Senate Standing Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs

Veterans and good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. We have nine bills on today's agenda. Before we hear a presentation in the bills, let's establish a quorum. Madam secretary?

[Roll Call]

Good. We can start this up. Yeah. We don't have a quorum, so we're gonna begin as a subcommittee. So first up, as I mentioned, we have nine bills, and we're gonna go ahead and start off. We don't have the quorum, so we're gonna come back to the consent. So let's go ahead with our first presenter, and his bill, Senator Toronto.

Welcome. And, you can present your bill, Senate bill eight eight eight, and, begin your presentation. Again, we are starting as a subcommittee.

Okay. Well, thank you, honorable Chair. And I'm here to present Senate bill 888. First, I'd like to thank the committee for working with my staff on this important bill. SB 888 addresses a critical flaw in the system that unfairly penalizes disabled veterans by counting their disability benefits as income when determining eligibility for the Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption.

In recent years, both California and the federal government have recognized that disability benefits are fundamentally different from earned income and have taken steps to exclude disability benefits from household income calculations.

In the 2024 session, the legislature and Congress acted to remove disability income from government housing eligibility calculations. As a result, veterans' disability benefits can unintentionally disqualify them from other critical resources, creating a catch 22 where veterans lose access to the very relief designed to keep them stable.

Senator, I'm gonna interrupt you so we can get a quorum. And then I believe Senator Grove may have to leave, but we'll go ahead and get that going. So Madam Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Madam Secretary has informed we do have a quorum. So Senator, please continue.

Thank you. Continuing on the disability income housing eligibility after that was SB 888 simply extends the same principle that we apply to housing to property tax relief for disabled veterans. The problem is clear. Veterans must be disabled to qualify for the exemption, yet the very disability compensation they receive is counted as income, pushing many over the income threshold and making them ineligible for the low income exemption.

As a result, veterans disability benefits can unintentionally disqualify them from other critical resources, creating a catch 22 where veterans lose access to the very relief designed to keep them stable. Disability compensation is not a source of wealth. It is a recognition of service connected injuries and loss of earning capacity.

Under current law, veterans with a household income under $81,131 qualify for a higher property tax exemption through the low income category of the Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption. And currently, a veteran rated at 100% disability by the VA with a spouse is awarded around 50,000 annually before any additional dependents or special allowances. Social Security benefits also contribute significantly.

And as a result, a 100% disabled veteran and spouse who have no earnings from work but solely rely on disability and Social Security may be disqualified from the low income exemption despite living on fixed benefits and paying for high medical care costs. This bill is a proactive step to keep 100% disabled veterans in their homes and reduce their risk of homelessness or housing instability by ensuring the tax code does not punish them for receiving disability compensation.

SB 888 simply excludes VA service connected disability compensation from the calculation of household income for purposes of the low income disabilities, Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption so veterans are not penalized for receiving the benefits they've earned. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Senator Seyarto. Any lead witnesses?

No. I did not bring any witnesses today.

Any other witnesses in support? Room 113, here in support?

Nicole Wordelman on behalf of the Orange County Board of Supervisors in support.

Thank you.

Nick Busse, founder of Veterans of California, in support.

Thank you.

David West, California Association of County Veterans Services Officers, in support.

Thank you.

Seth Reeb with Reeb Government Relations representing American Legion, CALMOAA, and the Vietnam Veterans of America, all in support.

Thank you.

JR Wilson, Legislative Director for Department of California Disabled American Veterans. And the Department of California DAV supports.

Thank you.

David Kuta, commander of the VFW for the State of California, and I'm strong in support.

Thank you. Now in the room do we have a lead witness in opposition? I see none. Anyone in Room 113 wish to testify in opposition? I see none. Members, comment? The bill's been moved. And with that, let's go ahead and call roll. Madam Secretary. Would you like to close? I'm so sorry.

Simply ask for an aye vote. Thank you.

I figured with all the support you had.

All those veterans out there.

And the move on the floor, there was no opposition. So I'm so sorry. Okay. Madam Secretary, call the roll. I am here. I'm sorry.

This bill is moved to pass to the Committee on Appropriations. [Roll Call]

Okay. The ayes have it. Thank you very much. Yeah. Bill will be on call. We're trying to get a couple of more people back. So now let's go ahead and move on to Senator Choi. Senator Choi, welcome. And I understand you have Senate Bill 1040. And Senator Choi, you're welcome to begin.

Thank you. Good afternoon, Mister chair and the committee members. I'm happy to present the SB 1040, which would establish a State Local Matching Program to help finance the maintenance and the repairs of Veterans' Cemeteries owned by the State of California or a County under Calvert oversight. Existing law authorizes the creation of Perpetual Maintenance Funds for these cemeteries. Donations and contributions may be deposited into maintenance funds, and the interest is used for ongoing repairs.

Federal VA grants fund the construction and the capital improvements, but do not cover perpetual maintenance. The Federal Government requires states to cover those costs after a site is opened. This leaves CalVet to rely on the general fund and the Ad Hoc donations as the state adds new cemeteries' maintenance obligations compound and create a long-term unfunded liability. No existing California law incentivizes local philanthropy or donations from private organizations to help grow these maintenance endowments.

As a result, perpetual care funding remains uneven and unsustainable, particularly for smaller, rural and newly established cemeteries.

Under 1040, the SB 1040 for every dollar deposited in a cemetery maintenance endowment by individuals, local governments, or private donors, the state would contribute $1 in matching fund up to $250,000 per cemetery per fiscal year. Calvet would administer the program using the annual application and the verification process. Calvet would certify that local deposits were made to the qualified maintenance and endowment and will transfer matching funds into the same account.

Testifying in support of SB 1040 is Seth Reeb representing the Collection of Veterans Groups that are in support of this bill. Mister Reeb?

Thank you, Senator. You may have your witness begin his testimony.

Good afternoon, Chair members. My name is Seth Reeb with Reeb Government Relations representing American Legion Department of California, AMVETS Department of California, the California State Commanders Veterans Council, the Military Officers Association of America, and the Vietnam Veterans of America. Together, we speak for hundreds of thousands of California veterans, and all five of our organizations are in strong support of SB 1040. Today, somewhere in California, a World War two veteran is being laid to rest. A Korean veteran is being placed next to his wife.

Young post 9/11 veteran's family is choosing a headstone. These cemeteries are not real estate. They're the last place California gets to honor someone who put on that uniform. And the families who visit them are watching us. They notice the grass.

They notice the markers, and they notice the condition of the grounds. When somebody enlists, we make a promise not just to bring them home, but to honor them when they are laid to rest. A combat infantry veteran as a combat infantry veteran, I take this promise personally. Right now, California keeps that promise on a wing and a prayer. The general fund, some years, donations the rest.

SB 1040 turns hope into a partnership. Every dollar a community gives, the state stands Behind it. Real endowment, stable maintenance. For the veterans, we are bearing today and for the ones still serving who will rest here someday. On behalf of the veterans we represent, I respectfully ask for an aye vote on SB 1040 and thank you for your time.

Thank you, and welcome home. Thank you for your service. And now any other witnesses in Room 113 in support of Senate bill1040?

Nicole Wordelman on behalf of the Orange County Board of Supervisors in support.

Thank you.

Jack Werson from Nossman on behalf of the County of Monterey in support.

Thank you.

David West, California Association of County Veterans Services Officers in support.

Thank you.

JR Wilson, Department of California Disabled American Veterans support.

Thank you. Are there any other witnesses in support? If not, any witnesses in opposition? If not, Senator, you can close.

Thank you. I strongly encourage, on aye vote on SB 1040 so we can ensure that veterans who put their lives on the line in service to our nation get the dignified burial that they deserve. Thank you.

And before you go, let's get some comments from anyone.

I just wanna thank the author for this bill. There's a piece of property in US Veterans Administration hands in my district. They're considering turning that into a selling it and turning into a resort. My preference would be to see that become a veteran's cemetery, and I appreciate this.

It might require state help. So I appreciate what this bill does, and I hope we can move forward with that process here and in my district.

Thank you.

Any other comments? Move the bill. Move the bill. We've got a motion to move the bill. And Senator Choi, any other comment on your closing?

I think it's exactly the phenomenon that is developing. That is due to the lack of interest funds. So, you aye vote will help.

Thank you. Let's go ahead, Madam chair. Call for the votes.

Do pass this bill to the committee on appropriations. Senator Archuleta?

Aye.

Senator Archuleta, aye. Senator Grove?

Senator Grove, aye. Senator McNerney?

Aye.

Aye.

Senator McNerney, aye. Senator Menjivar? Senator Umberg?

Okay. We're gonna hold that bill on call.

Thank you, members.

Alright. Thank you. Now I'm gonna go down and let me hand that over and I've got-

We're gonna take the Chair's bill out of order. File item number 6- I apologize. File item 9, Personal income Tax Law Exclusive Military

Go ahead Sir, when you're ready.

Go ahead, sir, when you're ready.

Thank you, madam chair, and thank you, members. I would like to present Senate Bill 1407. Veterans like all Californians are struggling with a high cost of living. Veterans who want to live in this wonderful state, beautiful state of California, but they are feeling the squeeze of current economic conditions, which is why as Chair of the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, I partnered with State Treasurer Fiona Ma and my counterpart, in the assembly, Assemblymember Shiavo, to introduce Senate Bill 1407.

I've also confirmed Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez, who is also supporting our veterans bill and is coauthor of Senate Bill 1407. Senate Bill 1407 is an opportunity to serve those who have served our country. It is a message to our California veterans that we have their backs. We have not forgotten. It will exempt a veteran's military retirement pay, as well as a surviving spouse's benefit payment, from state taxes.

Between 2010 and 2022, California lost over 24,000 military retirees. As retention challenges grow, we must recognize that physical policy plays a role in our long-term decisions. Keeping veterans in California is a must priority. As of 01/31/2023, about 127,793 military varieties in California received total monthly payments of over $362,000,000 or about 4—4.3 billion—annually from the United States Department of Defense. About 25,705 survivors in California received total monthly payment of just over $39,000,000 or about $468,000,000 annually.

That is money that would otherwise enter our local economies, fund businesses, create jobs, generate sales tax, but most importantly, support our economy. California current tax structure discourages long term service and drives away mid-career leaders, weakening our state's ability to meet homeland defense, wildfires, disaster response, and civil support missions.

Annually, please, and I may have say this, additionally, over a 100—I'm sorry, 810,000 national security jobs depend on our ability to attract and keep highly skilled military retirees, many of whom embark on second civilian careers in their nearly 40th—because remember, when they retire, they're in their mid 40s, generating new state and local tax revenues. Through a second, through a second careers—through a second career, retiree's household income can contribute $50,000 to $100,000 taxable income annually, aside from their federal retirement.

This bill is a culmination of countless veterans and families telling us it's just not enough. This isn't about revenue loss to the state; it's about how we can make veterans and families understand that we have not given up. We will continue to support as often as we can, and this bill is just what we need. This bill keeps revenues in California.

It keeps industries and their workforce in California. It keeps jobs in California. This exemption keeps veterans in California. And with me today, Tom Yaskanino, to also testify on behalf of this bill.

Thank you. The lead witness in support, please continue.

Thank you, Senator. Thank you, madam chair and members of the committee. My name is Tom D'Agostino with Aaron Reed and Associates representing the San Diego Military Advisory Council, cosponsor of the bill, as well as the VFW and the Veterans Foundation. We really thank the Senator. I'm very grateful for his leadership in this matter, which has been a topic of discussion for almost ten years.

We are now one of only 12 states that don't provide a full tax exemption to retired military personnel. California has always been a leader in all types of topics and arenas in our economy, our culture, our environment. We hope that the committees and the leadership here will provide the same enthusiastic advancement of California as a leader in the country and catch up with those other 38 states.

There are some states actually advertising and boasting that they don't tax and that those veterans should come to their states, such as Georgia, Carolina, even Virginia. Where we're declining in our population, they are rapidly increasing. So, we need to come to meet that challenge and hopefully catch up and—but go back to number one as we've always been as a state.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Thank you, sir. Any other witnesses in support?

Afternoon, madam chair, madam vice chair, members. Karen Lange, on behalf of the Shasta County Board of Supervisors, in support. Thank you.

Nick Bussey, Founder of Veterans California, and we support this bill and ask for an aye vote. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator Archuleta, madam chair, members. Don Wilcox with the California Conference of Carpenters. We have thousands of members that have transitioned from military service to join our union skilled labor that's really important for us. We really appreciate the efforts on the bill. Thank you.

Good afternoon, chair, members. Thank you, Senator, for running this bill. Seth Reeb with Reeb Government Relations, representing American Legion, AMVETS, the California State Commander's Veterans Council, Military Officers Association of America, and the Vietnam Veterans of America, all in strong support.

Thank you, Senator. JR Wilson. Department of California, Disabled American Veterans, and our 72,000 life members across the state are in full support.

Thank you.

Name's David Cuda. I'm a retired army sir—senior—noncommissioned officer, and I'm highly in favor of this. I had to make a decision whether I wanna stay here, and this is one of the bills that actually affects me and my co-members. Thank you.

David West, California Association of County Veterans Services Officers, and we support this bill.

Thank you. Any lead witnesses in opposition? Seeing none. Any witnesses that wanna testify in opposition for Me Too's? Seeing none. I'll bring it back to the dais. Thank you.

Senator McNerney moves the bill. I just have one comment before I let you close, sir. I know of at least three bills that have gone through since I've been here. They all die in Appropriation over the last ten years that's happened. And I know there's 38 states that already offered this to our veterans, and I hope that this gets out of Appropriations finally this year, into the Governor's desk for signature.

So, thank you for trying again. I appreciate it. You may close.

Thank you, madam chair. I'd like to just point out that this bill, Senate Bill 1407, is a bipartisan bill, a bill that says we're gonna recognize our veterans. We're gonna honor those who served our country twenty, thirty years, and even longer. But more importantly, it's the workforce development bill. It is one where we will keep our veterans in California.

You heard the technical skills are still needed as we evolve, as a new AI, whatever it might be. We need experience. We need men and women who know discipline, and they know how to report to work on time and get the job done. And I will tell you this, with Fiona Ma as a coauthor and with the support we've gotten, I think this time just might be the right time. And so, with that, I ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, sir. Madam secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

That has four votes, sir. I believe we're gonna hold the roll open for Senator Menjivar.

Okay. Let's go on to our next bill, which is Jerry McNerney. And I understand you're presenting your bill 12, what is that? Where do we have it?

1034.

1034.

Okay. For the record, we're talking about Senate Bill 1034, Jerry McNerney. Go ahead and present your bill.

Good afternoon, Chair Archuleta, Vice Chair Grove, distinguished Members of the Committee. I'm here to present SB 1034. I wanna thank the committee staff for your hard work in helping us perfect this bill. I have taken amendments to simplify the bill, making it easier for county service officers to process the necessary documents. SB 1034 is a common sense bill.

Right now, it's more difficult for disabled veterans to get parking placards than civilians who are disabled. Because of this, eligible veterans won't apply for benefits that they've earned. This aligns state, this bill aligns state law with existing rules for civilians.

It ensures that veterans aren't excluded just because they, just because the condition isn't labeled service connected if they are already rated at 100% permanent and total disability. For veterans on fixed incomes, these parking benefits provide important cost savings and independence.

Reliable access to a car is essential, especially for those who struggle with public transit due to post traumatic stress. This bill removes barriers so disabled veterans can access care and maintain their quality of life. With me today to testify is JR Wilson, Legislative Branch Director for the Department of California Disabled Veterans, and Hector Soto, a veterans advocate. Mr. Wilson, you have the floor.

Go ahead. Would you move that microphone over? Thank you. Please go ahead and present your testimony.

Thank you, Honorable Chair and Members of the Committee. My name is JR Wilson and I serve as the Legislative Director for the Department of California Disabled American Veterans. I've also had the honor of serving veterans at the national level with the Disabled American Veterans since 1997, including work as a national service officer or national service office supervisor, assisting veterans with their families and their families in navigating benefits and claims.

On behalf of our 72,000 DAV life members in California, I'm here today in strong support of SB 1034. This bill is about recognizing the difference between rated, being rated a 100% disabled and being rated both permanent and total. California has approximately 83,000 veterans rated at a 100% disabled through the Department of, or the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Of those, only about 53,000 have been determined to be permanent and total, and that distinction matters. Permanent means the condition will not improve and there are no future examination scheduled. Total means the veteran is disabled at the 100% level and compensated at the maximum VA rate. But it also reflects something more.

A veteran rated permanent and total is often given everything in service to this nation, including lifelong disabilities that remain long after the uniform comes off. This bill recognizes those lifelong disabilities. Together, permanent and total represent a final and lifelong federal determination of severe disability.

It is also important to understand who this bill impacts. Of those approximately 53,000 veterans rated permanent and total, many already have a service connected mobility issue and already qualify under existing standards.

SB 1034 addresses a smaller subset of veterans who are already permanent and total, but who later develop a mobility limitation after service after service that meets the California's current disabled person placard requirements.

There are veterans whose service connected disabilities are already permanent and total. Excuse me. SB 1034 addresses a gap of that determination and recognized at a state level. Veterans who are permanent and total must still meet California's requirements for a disabled placard.

That does not change. They must still meet medical eligibility standards and be verified by a licensed physician. This bill preserves that safeguard. That what this bill does is simple.

It ensures that once a veteran has a physician verified disability under California law and a federal designation of being both permanent and total, that there are not required they are not required to navigate additional duplicate barriers beyond that point. Let me briefly illustrate.

Maria is a veteran rated 100% permanent and total due to military sexual trauma. She lives with mobility limitations and severe service connected mental health conditions. Because of those conditions, public transportation or even taxis can be a major hurdle, often triggering anxiety and making those options unreliable. She relies on her own vehicle to attend VA medical appointments and maintain treatment.

She has already been evaluated by the VA, and she's already been verified by a California physician. Yet she still faces additional barriers. This bill fixes that. It does not create a broad new eligibility. It does not lower standards. It simply addresses a narrow population, removes duplication, and recognize the determinations that have already been made.

For many permanent and totally disabled veterans, a personally owned vehicle is not a luxury. It is essential to maintaining care, stability, independence, and dignity. Reducing unnecessary barriers to that mobility matters.

SB 1034 is targeted common sense reform. It aligns state and federal system, reduces bureaucracy, and ensures fairness for some of our most severely disabled veterans. On behalf of the Department of California Disabled American Veterans, we respectfully ask for your aye vote on SB 1034. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Thank you. And your next witness, Senator?

Chair and Members, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Hector Soto, and I am here in support of SB 1034. As a disabled veteran, I have also spent time advocating for fellow veterans and helping them navigate the Veterans Benefit Administration, the Department of Veteran Affairs, and CalVet.

Through that work, I have seen firsthand how California's current law creates confusion, inconsistency, and unfair barriers for disabled veterans seeking parking benefits they rightfully deserve. SB 1034 is important because it helps bring fairness and clarity to the law.

Right now, disabled veterans can face stricter eligibility requirements than other disabled Californians when trying to access parking related benefits. This creates an unnecessary benefit barrier for veterans who already live with serious mobility challenges. This bill helps correct that by aligning the rules for disabled veterans more closely with the standards already used for other disabled individuals.

It provides clear descriptions of qualifying mobility limitations, makes a lot easier to understand, and helps ensure that veterans with legitimate disabilities are not left out simply because the current statute is too narrow or too vague.

SB 1034 matters because it recognizes the real life challenges disabled veterans face. For many veterans, access to parking benefits is not a minor inconvenience and can affect their ability to attend medical appointments and do their day to day activities. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you. Are there any more witnesses in the room in support of Senate Bill 1034? Please come up.

Chair and Members. My name is Seth Reeb with Reeb Government Relations, representing American Legion, AMVETS, CALMOAA, the California State Commander's Veterans Council, and the Vietnam Veterans of America, all in support. Thank you.

Thank you.

Nick Busse representing Veterans of California. And by the way, you are right. A lot of people don't realize they're eligible for these things. Also, it's a hard time to even get it done and complete. So thank you for this and explain that eligibility. Definitely helps and ask for an aye vote.

Good afternoon. Yolanda Benson representing the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers. We're kind of a tweener, but we're definitely moving towards support. And we just wanna thank the author's office. We wanna thank your consultant and the staff, and we are moving towards support. And we are very appreciative. Thank you.

Thank you. Is there anyone in the Room 113 in opposition of the bill 1034? I see none. And Members, any question or comment? Motion to move the bill. Okay. And Senator McNerney, would you like to go ahead and close? You can slide that mic over. There you go.

Well, again, I thank the committee. SB 1013 is about recognizing the full picture of disability and honoring the sacrifice of those who served. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

And I'm so honored that you're presenting this bill, never forgetting our disabled veterans. And we have a motion, and let's go ahead and call roll.

This bill is do pass to the Committee on Appropriations. [Roll Call]

Alright. And the bill will be on call. Okay. And let's go ahead and go to the next one. Here we are.

Yeah. Senator McNerney, once again, I understand you're presenting Senate Bill 1201. Whenever you're ready, please begin.

Well, thank you. Good afternoon, Chair Archuleta and distinguished members of the committee. I'm here to present SB 1201, the No Hungry Heroes Act. I wanna thank committee staff for their work in preparing this bill, making it more perfect. HR 1 enacted a large and harmful cut to food assistance.

These federal cuts specifically targeted vulnerable veterans, veterans who are currently homeless, veterans raising children, veterans awaiting disability determination from the Veterans Administration. Veterans rely on CalFresh to feed their families and often face higher poverty and lower employment because of health challenges like post-traumatic stress or brain injuries. SB 1201 helps protect veterans from these cuts by directing the state to request federal waivers to exclude job search costs from income.

So in other words, if you're out there as a veteran trying to get a job, you gotta spend money to do that, they're gonna take that away from your income in calculating your eligibility for CalFresh. And it also eases work requirements for vulnerable veterans.

SB 1201 ensures that every veteran who applies for benefits is connected to a County Service Veteran Officer, a County Veteran Service Officer. So I just permuted those two words. With me here today testify is David West on behalf of the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers and Gabby Davidson on behalf of the California Association of Food Banks. With the chair's permission, I would recognize David West.

Mister West, go right ahead.

Thank you, Senator. Good afternoon, Chair and Members of the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of Senate Bill 1201, the No Hunger Heroes Act. My name is David West, and I'm representing the California Association of County Veterans Services Officers, and I also serve as the Nevada County Veterans Service Officer.

Across California, County Veteran Services Officers work on the front lines with veterans and their families every day. We see firsthand the challenges many face as they transition from military to civilian life, especially when it comes to stable employment and access to basic new needs like food. Recent federal changes to SNAP, known as CalFresh here in California, have imposed strict work requirements and time limits do not reflect the realities veterans face.

These rules now apply to even veterans who are newly discharged, experiencing homelessness, awaiting disability determinations or raising children. As a result, many are at risk of going hungry.

Senate Bill 1201 provides a thoughtful and targeted solution. It directs the state to seek federal waivers to protect these vulnerable veterans, ensure the job search costs are not counted against them, and critically requires direct referrals to county veteran services officers when veterans apply for benefits. That connection is essential. Veteran services are often spread across multiple systems, making them difficult to navigate. CVSO helped bridge that gap, providing culturally competent accredited assistant that connects veterans to the full range of benefits they have earned.

Importantly, at the local level, most CVSO's are structurally housed within county departments of social services. And even in counties where they are not, they maintain strong direct collaborative relationships with those departments. This means SB 121 builds on an existing infrastructure. It strengthens coordination rather than creating something new. Simply put, this bill meets veterans where they are, removes unnecessary barriers, and ensure that those who served our country do not go without food while working to rebuild their civilian lives.

We respectfully ask for your aye of vote on SB 1201. Thank you for your consideration.

You may present your next witness.

Thank you. Hi, Chair and Members. Gabby Davidson with the California Association of Food Banks. Last year, on July 4, Congress passed HR 1, which includes the largest cuts to SNAP, known as CalFresh in California, in the program's history. It cannot be overstated how important the CalFresh program is.

Over 5,000,000 Californians rely on food benefits, and food banks cannot make up the difference. For every meal our volunteers provide, SNAP provides nine. These federal cuts impact people that are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity, including abuse and trafficking survivors, families with children, former foster youth, and veterans. HR 1 added a three month time limit on veterans, which requires them to report twenty hours of work per week or lose benefits after just three months.

These requirements apply even if a veteran has children in their home and there are no exemptions if the veteran is unhoused, has a less than a 100% disability diagnosis, or is recently discharged.

In California, an estimated 115,000 veteran families rely on the vital CalFresh food benefits. And recognizing the unique challenges a veterans faced after service, SB 1201 does three things. One, it requests a federal waiver to exempt veterans from the CalFresh time limits if they are homeless, newly discharged, awaiting a disability determination, or if they have children. Two, it requires counties to give veterans who apply for benefits a direct referral to County Veteran Service Officers who are best prepared to serve Americans who have served.

And three, it ensures that the money veterans spend on job searching does not count against them being able to receive food assistance.

Taking away food never helps anyone find a job, keep a job, or get more hours at a job. And making veterans hungry will never make us a better country. The California Association of Food Banks has asked Congress to repeal HR 1 food cuts to veterans and their families, and you should too. Until they do, the least that we can do is make sure we are doing all we can in California to protect veterans most at risk of going hungry.

For these reasons, we are proud to support SB 1201, and we urge your aye vote. Thank you.

Thank you. Are there any other witnesses in the room in support of this bill? And, please come up the microphone and express your support on 1201, please.

Mister Chair and members, Tiffany Whiten with SEIU California and strong support. Thank you so much.

J. R. Wilson, Department of California Disabled American Veterans, support.

Thank you. Anyone else in support of the bill? If not, let's go to the opposition. Anyone in the room in opposition of Senate Bill 1201? I see none.

Okay. Question or comments?

Who's it all?

Bill? Okay. Senator McNerney, would you like to close?

Well, I guess I would, just to say, little cuts have been harmful.

Can you move that microphone over to him, please? There you go.

Federal cuts have been harmful specific to veterans, and SB 1201 gives California a chance to protect our heroes from hunger. I ask for an aye vote.

Senator, thank you for bringing this bill forward. It's a very, very important bill. So many of our veterans that are struggling, this will make a difference. And I thank you once again for bringing it. So we have a motion, and please call the roll, madam secretary.

This bill is do passed to the Committee on Appropriations. Senator Archuleta?

Senator Archuleta, aye. Senator Grove?

Aye.

Senator McNerney?

Aye.

Senator McNerney, aye. Senator Menjivar? Senator Umberg?

Aye.

Senator Umberg, aye.

Hey. This bill will be on call. Okay. Thank you, Senator. We appreciate your time and effort.

Senator Umberg, may I give you the gavel? While I present my bill, where'd it go? There you go.

There you go. Last deal, Sir. Alright. Do you need a do you need a script or you're good?

You're good. Alright.

Okay. Thank you, Mister chair. And members, thank you. I'm going to present Senate Bill 1354, and I really appreciate your time and effort you've put in for us today on behalf of veterans. Senate bill 1354, which would prohibit military personnel not operating under Title 10 from another state, territory, or district to enter California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the express permission of our Governor here in the state of California.

The bill's clear prohibition on out of state, unapproved military activity reinforces the Governor's Constitutional Authority as Commander in Chief of here in the State of California and the State Militia. It ensures California retains control over any armed or law enforcement operation conducted within its borders. Unfortunately, California is well aware of what it's like to have a National Guard activated in our state without the express permission from the Governor, our Governor here in the state of California.

Californians should not Californians should not live in fear of an unwarranted, unwanted military involvement from any other state. I want to clarify that this bill does not affect the Activation of the Guard under Title 10.

This legislation would not impact current mutual aid agreements, such as the Emergency Management Assistant Compact, or prohibit outside military personnel from attending schools and training here in California when they are assigned. At least seven other states have passed similar legislation that prohibits outside forces from entering into their states, including Maryland, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Idaho, North Carolina, and Washington. Oregon currently has legislation pending that includes similar prohibitions. This measure helps prevent the misuse of military power.

With me today is Rebecca Marcus on behalf of the California Public Defenders Association and I would like to have her present her testimony. Mister chair.

Good afternoon. Good afternoon, Chair and Members. Rebecca Marcus, on behalf of the California Public Defender's Association, we are proud to support SB 1354, which sends a clear message to the governors of other states who might be tempted to send their state National Guard units to California without the express request or permission of the Governors. SB 1354 would make it a crime for military personnel from another state, territory, or district to enter California without the express permission of the Governor.

Californians are grateful for the assistance that the Nevada and Wyoming National Guard provided in multiple air and and ground firefighting efforts as wildfires raged across the Los Angeles Basin in Southern California in January 2025.

Although it's unclear if any other states' national guards were mobilized and arrived in LA in June 2025, a number of states volunteered their National Guard to assist with immigration enforcement in other states and Washington DC. Responding to requests from our President, Republican Governors from nine states have agreed to activate their guard troops under title 32 for deployment in DC. Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Tennessee.

As public defenders, we have long witnessed how unauthorized and and overly aggressive law enforcement actions, particularly those involving militarized tactics and racial profiling, inflict deep and lasting harm on our clients and communities.

This bill is a critical safeguard affirming that California will not tolerate unlawful or uncoordinated incursions by outside state or federal forces that threaten our residents' constitutional rights, safety, and peace of mind. This bill's clear prohibition on out of state unapproved military activity reinforces the governor's constitutional authority as Commander in Chief of the State Militia, and ensures California retains control over any armed or law enforcement operations conducted within its borders. Respectfully, we ask for your yes vote on this bill. Thank you.

Yes, any other witness in support? please approach the microphone, anyone else? Seeing none approaching the microphone. Let's turn to the opposition, if you oppose SB 1354, approach the microphone, seeing no one approaching the microphone. Back to the Committee, any question?

Let me just ask whether this has been tested in any of the courts in the United States? I'm going to support the bill, but just curious.

I understand that the AG, the Governor, feels very strong that they have the constitutional right to have this bill on the record, and they will go ahead and do whatever is necessary to join the other states that have similar laws.

No. It's not the test.

Not yet.

Okay. Thank you very much. Any questions or comments? seeing no other questions or comments. Let's move the bill, alright. Madam Secretary please call the roll?

Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Archuleta, would you like to close?

Thank you, Mister chair. Once again, this bill is supported by the Governor, the AG, and our military that is looking forward to always supporting California. And we will always support those who need help. And remember, California is ready to be the first to go on national emergencies when we're called upon in emergencies, but it must be done in an authorized manner, and this is what this bill is all about, and I urge an aye vote.

Right. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.

This bill is do passed to the Committee on Public Safety. Senator Archuleta?

Aye.

Senator Archuleta, aye. Senator Grove. Senator McNerney?

Senator McNerney, aye. Senator Menjivar?

Senator Umberg?

Senator Umberg, aye.

Aye.

Alright. Back over to you.

Senator Archuleta. Here you go. Oh, there you go. Thank you so much. We'll go back to the consent calendar. Can I have a motion?

[Roll Call]

So we still have a couple of members that are out, and we'll wait for them for just a bit, and we'll call the roll once again. So the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs will take a ten minute recess until we have our Senator Grove back, and we'll go ahead and continue with the roll. Thank you. The meeting on military and veterans committee will come back to order, and we've got a few items that we're gonna take care of. So let's go ahead and start with item number five, Senate bill 1034.

[Roll Call]

Senator Grove, thank you for coming back. And all the senators today, thank you all. And to our veterans who attended the meetings, thank you for your support. And please understand this, we will never forget your service. And welcome home, and God bless you all. Okay. That'll you need to adjourn.