What you need to know: Governor Newsom signed a package of bills that will streamline and simplify procedures that support veterans and their families.
September 30, 2024 - Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday announced that he had signed a package of bills designed to support veterans in a variety of ways, 
including housing and education.
“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.”
Governor Gavin Newsom
What the new laws do
✅ Allow counties to refund improperly paid property taxes to disabled veterans and their surviving spouses, in any amount, without these individuals having to first file a claim for refund.
✅ Reduce the burden on military-connected pupils and their families and to publicly recognize and designate specific public schools as California Purple Star schools.
✅ Simplify income screenings, allowing more veterans to qualify for affordable housing.
New legislation to support veterans
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. A signing message can be found here.
SB 1138 by Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) – Pupil attendance: excused absences: military entrance processing.
Recent efforts to support veterans
Last week, Governor Newsom announced the release of new program guidance for up to $2.2 billion in funding through Proposition 1 to build permanent supportive housing for veterans and other individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorder challenges who are at risk for or experiencing homelessness. The program, known as Homekey+, will extend the successful Homekey model by emphasizing the acquisition and rehabilitation of existing buildings or other project types that can be quickly converted or constructed into permanent affordable housing. Detailed information can be found HERE and a fact sheet can be found HERE.
Source: Office of the Governor
