Veterans

Existing federal law provides for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) , known in California as CalFresh, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county. Existing federal law establishes eligibility requirements, including specified income eligibility standards, for receipt of CalFresh benefits. This bill would require the State Department of Social Services, on or before April 1, 2027, to submit a request to the United States Department of Agriculture for a waiver to exclude the costs incurred by a veteran associated with the veteran's job search from countable income in the determination of eligibility and benefit level for receiving CalFresh benefits and to exempt specified veterans from the time limit and associated work requirements. The bill would require the waivers to be implemented within 6 months from their approval. To the extent the bill would expand the duties of counties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law authorizes counties to participate in the CalFresh Employment and Training (CalFresh E&T) program, established by federal law, to provide work experience or training and job search training to CalFresh recipients. Existing law requires, in a county that elects to participate in the program, that a veteran applying for CalFresh benefits who is required to register to work, but who is exempt from mandatory placement in the CalFresh E&T program, be provided with specified referrals to veterans' assistance and job training agencies if those agencies are known to the county. This bill would require a county to provide those referrals to veterans' assistance and job training agencies whether or not the veteran applying for CalFresh benefits is exempt from mandatory placement in the CalFresh E&T program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Existing law establishes uniform residency requirements for purposes of ascertaining the amount of tuition and fees to be paid by students of public postsecondary educational institutions. Existing law requires a student classified as a nonresident to pay nonresident tuition, in addition to other fees required by the institution, except as provided. Existing law exempts a student enrolled at a campus of the California Community Colleges or the California State University from paying nonresident tuition or any other fee that exclusively applies to nonresident students if the student resides in California, meets the definition of "covered individual" under federal law, and is eligible for education benefits under 4 specified federal GI Bill programs, as the federal law read on January 5, 2022. This bill would add, for purposes of that exemption, the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve program to the list of federal GI Bill programs and specify that federal law as it read on January 5, 2026, applies. To the extent that the bill would impose new duties on community college districts to determine eligibility for an exemption from paying nonresident tuition or fees, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Existing law regulates the voting procedures for military or overseas voters to register to vote, to apply for voting ballots, and to vote. Existing law requires, among other things, unvoted voting materials to be electronically transmitted to a military or overseas voter. This bill would require the Secretary of State to promulgate regulations to facilitate the secure return of ballots from military or overseas voters delivered through secure methods.

Existing law requires the Department of Veterans Affairs, in voluntary cooperation with specified local entities, to design, develop, and construct a state-owned and state-operated Northern and Southern California Veterans Cemetery and California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery. Existing law requires the department to oversee and coordinate the design, development, and construction of these cemeteries. Existing law requires the department to adopt regulations to specify the eligibility requirements for interment in one of these cemeteries. This bill would require the department to establish and administer a state and local matching funds program for veterans cemetery maintenance funds by requiring that for $1 contributed locally by individuals, veterans' service organizations, local governments, or private donors, the state would contribute $1 in matching funds, up to $250,000 per veterans cemetery per fiscal year. The bill would require a veterans cemetery to apply to the department to be part of the program, and would require the department to, among other things, review the applications annually. The bill would establish the Veterans Cemetery Maintenance-Endowment Account in the General Fund that would be administered by the department. The bill would require moneys in the account to be allocated, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the department for distribution to a veterans cemetery. The bill would require the department to provide to the Legislature a report summarizing all participating veterans cemeteries, total state matches, and fund performance.

This bill designates August 7, 2026, as Purple Heart Day within the state of California. It directly affects state agencies and the general public by establishing an official date to honor military personnel who have received the Purple Heart medal. The measure requires no new funding or changes to existing laws, serving instead as a formal recognition of service and sacrifice.

Senate Resolution 78 declares February 19, 2026, as a Day of Remembrance in California to honor the history of Japanese American incarceration during World War II. This resolution commemorates the signing of Executive Order 9066, which led to the forced removal of over 125,000 people of Japanese ancestry, while also recognizing the bravery and service of Japanese American veterans who fought for the country despite their own imprisonment. The text highlights the historical context of the internment, including the later admission by the U.S. government that the policy was based on racial prejudice rather than military necessity, and notes previous state and federal apologies for these injustices. By establishing this specific date for public awareness, the Senate aims to educate the community about these past events and their significance.

This bill designates May 4, 2026, as Green Star Veterans and Families Day. The measure directly affects veterans and their families by establishing a specific date for recognition. It does not create new laws, programs, or funding, but simply sets aside the day for commemoration. The text is a formal resolution that requires no further action to be effective.

This measure would designate a specified portion of State Route 91 in the County of Orange as the Deputy David Piquette Memorial Highway. The measure would request that the Department of Transportation determine the cost of appropriate signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources sufficient to cover the cost, to erect those signs.

Existing law authorizes each county board of supervisors to appoint a county veterans service officer, and permits the county to provide the officer with any assistance and facilities that it determines to be necessary. 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 counties that comply with certain conditions. This bill would, upon appropriation by the Legislature, provide a stipend to counties that host an active United States military base for the purposes of maintaining a county veterans service officer, at least part time, at each active United States military base in the county, subject to base approval.

Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, the California State University, and the University of California as the 3 segments of public institutions of higher education in the state. Existing law requires the California State University and each community college district, and requests the University of California, to grant priority registration for enrollment to a member or former member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is a resident of California and who has received an honorable discharge, a general discharge, or an other than honorable discharge, and to any member or former member of the State Guard, as specified, for any academic term attended at one of these institutions for 4 academic years after leaving state or federal active duty for use within 15 years of leaving state or federal active duty. This bill would, commencing July 1, 2027, remove the above-described provision limiting priority registration to 4 academic years after leaving state or federal active duty for use within 15 years of leaving state or federal active duty. To the extent the bill would add additional duties on community college districts, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.