Existing law requires the Undersecretary of Veterans Affairs be appointed and their salary established by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs pursuant to law. Existing law requires the secretary to appoint a Deputy Secretary of Women Veterans Affairs.

This bill would create, and would require the secretary to appoint, a Deputy Secretary of Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Affairs.

Existing law requires the Undersecretary of Veterans Affairs be appointed and their salary established by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs pursuant to law. Existing law requires the secretary to appoint a Deputy Secretary of Women Veterans Affairs.

This bill would create, and would require the secretary to appoint, a Deputy Secretary of Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Affairs.

Existing law requires the Undersecretary of Veterans Affairs be appointed and their salary established by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs pursuant to law. Existing law requires the secretary to appoint a Deputy Secretary of Women Veterans Affairs.

This bill would create, and would require the secretary to appoint, a Deputy Secretary of Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Affairs.

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 1994

Author: Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs

Introduced: 1/30/24

Vote: 21

SENATE MILITARY & VETERANS COMMITTEE: 5-0, 6/24/24

AYES: Archuleta, Grove, Alvarado-Gil, Menjivar, Umberg

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 75-0, 4/25/24 (Consent) - See last page for vote

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 5-0, 8/15/24

AYES: Caballero, Ashby, Becker, Bradford, Wahab

NO VOTE RECORDED: Jones, Seyarto

SUBJECT: Veterans: Department of Veterans Affairs

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill creates and requires the secretary to appoint a Deputy Secretary of Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Affairs.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes the CalVet Secretary as the department’s Chief Executive Officer, and describe some of the Secretary’s main responsibilities. (Military and Veterans Code (MVC) Secs. 74-78.)
2. Establishes that there is a CalVet undersecretary. (MVC. Sec.79)
3. Creates within CalVet the position of Deputy Secretary of Women Veterans Affairs. (MVC Sec. 79.1)
4. Creates within CalVet the position Deputy Secretary of Veterans Homes. (MVC Sec. 79.2)
5. States that it is preferable that the Deputy Secretary of Veterans Homes is a medical doctor who holds a valid, unrevoked, and unsuspended license to practice medicine in this state, or is a professionally trained hospital administrator with (1) experience in managing a multihospital organization and (2) training or experience in the care of the elderly. (MVC Sec. 79.2)
6. Establishes, under Federal law, within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) the Center for Minority Veterans, as well as the position of the center’s Director. (Title 38 U.S. Code Sec. 317)

This bill:

1. Establishes that within CalVet there is, and the Secretary must appoint, a Deputy Secretary of Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Affairs, who shall have responsibility over the administration of minority and underrepresented veterans affairs.
2. Adds the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) Deputy Secretary for Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Affairs to state statute.

Background

The position of Deputy Secretary of Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Affairs was created administratively, and the Secretary lacked direct staff until the budget of 2019-2020, when the Assembly advocated for the addition of three positions within the department reporting to the deputy.

According to CalVet website:

California is a richly diverse state with an equally diverse veteran population. Of the 1.6 million veterans in California, 754,831 self-identify as an ethnic minority. While minority veterans comprise approximately 47% of the total California veteran population, as a group, they are less likely to access their veterans benefits than non-minority veterans.

The Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Division will ensure that all veterans have equal access to their earned benefits, regardless of race, ethnic origin, religion, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. ​​​​​​

Comments

There is increasing understanding and recognition that veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who come from minority groups or other underrepresented groups face structural inequalities that are not mitigated by their military service. In February, the VA released an “Equity Action Plan” to identify disparities in benefits access and usage by minority and underrepresented veterans. Among other disparities, black veterans tend to receive lower grant rates for mental health conditions, and are wildly overrepresented among homeless veterans. Data also recognizes that minority veterans are less likely to receive benefits, and often live in areas where there are service gaps. Native American veterans, in particular, whose representation in the Armed Forces is about double their proportion of the general population, are less likely to receive benefits for which they were entitled, or could have established eligibility.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/15/24)

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

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/15/24)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 75-0, 4/25/24

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Robert Rivas

NO VOTE RECORDED: Boerner, Megan Dahle, Gallagher, Hart, Mathis

Prepared by: Jenny Callison / M.&V.A. / (916) 651-1503

8/18/24 8:51:12

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Senator Anna Caballero, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular Session

AB 1994 (Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs) - Veterans: Department of Veterans Affairs

Bill Summary:

This bill establishes a Deputy Secretary of Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Affairs within the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), to be appointed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Fiscal Impact:

While the 2024-25 Budget Act already includes funding for the deputy secretary position, this bill could result in ongoing General Fund costs of about $150,000 each year. The position was administratively established and has been funded in the state budget in recent years. However, codifying the position in statute would make it permanent and thereby create General Fund cost pressure to fund it each year.

Background:

Existing law establishes the CalVet Secretary as the department’s Chief Executive Officer, and describe some of the Secretary’s main responsibilities. Additionally, existing law establishes a CalVet undersecretary, and creates within CalVet the positions of Deputy Secretary of Women Veterans Affairs and Deputy Secretary of Veterans Homes. Existing law states that it is preferable that the Deputy Secretary of Veterans Homes is a medical doctor who holds a valid, unrevoked, and unsuspended license to practice medicine in this state, or is a professionally trained hospital administrator with (1) experience in managing a multihospital organization and (2) training or experience in the care of the elderly.

Proposed Law:

This bill establishes within the CalVet, and the Secretary must appoint, a Deputy Secretary of Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Affairs who shall have responsibility over the administration of minority and underrepresented veterans affairs.

Staff Comments: The CalVet has a number of deputy secretary positions, including the positions of Deputy Secretary of Women Veterans Affairs and Deputy Secretary of Veterans Homes. These are permanent positions that have been established in state statute. This bill would similarly codify the position of Deputy Secretary of Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Affairs. This position was created administratively and has been funded in the state budget for several years. The 2024-25 Budget Act includes approximately $150,000 in General Fund for the position and an additional $324,000 for five staff positions reporting to the deputy.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

Senator Bob Archuleta, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular

Bill No: AB 1994 Hearing Date: 6/24/24

Subject: Veterans: Department of Veterans Affairs

DESCRIPTION

Summary:

Adds the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) Deputy Secretary for Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Affairs to state statute.

Existing law:

1. Establishes the CalVet Secretary as the department’s Chief Executive Officer, and describe some of the Secretary’s main responsibilities. (Military and Veterans Code (MVC) Secs. 74 through 78.)
2. Establishes that there is a CalVet undersecretary. (MVC. Sec.79)
3. Creates within CalVet the position of Deputy Secretary of Women Veterans Affairs. (MVC Sec. 79.1)
4. Creates within CalVet the position Deputy Secretary of Veterans Homes (MVC Sec. 79.2)
5. States that it is preferable that the Deputy Secretary of Veterans Homes is a medical doctor who holds a valid, unrevoked, and unsuspended license to practice medicine in this state, or is a professionally trained hospital administrator with (1) experience in managing a multihospital organization and (2) training or experience in the care of the elderly. (MVC Sec. 79.2)
6. Federal law establishes within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) the Center for Minority Veterans, as well as the position of the center’s Director. (38 U.S. Code Sec. 317)

This bill:

Establishes that within CalVet there is, and the Secretary must appoint, a Deputy Secretary of Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Affairs, who shall have responsibility over the administration of minority and underrepresented veterans affairs.

BACKGROUND

The position of Deputy Secretary of Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Affairs was created administratively, and the Secretary lacked direct staff until the budget of 2019-2020, when the Assembly advocated for the addition of three positions within the department reporting to the deputy.

According to CalVet website:

California is a richly diverse state with an equally diverse veteran population. Of the 1.6 million veterans in California, 754,831 self-identify as an ethnic minority. While minority veterans comprise approximately 47% of the total California veteran population, as a group, they are less likely to access their veterans benefits than non-minority veterans.

​​​

The Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Division will ensure that all veterans have equal access to their earned benefits, regardless of race, ethnic origin, religion, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. ​​​​​​

COMMENT

There is increasing understanding and recognition that veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who come from minority groups or other underrepresented groups face structural inequalities that are not mitigated by their military service. In February, the VA released an “Equity Action Plan” to identify disparities in benefits access and usage by minority and underrepresented veterans. Among other disparities, black veterans tend to receive lower grant rates for mental health conditions, and are wildly overrepresented among homeless veterans.

Data also recognizes that minority veterans are less likely to receive benefits, and often live in areas where there are service gaps. Native American veterans, in particular, whose representation in the Armed Forces is about double their proportion of the general population, are less likely to receive benefits for which they were entitled, or could have established eligibility.

POSITIONS

Sponsor: Author.

Support: 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

Oppose: None on File

-- END --

Date of Hearing: April 17, 2024

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Buffy Wicks, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1994

Author:(Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs) – As Introduced Ver:January 30, 2024

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill establishes within the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) a Deputy Secretary of Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Affairs, appointed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, with responsibility over the administration of minority and underrepresented veterans affairs.

FISCAL EFFECT:

This bill codifies a deputy secretary position that was created administratively and has been funded in the state budget for several years. The 2024-25 Governor’s Budget proposes $149,964 (General Fund) to fund the Deputy Secretary for Minority Veterans Affairs and $323,702 to fund five staff positions reporting to the deputy. Codifying the deputy secretary position makes it permanent and takes away the discretion of the Governor and Legislature to fund the position.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. The author seeks to better address inequities facing minority and underrepresented veterans by codifying the position of Deputy Secretary of Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Affairs, a position created administratively within CalVet over a decade ago.
2. Background. According to the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee analyses:

There is increasing understanding and recognition that veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who come from minority groups or other underrepresented groups face structural inequalities that are not mitigated by their military service. Minority veterans are less likely to receive benefits, and often live in areas where there are service gaps. Native American veterans, in particular, whose representation in the Armed Forces is about double their proportion of the general population, are less likely to receive benefits that they were entitled to, or could have established eligibility for.

While CalVet has a number of deputy secretary positions, the positions of Deputy Secretary of Women Veterans Affairs (added in 1997) and Deputy Secretary of Veterans Homes (added in 1999) are established in state statute. This bill similarly codifies the position of Deputy Secretary of Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Affairs.

Analysis Prepared by: Jennifer Swenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 9, 2024

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

Pilar Schiavo, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1994 (

Author:Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs) – As Introduced Ver:January 30, 2024

SUBJECT: Veterans: Department of Veterans Affairs

SUMMARY: Adds the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) Deputy Secretary for Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Affairs to state statute. Specifically, this bill:

1. Establishes that within CalVet there is, and the Secretary must appoint, a Deputy Secretary of Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Affairs, who shall have responsibility over the administration of minority and underrepresented veterans affairs.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes the CalVet Secretary as the department’s Chief Executive Officer, and describe some of the Secretary’s main responsibilities. (Military and Veterans Code (MVC) Secs. 74 through 78.)
2. Establishes that there is a CalVet undersecretary. (MVC. Sec.79)
3. Creates within CalVet the position of Deputy Secretary of Women Veterans Affairs. (MVC Sec. 79.1)
4. Creates within CalVet the position Deputy Secretary of Veterans Homes (MVC Sec. 79.2)
5. States that it is preferable that the Deputy Secretary of Veterans Homes is a medical doctor who holds a valid, unrevoked, and unsuspended license to practice medicine in this state, or is a professionally trained hospital administrator with (1) experience in managing a multihospital organization and (2) training or experience in the care of the elderly. (MVC Sec. 79.2)
6. Defines the responsibility of the Deputy Secretary of Veterans Homes is to oversee and monitor all aspects of medical care that is being provided to men and women veterans who are residents in any California veterans home. (MVC Sec. 79.2)
7. Federal law establishes within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs the Center for Minority Veterans, as well as the position of the center’s Director. (38 U.S. Code Sec. 317)

FISCAL EFFECT: This bill has not been analyzed by a fiscal committee.

COMMENTS: There is increasing understanding and recognition that veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who come from minority groups or other underrepresented groups face structural inequalities that are not mitigated by their military service. Minority veterans are less likely to receive benefits, and often live in areas where there are service gaps. Native American veterans, in particular, whose representation in the Armed Forces is about double their proportion of the general population, are less likely to receive benefits that they were entitled to, or could have established eligibility for.

The position of Deputy Secretary of Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Affairs was created administratively, and the Secretary lacked direct staff until the budget of 2019-2020, when the Assembly advocated for the addition of three positions within the department reporting to the deputy.

Related legislation

AB 879 (Havice) Chapter 839, Statutes of 1999, removes the January 1, 2001 sunset provision on the position of the CalVet Deputy Secretary of Women Veterans Affairs.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

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

Opposition

None on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Christian Burkin / M. & V.A. / (916) 319-3550