Two veterans introduced by California Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia have advanced to the Senate. (Photo: Office of Eduardo Garcia)
On May 27, two veterans bills introduced by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) were advanced to the California Senate.
The first bill, AB 2032, would establish a “Green Alert emergency system” managed by the California Highway Patrol, or CHP, to combat veteran suicide in the state. Like existing Amber and Silver Alerts, and with proper cause, the CHP would be granted the power to issue an alert to the public for a veteran thought to be at risk for suicide.
The bill is currently expected to pass in the Senate, and if so, California would join a growing number of states adopting the Green Alert system. It is not clear how long it would take for the CHP to implement the new system.
Ending veteran suicide in California remains a top priority for policymakers. Earlier this month, the governor’s office announced a proposal to establish the California Veterans Health Initiative, or CVHI, which would evaluate current and future state policies, research, and management of care relating to veteran suicide in the state.
The second bill, AJR 19, would have the state of California formally call on the federal government to end the current policy of deporting veterans that are not U.S. citizens.
In a recent press release, Garcia notes, “it is unconscionable to deport our nation’s heroes to countries where they will lose accessibility to the veteran services they have earned and often to places where they have no memories and do not speak the language. Yet, upon their deaths, they can be brought back to the United States to be honored. We should honor their valiant contributions by allowing our servicemembers to stay in the country, their home that they fought to protect.”
If AJR 19 is passed in the Senate, California would only adopt an official stance in opposition to ending the federal process of deporting non-citizen U.S. veterans.
The California American Legion has compiled a full list of California veterans bills here.
Author: Christian Southards
Coming from a family with a proud military background and wanting to contribute his writing skills to a worthy cause, Christian began writing for the California American Legion in August of 2020. His father is a 25-year Army Veteran and his grandfather served in the Navy during Vietnam.
Don’t hold your breath! It’s getting close to election season so look for all the goodies to be Promised. Remember the old saying, a chicken in every pot. After the election the pot is still empty. A major change it needed in Sacramento. Do not return incumbents to office. None. Nothing will change if you do.
I would like to know if States of CA can do a resolution to Recognized United States Armed Forces Special Guerrilla Unit that fought in side Laos from 1961 to 1978. I have discussed with States Assembly man Devon Mattis, but I don’t hear anything from his office at all. These Veterans need help and can’t get any help at all. These Veterans need such as: Driver License, Retired Army ID, License Plat, Health Care Benefit, Disabilities and other benefit also States help with the cost of funeral expensive. Please get it back to me. Thanks.
Gee this must be important based on what they wrote. “If passed, AB 1623 would amend the California Personal Income Tax Law to exclude military retirement pay starting no earlier than Jan. 2023 but before Jan. 2033.
Status: AB 1623 has not been passed in the Assembly.”
I can’t believe they would drag this out until January 2033.
I’m editing my post because I called these mediocre do-nothing bills what they are.
What is the leading driver of veteran suicide in CA?
Drug abuse usually tied to housing insecurity or homelessness. We could provide vets with reductions in property tax rates tied to their disability rating. Going from 10% for a zero percent rating (which means you do have an injury but it isn’t eligible for payment) up to 100% for ninety percent ratings and above. We could provide additional support to actually encourage veteran home ownership by providing a forgivable loan to pay down points on the veterans home loan, once again, tied to rating on a sliding scale. Doing these things would reduce veteran suicide and drug usage. INSTEAD, as usual, they do something that does nothing meaningful and then expect us to be grateful for theatre instead of leadership.
Approved. Thanks, Christopher.
Has the California State Government been approach about not taxing military retirements of California residents? This is the only state, out of 50 that taxes 100-percent of Military Pensions. The other 49 states either tax a percentage of Military Retirement or don’t tax the Military pensions. Especially when the State has 30-plus billion dollars in excess.