Golden State Today

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a series of bills aimed at providing enhanced support to veterans and their families in California. The legislation focuses on various aspects, including housing, education, and tax relief.

“Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, and it is our duty to do what we can to support them in return. I am proud to sign into law legislation that will honor their service, improve their lives in California, and ensure that their families have what they need to thrive,” said Governor Newsom.

The new laws include provisions that allow counties to refund improperly paid property taxes to disabled veterans and their surviving spouses without requiring them to file a claim for a refund. They also aim to reduce the burden on military-connected pupils and their families by publicly recognizing specific public schools as California Purple Star schools. Additionally, the legislation simplifies income screenings, enabling more veterans to qualify for affordable housing.

The newly signed bills are:

- AB 535 by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) – Veterans’ aid and welfare: housing.

- AB 1884 by Assemblymember Christopher Ward (D-San Diego) – Pupil attendance: excused absences: uniformed services deployments.

- AB 2555 by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-La Palma) – Sales and use tax: exemption: medicinal cannabis: donations.

- AB 2567 by Assemblymember Devon Mathis (R-Visalia) – Public postsecondary education: student housing: data collection: veterans.

- AB 3134 by Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R-Brea) – Property taxation: refunds.

- SB 920 by Senator Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) – California Purple Star School Designation Program.

- SB 1025 by Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) – Pretrial diversion for veterans.

- SB 1138 by Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) – Pupil attendance: excused absences: military entrance processing.

In addition to this legislative package, Governor Newsom recently announced the release of new program guidance for up to $2.2 billion in funding through Proposition 1. This funding is intended for building permanent supportive housing for veterans and other individuals with mental health or substance use disorder challenges who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The program, known as Homekey+, will focus on acquiring and rehabilitating existing buildings or other project types that can be quickly converted into permanent affordable housing.