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.
Rep. Phillip Chen
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 2026 as Second Chance Month in California to raise awareness about opportunities for individuals reentering society after incarceration. The measure is a ceremonial proclamation that does not alter laws, allocate funding, or change government operations. Its primary purpose is to encourage public recognition of the challenges faced by formerly incarcerated people and to highlight available support resources during that specific month.
This measure would proclaim the week of April 20, 2026, to April 24, 2026, inclusive, as California Home Visiting Week, and would encourage all Californians to recognize and celebrate the contributions of home visiting programs and professionals and the families they serve.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates the week of April 19 to April 25, 2026, as Mosquito Awareness Week. The measure is a commemorative resolution that officially recognizes this specific time period to highlight mosquito-related issues. It does not create new laws, impose regulations, or allocate funding, but rather serves to raise public awareness through official designation.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 2026 as Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month in California. It requires state officials to issue a formal proclamation highlighting the importance of raising public awareness about the condition. The measure does not change laws or allocate funding but serves to recognize the month dedicated to this health issue.
This measure would proclaim March 2026 as American Red Cross Month, dedicate it to all those who continue to advance the noble legacy of the organization's founder, and encourage all Californians to reach out, support the organization's humanitarian mission, and join in their commitment to care for people in need.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 14 of every year as Sylvia Mendez Day to honor the civil rights activist who challenged school segregation in California. The measure is a commemorative resolution that does not change laws, allocate funding, or alter government operations. By establishing this annual observance, the state recognizes Mendez's historical contributions to education and civil rights.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates the week of April 12 to April 18, 2026, as California Public Safety Telecommunicators Week to honor the work of emergency call operators. The measure does not change laws or allocate funding; it simply establishes an official state observance. By creating this designated week, the legislation aims to bring public attention to the role of telecommunicators without altering their duties or compensation.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 19, 2026, as World Irritable Bowel Syndrome Day within the state of California. It serves as a commemorative resolution intended to raise awareness about the condition on a specific date. The measure does not create new laws, funding, or administrative requirements but simply establishes an official day of recognition.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that formally recognizes May 2026 as Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month in California. It commends the community for its historical contributions to the state and nation while acknowledging the hardships they have faced, such as discrimination and internment. The resolution serves as a symbolic gesture to celebrate the achievements and diverse cultures of over 7.3 million Asian and Pacific Islander Americans living in California. As a commemorative measure, it does not create new laws or change government operations but rather directs the Assembly to acknowledge this specific month of observance.