June 22, 2026 · Mil Vets · 7,044 words · 15 speakers · 78 segments
Ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs. This date, June 22nd, and I thank you for your patience. Obviously, we overlap with the Senate hearing and some of the other committee meetings, and I'm glad you're still here. Thank you. So we'll go ahead and begin in the next 60 seconds. Thank you. Thank you. The military and veterans affairs will come to order and once again good afternoon. We have eight bills on today's agenda. Before we hear the presentation of the bills we'll establish a quorum, but obviously we don't have one. So Madam Secretary, go ahead and call the roll so we can establish our subcommittee.
Senator Archuleta.
Here. Senator Archuleta here.
Senator Grove.
Senator McNerney. Here. Senator McNerney here.
Senator Mindovar. Senator Umbert. Okay, we'll be starting as officially starting as a subcommittee. And as I mentioned, we have four bills, eight bills and four on consent.
Madam Secretary, please call the roll for the consent calendar.
And again, we can't vote on that because we don't have the consent. So we'll come back to that one later. So let's go ahead and hear with our first author, Assemblymember Ward.
Please come up front as you present your bill, Assembly Bill 1775. Thank you, Mr. Chair and Senator. Here to present AB 1775, which will ensure that California steps up to support veterans who are harmed by discriminatory federal policy. You might recall on January 27, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14183, creating policy even worse than Don't Ask, Don't Tell, by forcing transgender service members out of the military, not because of misconduct or performance, but simply because of who they are. Now, there is no credible evidence that transgender service members undermine readiness, cohesion, or effectiveness. They have served honorably across every branch of the armed forces and have met the same standards as their peers. The separation process under this order has been described by service members as chaotic and destabilizing, with inconsistent guidance, administrative backlogs, and in some cases as little as 24 hours' notice before pay and benefits are cut off. California is now absorbing the consequences of this federal action. Many impacted service members already live here or are returning home with significant concentrations in the communities across the state, including my home community of San Diego. Without state intervention, these veterans face real risks of unemployment, housing instability, and long-term economic hardship. AB 1775 ensures that California steps up when the federal government fails our service members. First, this bill prioritizes veterans who experience trauma or discrimination for assistance under the existing Veterans Military Discharge Upgrade Grant Program, helping them access discharge upgrades when needed. Second, it funds service providers that offer no-cost housing support to veterans facing sudden income and employment loss due to abrupt or delayed separations. And third, AB 1775 expands eligibility for expedited state professional licensing to include veterans discharged solely because of Executive Order 14183, helping them transition into civilian careers without any unnecessary bureaucratic delay. While California cannot control any federal executive actions, of course, we can reinforce our commitment that those who serve our country are not pushed into unemployment, housing instability, or long-term economic hardship because of discriminatory federal policy. At its core, AB 1775 is about dignity, fairness, and stability. When service members raise their right hand to defend our country, California must ensure that we do not abandon them when federal policy turns its back on them. With me to speak in support of AB 1775 are Sonny Kim with the Transgender Military Hub, one of our co-sponsors, and retired U.S. Major Veronica Zarek.
Please bring your witnesses forward, and they're welcome to take a seat. And before they start, Assemblymember Ward, you couldn't pick a better time to present this bill. Obviously in the Senate, we're just honoring Pride Month, and we're so proud of that, and we were able to honor the major here on the Senate floor a few minutes ago. So it's a great time to talk about 14183 and what it all means to all of us. So please, if you'd like to begin, Sunny, Kim, you can be first up.
Good afternoon, Chair and committee members. My name is Sergeant First Class Sunny Kim. I am an E7 in the United States Army. My father served as a combat medic during Desert Storm. My grandfather served in the Republic of Korea Army. I joined during the Global War on Terrorism when I was 17, and I have served honorably and faithfully since. I was in the top 10% of my basic training class. I was the honor graduate in my advanced individual training as an air traffic controller, and also in the top 10% of my advanced leadership course. I've served my country across three continents, forged partnerships with foreign allies, trained and led the soldiers placed in my care, and been entrusted with the responsibility of coaching soldiers from across the Army through one of the most realistic and austere combat training exercises the United States has to offer. Despite my abilities, achievements, and continued commitment, I was identified for separation from service due to a policy change that states that I'm in conflict with, and I quote, a soldier's commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle because I am transgender. Fortunately, I was subsequently recommended for retention by a panel of senior leaders. While I am still awaiting a final decision from the Secretary of the Army with hope for continued service, many of my fellow service members and soon-to-be veterans have not had the same fortune. They have been or are going to be summarily ousted with less leadership experience, less expertise in their fields, and therefore less prospects for jobs, with some meriting absolutely no financial backstop to avoid the threat of homelessness as they attempt to restart their lives. AB 1775 represents not only a beacon of hope for the transgender veterans community, it's an investment in these veterans' talents and skills towards California's fiscal future. Thank you.
Thank you. Major, you're up.
Thank you, Senator Archuleta. First of all, I want to thank this body. I am retired from the military, and this year I received a good note from my accountant that said, hey, good news, you don't have to pay taxes on your military retirement. So I want to thank you all for doing that. That was a big, big help. Bass Pro Shop is also very happy, probably, because of all the money I spent there. I am retired from the United States Army. I live in Spring Valley, California, which is kind of in East County, San Diego. I want to add my support to this assembly bill. Living in San Diego, I've been working with people that are being dismissed from the military right now. I know the moral injury it's caused them. It's left their trust in government shattered. They've been hit by a Mack truck, a financial calamity. There was just last month one individual who needed emergency housing for himself, his spouse, and his four children. This bill's three positions will ease the transition of these military members into California's civilian life much easier and will provide much-needed support to empower them as they contribute to California's economy. I'm going to close with just this statement the first thing a grateful society can do for its warriors once they leave military service is meaningful employment ensuring discharges can be rapidly upgraded if needed get housing support and expedited professional licensure will help make these men and women contributing members of California's economy and I really, really appreciate the opportunity to address this body today. Thank you so much.
Thank you. Now, I'd like to ask if there's anyone in the room here, in room 2200, that would like to go ahead and come up to the microphone in support of the opinion you just heard and this Bill 1775. This is in support, and those in opposition will have an opportunity come later, but in support. Your name and how you feel about the bill.
Tennessee Hearing on behalf of the NAACP California White State Conference in strong support.
Thank you. Magali Zagal on behalf of Equality California in support. Thank you. Angela Pontes on behalf of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California in support. Thank you. Brock Cavett on behalf of San Diego LGBTQ plus pride in support. Is there anyone else would like to approach the microphone in support? You're welcome to. If not, let's go ahead and see if there's anyone that as a lead opposition witness would like to come up and sit here up front as a lead opposition witness. If not, anyone would like to address the microphone as a member of the public in opposition. I see none. With that, we only have one member so far. So, Senator, any questions or comments? I mean, the only thing I can say is that it's disappointing that we have to have this kind of hearing, that the federal government has made these sort of decisions. I'll support the bill. Thank you, Senator. Thank you. The Senator will move the bill at the appropriate time. We appreciate that. And, Assembly Ward, would you like to close?
And then I'll go ahead and close with my comments. Well, thank you, Senator. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I very much appreciate the consideration by this committee for the bill here today. You know, more than 4,200 individuals, service members across our country, identify as transgender and are at risk, of course, for all of the effects that we have from involuntary separations. But a disproportionate of those, an estimated 2,900 of those, either live here in California or are expected to return home to California. So this definitely is something that is going to disproportionately both affect our state, but also sees this as an opportunity to make sure that we're working very closely with these individuals to give them every chance to become excellent civilians. Of course, they come with a lot of the skills, training, and leadership opportunities as well to be able to do that. But for that necessary steps that we have for them to be able to make that successful transition, the state can really step up and provide that support for the areas that we've identified through this bill. So we also want to acknowledge we've had a lot of great synergy between the Assembly and the Senate to be able to have a necessary allocation in the budget should we be able to need that in a two-party agreement so far. We're, of course, waiting the governor's signature on that, but that will provide the funds necessary to be able to help support the housing stability part of this bill as well should that budget get signed and should this bill be enacted. So with that, Mr. Chair, again, I appreciate your time today. When the time is appropriate and you have a quorum, I would respectfully request your aye vote.
Thank you, Assemblymember. So if I may now ladies and gentlemen and veterans first off I like to thank all the veterans that are here Thank you for your service Thank you for what you done As we approach Fourth of July, there's going to be a lot of people patting you in the back. But we all ask one question. Where were you yesterday? Where will you be next week? And will you be there to support us? when there's bills like this, 1775, that makes a statement that it's necessary to treat people fairly and equitably across the board. Every man and woman who turns 18 years of age or 17 with parents' consent that would love to join the military, we should welcome them. And then we should honor them and take care of them when it's time to retire if they reach that level. So I thank you, Assemblymember Ward, for your presentation. But this bill is about making sure California stands with veterans, veterans across the state who have given so much to serve our community, our country, and our state. Members who have impacted and have met the challenge and challenges that will be there from the federal government. We've heard about it. Our military is stronger when it reflects the diversity of our country. It serves people from different backgrounds, experiences, and communities coming together, bringing their strength of diversity, their strength of including their experiences that they will give to the military and those they've received from the military. but their mission was always one to serve God and country they've done that with honor and dignity and Senator Ward, Assembly Member Ward we thank you once again for bringing it forward but I think it's part of our job as the committee here and the armed forces all together here in California to recognize your sacrifice and recognize everything you do men and women across the board, regardless of where they were born, regardless of their background or their religion, anything. This bill gives support to those veterans who have been impacted negatively, have been affected by recent challenges and changes in federal policy, dictating to them who is allowed to serve and who is not allowed to serve our nation. It should be your individual right to stand up and say, I want to serve this country. I am an American. I want to participate. And we have history where you've done just that, serving with honor and dignity, pride, and your professionalism, no doubt. So we're looking at this bill to help you professionally in licensing and discharge your upgrades if there's a problem, in housing if there's a necessity, but to support you overall. These are practical support items that can make a real difference in your lives, in your future, in the future of your families. So the military career that you've been abruptly discharged from, interrupted, it is terrible. But we're going to keep going, and we're going to do it here in California. So I appreciate your motion, Senator, at an appropriate time on Senate Bill 1775. So with that, Assemblymember, if you have time, come back. Find out how as everybody comes back. But you have my support.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
And I'm sure that we'll have everyone on board for you. Appreciate you. Thank you. So thank you. And thank you for coming forward. So, Madam Secretary, as I had mentioned, we do not have a quorum. So we'll continue on. And we have another honored veteran who served our great country ready to present his bill. And I'm so proud to welcome Warrant Officer Jeffrey Gonzalez, United States Marine Corps, who will present Assembly Bill 2022. Assemblymember, welcome.
Thank you, Mr. Chair and member of the committee. and staff. I'm here to present today AB 2022, a measure to expand the existing property tax exemption for disabled veterans. This bill provides a full property tax exemption for veterans who are 100% disabled by the VA or who are blind in both eyes or who have lost the use of two or more limbs as a result of their military service and who meet the existing low-income threshold already in law. In 2027, the income threshold will be $83,474 and will continue to adjust annually with inflation. For disabled veterans who qualify for the exemption but do not meet the low-income threshold, AB 2022 creates a 50% property tax exemption. Importantly, this bill also protects veterans under current law. Some veterans already receive more than 50% exemption, and this measure ensures they do not lose anything. Under AB 2022, no veteran will receive less than they do today. The result is either parity or an increase. I want to be clear on why this matters. I'm not only presenting this as a legislator, but as a 100% disabled combat veteran who served 21 years in the United States Marine Corps. Roughly 380,000 veterans in California live with service-connected disabilities. These are conditions caused or worsened by their service. These men and women answered the call. They put everything, everything on the line. Their health, their future, and in some cases, their lives. Some are family members, like your sons. Some are friends, colleagues. See, in return, we made them a promise. A promise that when they come home, especially if they come home injured, we would stand by them. Standing by our veterans means making sure they can stay in their homes. AB 2022 is about keeping that promise. Some have raised concern about general fund impact as a response to oppose this bill. My response is simple. In a state with record high revenues, we can afford to provide meaningful relief to those who have sacrificed their health in service to this country, our country. Frankly, it is the least this legislature can do. I was at a loss for words a week ago when I heard in a committee, when you were presenting, that California already provides generous benefits to disabled veterans as a reason not to expand them. There are 16 states that provide a full property tax exemption for all totally disabled veterans, and it is shameful that California, the fourth largest economy in the world, cannot attempt to do less than that without opposition. The recently passed budget is projected to at $355.9 billion. This bill represents approximately 0.0005% of that total. Senators, that is five one thousandths of one percent of our state budget to support California's disabled veterans. With that in mind, when appropriate, I respectfully ask for your I vote. With me today is Morgan Boyd to testify in support.
Go right ahead, sir.
Thank you, Mr. Chair, Senator McNerney. As mentioned, AB 2022 provides a full property tax exemption for the principal residence of a veteran who is rated 100% disabled due to a service-connected injury or illness. The exemption also extends to the unmarried surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran. And we know that families are important as they live through the same issues as our veterans. And thank you for authoring this bill. California remains an outlier in its approach towards meaningful tax incentives, which would keep veterans in California, boost the state's workforce, and ultimately increase total state revenues. California is losing retirees and other veterans to other states such as Texas, Georgia, and Florida. Since 2000, California's population of military retirees has fallen by a staggering 27.4%, while the U.S. military retiree population has increased by 17%. For those in the workforce, U.S. Department of Labor statistics show a 53% decrease in veterans in the California workforce over the last 20 years, larger than the 36% decrease in the U.S. overall, and far larger than the 12 and 27% decreases in states like Texas and Florida. In 2025, Governor Newsom included a partial tax exemption in his budget. The resulting exemption of $20,000 of military retirement pay effective for the tax year 2025 is a very welcome start. And AB 2022 adds the next step for keeping veterans and their families in our great state. California is competing with other states for the veteran population through tax incentives. Although scarred in body, not all of us are broken. We are succeeding. We are thriving. Even with the scars we bear in our service, Assemblymember Gonzalez and others, like myself, are in that camp. Veterans are contributing to our state with knowledge and assets, including taxes that contribute to the overall health of California. Veterans have been and are currently making decisions about where to live and settle. This will include our new active duty currently serving. They, too, will be making those same decisions. And all veterans need to know is that California is prioritizing its veterans. And AB 2022 is key to keeping our veterans here. Thank you.
Thank you. Well, I will tell you this, that strong witness, I appreciate your input. So now let's hear from anyone in the room in support of AB 2022. Good afternoon, Chair and Member. Yolanda Benson, representing the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers, and I want to thank Morgan Boyd, who's the president of that association, for being here today. I testify on behalf of my colleague Seth Reeb, who was unable to be here, but he's testifying in support for the American Legion, AMVETS, the California State Commanders Veterans Council, the Military Officers Association of America, California Council of Chapters, and the Vietnam Veterans of America's California State Council. Thank you. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Steve Johnson. I'm the Placer County Veterans Service Officer, also representing the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers. I'm a 21-year retired U.S. Air Force veteran, and I emphatically support AB 2022. Thank you. Thank you. I'm Steve Ansell, a retired Air Force officer from 30 years of service. I in the American Legion and also Military Officers Association of America We both support I also been asked to relay that AMVETS Vietnam Veterans of America and the California State Commanders Veterans Council a coalition of 22 veterans organizations all strongly support this bill. Thank you. Thank you. So, ma'am, we're going to hold you up for just a second, but we're going to give you additional time. Come on up to the microphone. Okay. You stay right there. We're going to establish a quorum. We have Senator Menjavar just joined us. So, Madam Secretary, would you call the world? Senator Argilleta. Here. Senator Argilleta here. Senator Grove.
Senator McNerney here. Senator McNerney here.
Senator Mendevar. Senator Mendevar here. And Senator Umber. Okay. So now we have a quorum so we can vote on Senator Gonzalez's bill and come back to the other. So please, ma'am, go right ahead. The microphone's yours, and I'm going to give you additional time. Oh, thank you, sir. My name is Susanna Storey. I'm a Gold Star spouse. That means my husband died serving our country. And when he died, I lost 85% of my income instantly. Unfortunately, they even ripped out the money from my checking accounts, the money that he had already been paid. I'm strongly in support of this. Some of us are only making $20,000 a year, and this would really help those of us that are. I myself have three roommates so that I can make it, and this would really help so at least I could be a leave. of some financial burden. Thank you, and our condolences in your loss, and thank you for giving him to us, our country. We appreciate it. Thank you. Gold Star Spouses, our motto is resilience through remembrance, and I'm remembering my husband from his service. Thank you. Remember our brothers and sisters have fallen. Yes, sir. No way I can go after that, really, honestly, but Clifton Wilson, on behalf of the Kern County Board of Supervisors with the current position of support if amended, Love the intent and just want to say thank you to everyone for all their service overall. Thank you. Thank you. Is there anyone else in the room who would like to get to the microphone and support? If not, let's go ahead and go with any lead witnesses in opposition. Anyone would like to get up to the microphone and state their opposition? I see none. So with that, let me go ahead and get back to our committee members. Any questions or comments? Good. We've got Senator Menjivar who moves the bill. Okay. Would you like to close, Assemblymember?
Thank you, Mr. Chair and members, for allowing me to bring this important measure before you today. I commend each and every one of you for your support of our veterans and respectfully ask for your aye vote. Semper Fidelis.
Thank you. You have a marina at the other end of the table for you. I wrap. Right there. Well, listen, thank you very much for your presentation. And again, on behalf of all of us here on the dais, we thank you for your service, and thank you for your service as well, Mr. Boyd. I appreciate it. AB 2022 provides meaningful property tax relief for our California disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. And there's that vote that you need as a gold star spouse. These are veterans who've sacrificed greatly in service to our country and for many of them. The rising cost of housing, property tax, it's harder to stay in your homes, as you've stated, ma'am. This bill builds California's existing disabled veterans property tax exemption by providing stronger relief for those most in need while also helping other eligible disabled veterans receiving the benefit of the 100%. It is a practical way to honor those who serve, supporting housing stability, and help disabled veterans remain in their communities and their homes. So with that, do I have a motion? I do. Senator Menjivar, with that, let's go ahead, Madam Secretary, and call the roll. Senator Archuleta?
Aye.
Let me start over. There you go. This motion is due passed to the Committee on Appropriations. Senator Archuleta?
Aye.
Senator Archuleta, aye. Senator Grove? Senator Menjivar? Aye. Senator Menjivar, aye.
Senator McNerney? Aye.
Senator McNerney, I, Senator Umbert. Okay. We've got three I's and we'll keep the row open. And we're expecting the others to come in. So with that, thank you so very much for your presentation. And again, thank you for your service. Welcome home and God bless you.
Thank you.
And we should do the consent calendar. Yeah. Let's go ahead and do the consent calendar. You're not on your way anywhere. No, you're good. Yes. Okay. Let's do the consent calendar. Madam Secretary, call the roll. Senator Archuleta. Aye. Senator Archuleta, aye. Senator Groves. Senator McNerney. Aye. Senator McNerney, aye. Senator Minjavar. Aye. Senator Minjavar, aye. Senator Umber. Okay. Okay. We have three to zero. We only have one we're waiting for. Three to zero, and we'll wait for Senator Umberg, and that consent calendar is approved. So let's go on to Assemblymember Gibson, who supports veterans and has so stated in his committee just a while back, and I appreciate those comments, believe me. So with Assembly Gibson, I'm sure you have a witness.
Yes.
And you present Assembly Bill 2054. And the floor is all yours, Assemblymember Gibson.
Thank you very much, Senator and members. Thank you for allowing me to present Assembly Bill 2054. Assembly Bill 2054 ensures equitable access to paid family leave for the eligible relatives of military service members. In California, we recognize that when a service member is called to duty, their entire family is also called to service alongside them. State law provides unemployment insurance benefits to military families to help them manage the real-life impact of deployment. Things like arranging child care, handling financial and legal matters, and preparing for long periods of separation for their families. This support exists because we understand that military service creates sudden significant disruption at the home. However, the current statute does not reflect full range of modern military service for today. Today's service members may be deployed overseas, activated here at home, and I want to underscore here at home. in response to natural disasters or emergencies or assigned to extended training in preparation for future deployment. Despite the similarities in sacrifice disruptions, not all of these assignments are treated equally under existing law. And I want to underscore treated equally under existing law. As a result, families can face confusion, inconsistence, eligibility, and in some cases, a lack of access to the benefits designated to support them. That means a service member responding to, watch this, wildfire like we've had here in California. Floods or other emergencies here in California may be protected by protecting our communities while worrying about whether their own families has the support that they need. Assembly Bill 2054 addresses the gaps by updating and clarifying the definition of covered active duty to reflect the reality of modern-day military service. Here with me to provide technical questions, if there may be any, and testify in support of Assembly Bill 2054 is Kelly Douglas with the United States Department of Defense. Thank you.
communities, we see this bill as a critical investment in the well-being of our families and the readiness of our nation. Military readiness depends on service members who can focus entirely on their mission without distraction. However, military life presents unique challenges that are not often well understood outside of our community. These include not only overseas deployments, but also extended training missions, state-level activations to support disasters and emergencies, as the Assemblymember mentioned, and the need for long-term care for injured service members who've been injured in combat. In short, AB2054 is a common-sense policy that modernizes existing paid family leave in California to support the full range of activations and missions that take service members away from home. Its passage will ensure that all military families in California are supported, secure, and ready for the unique demands of military life. We respectfully request your aye vote and are especially grateful to Assemblymember Gibson for championing this vital measure. Thank you for your consideration. I'm happy to answer any questions.
Very good. Thank you. Do we have anyone in the room here that would like to come up and show their support for Assembly Bill 2054? You're welcome. Hey, good morning, Chair. Veronica Padilla on behalf of... I've got to give a time out here. This is my former staffer, who is a high-ranking sergeant in the United States Army Reserves. And she's gone on to work for the Department of the Navy. Yes, sir. So we won't say much on that. But other than that, Veronica, welcome. And your chair, I believe she also was promoted to sergeant major. Yeah, and a sergeant major. How about that? So I'm sure that letter, never mind that. Good afternoon, Chair. Good afternoon, Chair. Members, Veronica Padilla on behalf of Navy Region Southwest and the Military Services in California in support. Thank you. Thank you. Good afternoon, Yolanda Benson on behalf of the California Association of County Veteran Service Officers in support. Steve Vansell. I spent some of my time in the Air Force Reserve during our military career. I have many members who are also in the Guard. I thank you very much, Assemblymember Gibson, for including your Guard and Reserve. Oftentimes we're called in very short notice to active duty. Very much in support. I'm with the American Legion and also the Military Officer Association of America. Thank you. Thank you. Elaine Brown, daughter of Ralph Leonard Brown, who served in the Korean War at Johnson Island, as an air traffic control tower operator. Anything you can do for them. He got the GI Bill, which changed my life. He was a longtime public ed teacher, so was I. I just would like to let you know if there's anything you can do for our vets. I'm currently a friend with someone who's helping me in therapy as a peer support. He was in the Iraqi war. He's about 45, and we're in a grief group together that he leads, and he kept all his men alive, and he drove one of the big rigs. And he there was he did such a great job, but there's not a lot of resources for them after they come out to deal with what they've seen. So just want to pass it on Thank you Thank you Thank you very much Are there any other witnesses in support of Senate Bill 2054 You welcome to come to the mic Okay Witnesses in opposition to Senate Bill 2054 You welcome to come to the mic If not okay So now let hear Assemblymember your closing Thank you very much, Senator. Really appreciate my witnesses and those who came to the microphone, and thank Ms. Douglas for her testimony in support of this bill.
Again, this is a modern-day revising of the definition of covering active duty for those who serve our country. Again, this is for the families, supporting those family members. Again, when we talk about wildfires, natural disasters here at home, we want to protect those families most of all. Because, again, when those family members, those active duty members are called for service, it's the families who need to be protected and need to be supported as well. And that's what this bill seeks to do. You know, my father served in the Korean War and appreciate his service, but also for the men and women who protect us both here at home and abroad. We want to make sure those families are taken care of as well. I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you.
Any questions or comments from the senators? Motion?
I just want to say this is common sense. people that are deployed are taken away from their jobs, their families it makes sense and it's fair I'll support it and I'll move the bill
I have a motion from Senator McNerney let me go ahead and make some comments Assemblymember thank you for bringing this bill you've touched us with your witnesses and obviously that your love of God and country is there and your dad and I'm sure you have others and your family and friends that also serve. We thank you for that. It's amazing how many family members who did not serve but who have family, and they stand up and cheer and yell and support our veterans as you have done, and I appreciate that. So this bill updates the paid family leave and better reflecting how military service works today, as you had mentioned. But regardless of whether a person's family member serves in the National Guard or reserves or even on active duty, families are impacted, as you had mentioned. Members are called away, and sometimes the deployment is overseas. But you had also mentioned domestic training here in California or throughout the United States, taken from their families. So this bill recognizes that and those sacrifices, and we will continue to remember those children and family members that are left at home. So we have a motion, and Madam Chair, let's call for the vote. Senator Urguleta.
Aye.
Thank you. I keep forgetting to do the due pass. The motion is due pass to the Committee on Appropriations. Senator Urguleta.
Aye.
Senator Argylleta, aye. Senator Grove. Senator McNerney.
Aye.
Senator McNerney, aye. Senator Minjavar. Aye. Senator Minjavar, aye. Senator Umber. And we'll keep the roll open. With that, thank you, Assemblymember and your witness. Thank you for coming all the way out. Appreciate it. Okay. And we have another presentation. Assemblymember Irwin presenting Assembly Bill 2531. And when you're ready and your witnesses are ready, please, you've got the floor.
Well, good evening, Mr. Chair and members. In December of last year, the Trump administration finalized a rule to prohibit the Veterans Health Administration, known as the VA, from providing abortion care. The potential effects of this decision are profound. Veterans in California, those who have worn the uniform and put their lives on the line, are now being denied basic reproductive health care from the VA because of the Trump administration's discriminatory policies toward women. Throughout my tenure in the legislature, I've always maintained a steadfast commitment to our veterans, whether it's through my time as the chair of the Assembly, Military, and Veterans Committee, or through the legislation I ran to place Prop 1 on the 2024 ballot. ballot. It has always been a priority of mine to ensure that we take care of the people who have served our country. And taking care of our veterans is exactly what this bill does. AB 2531 puts our veterans first where the federal government has failed them. It narrowly expands access to existing uncompensated care grant program so that it will include veterans whose federal health care coverage does not include abortion services. This will ensure that veterans who cannot receive abortion care or abortion counseling through the VA are not left behind. The bill also requires the California Department of Veteran Affairs to include a link to the abortion.ca.gov website to their existing list of resources for veterans to ensure that our veterans know they have access to this critical health care coverage. With me to testify in support of this bill is Angela Pontes on behalf of the bill's sponsor Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. Ms. Palm Tape, go right ahead.
Thank you, Chair and members. Angela Pontus, on behalf of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, we are a proud sponsor of AB2531. In 2022, following the Dobbs decision, the state created the Uncompensated Care Program to ensure abortion and contraception would be accessible to Californians. AB2531 narrowly expands eligibility in this existing program to include veterans in response to recent federal action that severely restricted access to abortion care. through the federal VA system. Under this new policy, the VA can only provide abortion in life threatening circumstances. This is an intentionally high threshold that has dangerous and cruel consequences. Despite California's constitutional protections for reproductive freedom, our state's veterans and VA providers cannot obtain or provide abortion care or even abortion counseling. Without this bill, veterans who wish may only access abortion care if they have the means to identify a non-VA provider and pay out of pocket. AB 2531 addresses a significant inequity for a small population in a simple way. We ask for your aye vote.
Thank you for your presentation. Is there anyone in the room that would like to step up and issue support for Senate bill Assembly bill 2531? Please.
Thank you. Angela Hill with the California Medical Association in support.
Hello. Genesis Gonzalez on behalf of Lieutenant Governor Eleni Conalakis in support. Thank you.
Good afternoon, Chair and members. Symphony Barbie on behalf of the ACLU CalAction in support.
Thank you. Anyone else in the room would like to step up to the microphone in support? Anyone in the room that would like to step up to the microphone in opposition to Senate Bill 2531?
I had a friend who was in the Navy. She had a healthy first grader. Oh, I'm sorry, Elaine Brown. She had a healthy first grade daughter. I was horrified to hear that they almost forced her to have an abortion telling her that there was something wrong with the pregnancy. I don't know how she fought that. I just don't want to see that use. I talked to someone else in the former military. They said, well, there used to be where if it was a vital position, they could force someone to have an abortion. I don't know if you're aware of that. I haven't researched that, but that's what I heard. and I'm just telling anecdotal story. I don't want to see anyone in the military forced to do anything. I didn't realize that as a possibility. I don't think that is now, but that's something I don't want to ever see. Thank you.
Are you in opposition to the bill?
Opposition to what I said, if that's a part of it.
Okay. Anyone else?
Can I do a support?
Support or opposition? You're welcome to come to the mic.
Clifton Wilson on behalf of the City and County of San Francisco in support.
Thank you. Okay, good. Anyone else in support or opposition? Okay. With Nat, would you like to close?
Yeah, I would just like to say this absolutely does not force anybody in the military to have an abortion, and this is a veterans bill, so this is obviously somebody who has served our country and is no longer serving to the opposition. So with that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
Good. Any questions or comments? Motion?
Motion.
Okay. Senator Menjabar. With that, let's go ahead and call the roll. This bill is due pass to the Committee on Public Safety. Is there a crime involved in this? We want to make sure it's appropriations. Bill is due pass to the Committee on Appropriations. Senator Archuleta?
Aye.
Senator Archuleta, aye. Senator Grove? Senator McNerney?
Aye.
Senator McNerney, aye. Senator Menjivar? Aye. Senator Menjivar, aye. Senator Umber? Aye. Senator Umber, aye. Okay. Thank you for presenting the bill. Let's go back and now that Senator Umberg is here. We've got to go back to the consent calendar. And then we have to vote on the bill. Okay. Got it. So let's go ahead and go with the consent calendar. Call for the vote. It's just Tom Umberg. We're going to go for the consent calendar first. Consent calendar. Consent calendar. Senator Umber. Aye. Senator Umber, aye. Okay. And that goes out. And the vote is? The vote is 4-0. 4-0. Good. Thank you. And on to the next bill. You need a motion on. I'm so moved. You need a motion on AB 1775. Motion on 1775 with Tom Umberg. We've got that. Go ahead. Senator, the motion is due pass to the Committee on Appropriation. Senator Archuleta?
Aye.
Senator Archuleta, aye. Senator Grove? Senator McNerney?
Aye.
Senator McNerney, aye. Senator Menjivar? Aye. Senator Menjivar, aye. Senator Umber? Aye. Senator Umber, aye. Four to zero is out. Four to zero is out. Let's go on to the next bill. Senate Bill 2022? Correct. Senator Umber. Aye. Senator Umber, aye. 4-0 is out. 4-0, that bill goes out. Next one is 2531. 2534. Let me go back over here. 2054, I'm sorry. The motion is due to pass the Committee on Appropriations. Senator Umber. Aye. Senator Umber, aye. 4-0, it's out. 4-0 goes out. Okay. And the very last one. We already did. We did that one. Okay. With that, I thank you all for coming to the meeting today, and thank you for honoring our veterans, and have a great evening. Thank you. Meeting is adjourned. Amen. Thank you.