author:
“CVSOs are a crucial component of California’s veteran support structure, both aiding veterans in establishing their eligibility for federal and state benefits and aiding them in filing claims. More detailed reporting to the legislature about their individual composition, better synthesis and consistency of data, as well as some measure of the customer service experience veterans receive in each office, would lead to a better understanding of what leads to superior performance, where funding shortfalls drive underperformance, and how we can improve the systemic provision of services to California veterans.”
CVSOs are local agencies established to assist veterans and their families in obtaining benefits and services accrued through military service.
The cost of maintaining a CVSO is primarily a county expense; however, counties with an established CVSO receive some state funding. Depending on the revenue source, these funds are distributed either based on specific performance measurements or as a percentage of net county cost. While state general funds and federal pass-through funds distributed by the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) assist counties in maintaining their CVSOs, the primary cost of the CVSO program statewide is a county expense, not a state expense. Funds received by CVSOs are subject to both internal county audits and regular audits by CalVet in accordance with the California Code of Regulations.
In fiscal year 2021-2022, CVSOs brought in nearly $425 million in new federal monetary benefits to California veterans and their families.
CalVet is required to publish an annual report on the activities of CVSOs, and CVSO to submit information required to prepare the report. The report must include only the following:
(1) The number of veterans and their family members who have contacted or utilized CVSO services during the fiscal year.
(2) The number of benefit claims filed (including pension, disability compensation, and healthcare on behalf of veterans and their dependents).
(3) The annualized monetary value of benefits received by veterans and their dependents as a result of the efforts of CVSO, broken down by type of benefit.
(4) A summary of other services provided by CVSO and special events and activities in which CVSO participated, such as veterans outreach events, homeless veteran “Stand Downs,” and job fairs for veterans.
The annual report does not include information about staffing and operation of each CVSO, the county’s investment, or the structure of the CVSO within county government. Many of the differences between CVSOs remain a “black box” to anyone evaluating their performance on the basis of the annual report alone.
Prior legislation
AB 171 (Irwin, 2015) was identical to this bill, with the exception of the relevant dates. Was held on the Senate floor at the end of the 2015-2016 session, where it died.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None on file.
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by: Christian Burkin / M. & V.A. / (916) 319-3550
Bill Co-Author(s):