SB 519 California Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Veterans.

Summary

Existing law establishes the Department of Veterans Affairs. The department, among other services, provides veterans and their dependents and survivors with assistance in processing service-related disability claims, assistance in obtaining affordable housing, and information about health issues associated with military service. This bill would create the Veteran Task Force for the purpose of reversing the trend of veterans and individuals transitioning from the military who are leaving California to reside and work in another state. The bill would prescribe the composition of the task force, including, among others, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The bill would require the task force to, among other things, examine existing veterans benefits in California, assistance for individuals transitioning from the military, childcare availability, affordable housing, and other services and opportunities to retain veterans and their families in California.

Issues: ✓ Veterans

Bill status failed 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 19, 2025 Last action Feb 2, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

02/19/25 - Introduced → 03/26/25 - Amended Senate · 5 edits · Mar 26, 2025

MODERATE

SB 519 was substantially expanded from a simple declaration of legislative intent to actually create the Veteran Task Force by law. The amendment adds an entire new Article 8.3 to the Military and Veterans Code, establishing the task force's composition (state agencies, legislative committee chairs, stakeholder organizations), its specific duties (examining benefits, childcare, housing, taxation relief, license portability for spouses, and veteran-owned businesses), and its purpose of reversing the trend of veterans leaving California. The fiscal committee review requirement also changed from 'no' to 'yes.'

SCOPE

The bill now actually creates the Veteran Task Force (Section 999.90) rather than merely declaring legislative intent to do so in the future.

REQUIREMENT

New Section 999.91 prescribes the task force composition: representatives from eight state agencies, four legislative committee chairs or their appointees, a higher education representative, and 13 named stakeholder organizations. VetFund Foundation serves as chair; San Diego Military Advisory Council serves as vice chair. Members receive no compensation.

New Section 999.92 defines the task force's duties: examine services and policies as incentives for veterans to stay in California, recommend diverse ideas to achieve retention, and specifically examine existing veteran benefits, transition assistance, license portability for military spouses, childcare availability, affordable housing, taxation relief, and veteran-owned businesses.

FISCAL

Fiscal committee review changed from 'no' to 'yes,' indicating the bill now requires fiscal analysis before proceeding.

TECHNICAL

The bill title was updated from a generic 'An act relating to veterans' to a specific reference to adding Article 8.3 (commencing with Section 999.90) to Chapter 6 of Division 4 of the Military and Veterans Code.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 4. Noes 0. Page 918.) (April 28). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Committee

Re-referred to Com. on M. & V.A.

upper

Mar 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.

upper

Feb 26, 2025

Committee

Referred to Com. on RLS.

upper

Feb 19, 2025

Introduced

Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors