AB1509 — Identified as a committee bill on consent.
AB1509 — Included on the consent calendar with a do pass and re-refer motion to Appropriations.
AB1509 — Listed on the consent calendar for due pass and re-refer to Appropriations.
Yolanda Benson — Introduced as a supporter who will assist in support of AB 81.
Yolanda Benson — Yolanda Benson is introduced as a supporter testifying on behalf of county veterans services, and then she provides testimony in support of AB 826 representing the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers.
Yolanda Benson — Spoke in support of the bill on behalf of the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers.
Seth Ripps — Introduced as a supporter who will assist in support of AB 81.
Seth Reeb — Introduces himself and states he is representing multiple veterans organizations in support of AB 81.
Seth Reeb — Reeb-Government Relations representative speaking in support on behalf of multiple veterans organizations.
Nicole Wardleman — States support on behalf of the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
Catherine Squire — States support on behalf of the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.
Don Harp — States support on behalf of the American Legion and notes its California membership.
Steve Johnson — Identifies himself as Placer County Veterans Services Officer and supports the bill.
Steve Johnson — Placer County VSO and U.S. Air Force veteran; supported the bill.
Jorge Cruz — Speaks for the California Behavioral Health Association in support.
Major General Rob Austinburg — Speaks for the Association of the United States Army in support.
Pilar Schiavo — The Chair is referenced as supporting the bill and being thanked along with committee staff.
Pilar Schiavo — The roll call begins with Chair Schiavo present.
Pilar Schiavo — Addressed as Madam Chair while asking questions about claims and whether a veteran can handle later claims on their own.
Pilar Schiavo — Pilar Schiavo repeatedly votes aye during a sequence of roll-call actions, including the motion, adoption of the committee rules, AB 81, and the consent calendar.
Pilar Schiavo — Pilar Schiavo spoke from personal experience as the daughter of a disabled veteran, explaining that the fee waiver allowed her to attend college despite financial hardship. She described struggling to cover rent and food while in school and used that experience to emphasize the importance of honoring the state’s commitments to veterans and their families.
AB826 — The author introduces AB 826, which would prohibit unaccredited individuals or businesses from charging veterans fees to file or assist with VA benefits claims.
AB826 — The author explains the bill's enforcement mechanism: a $2,000 civil penalty per violation, split between the Veterans Service Office Fund and the district attorney.
AB826 — The bill is described as addressing unregulated claims assistance businesses and delays that harm veterans.
AB826 — The bill is framed as protecting veterans from exploitation and excessive fees.
AB826 — The bill is presented as a protection against exploitation by claims-assistance companies.
AB826 — The author summarizes the bill as closing an enforcement gap and protecting veterans from predatory actors.
AB826 — The witness supports AB 826 as a necessary response to unaccredited claims assistance and profiteering.
AB826 — The witness closes by asking for support of AB 826.
AB826 — Prado argues the bill could unintentionally harm veterans by limiting access to help.
AB826 — Prado argues the bill goes too far and could limit veterans' choices.
AB826 — Prado says the bill could create barriers and should be amended toward transparency and disclosures instead of blanket restrictions.
AB826 — Martin Gonzalez states opposition unless amended.
AB826 — The speaker opposes AB 826 unless amended to protect veteran choice.
AB826 — Each speaker opposes AB 826 unless amended.
AB826 — Speakers oppose AB 826 unless amended and ask to preserve choice and protect veterans.
AB826 — The speakers oppose AB 826 unless amended or as written.
AB826 — Oscar Chavez and Sal Hernandez oppose AB 826 unless amended and want choice preserved.
AB826 — Ryan Scalmanetti opposes AB 826 unless amended; John Henry Parker opposes the bill.
AB826 — The member says they will vote aye on the bill and wants further work with opposition.
AB826 — The questions are asked in the context of the bill and how claims assistance works.
AB826 — The discussion remains focused on how the bill's subject matter relates to claims fees and assistance.
AB826 — The motion concerns AB 826 and sends it due pass to the Judiciary Committee.
AB826 — Reported as re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary 8-0.
Laurie Davies — Member Davies is recorded as present.
Laurie Davies — A member identified as 'Rodriguez' thanks the author and says they will vote aye while urging continued work with opposition. The exact identity is uncertain because no Rodriguez is in the expected member list.
Laurie Davies — Laurie Davies is referenced and records a series of aye votes during the meeting, including on the motion, adopting the committee rules, AB 81, and the consent calendar.
Laurie Davies — Voted aye.
Anamarie Farías — During roll call, Anamarie Farías is called and appears to be present; the transcript is partially garbled, but the attendance check continues and she is marked here.
Anamarie Farías — The member appears to be addressing the committee and thanking witnesses while discussing the need for a streamlined veterans' benefits process.