SACRAMENTO (September 2026) — California veterans, service members and their families will see expanded benefits and protections under five new laws signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 28. In the governor’s announcement, the legislation was highlighted for changes aimed at helping veterans remain in their homes, improving access to benefits and supporting military families and students.
Senate Bill 296, authored by Sen. Bob Archuleta, expands property tax relief for qualifying disabled veteran homeowners and certain unmarried surviving spouses. Beginning with the Jan. 1, 2027, property tax lien date, qualifying veterans can receive an exemption on 50% of the first $1 million of their principal residence’s full value.
For eligible veterans with household income of $83,474 or less, adjusted annually, the exemption increases to 100% of the first $1 million. Eligibility includes veterans rated 100% disabled or compensated at the 100% rate because they are unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. Veterans and qualifying surviving spouses must apply through their county assessor and provide documentation establishing eligibility.
“California has made history in support of our disabled veterans,” said Senator Bob Archuleta, Chair of the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs. “SB 296 provides much needed stability and support for those who have sacrificed so much for our state and nation. I thank Governor Newsom for signing this important legislation, which will help reduce costs for our disabled veterans, and for his continued support of California’s veteran community. As the longest-serving Chair of the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee and a former paratrooper, I have made it a priority to advance legislation that supports veterans and helps them build their lives in California. At a time when other states are competing to attract our veterans, SB 296 will help ensure California remains a place where veterans can prosper, thrive, and build a secure future.”
Assembly Bill 2219, the Faster Services for Veterans Act, authored by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo, establishes new statewide standards for County Veterans Service Offices, including timelines for filling County Veterans Service Officer vacancies and obtaining accreditation.
By Jan. 1, 2029, the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) must implement a statewide electronic work queue that can distribute disability claims and appeals among county veterans service offices regardless of where a veteran lives. The law also establishes new training, performance and veteran feedback requirements intended to improve access and consistency across the state.
“Veterans should never have to fight through bureaucracy to access the benefits and support they earned through their service,” said Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs. “The Faster Services for Veterans Act (AB 2219) will help veterans get connected more quickly to the VA and California programs and services they have earned by reducing delays, strengthening County Veterans Service Officers, expanding access in underserved communities, and making sure veterans’ experiences help us continually improve services statewide. This law is about making sure California lives up to its responsibility to the veterans and military families who have sacrificed so much for us.”
The law follows the Sept. 10 release of a University of Southern California study examining veterans’ experiences with County Veterans Service Officers in Los Angeles, Santa Clara and Nevada counties. The study found reported improvements in health, financial security, employment, housing stability and quality of life after veterans received assistance obtaining benefits.
“California took significant steps towards recognizing the unique contributions that our military, veterans, and their families bring to our state,” Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MVA) Director Jim Zenner said. “I am particularly encouraged with the efforts to ensure CVSOs are delivering timelier services and consistently across the state. Our veterans and their families deserve nothing less.”
Assembly Bill 2054, authored by Assemblymember Mike Gipson, expands California Paid Family Leave wage-replacement benefits for certain needs related to a family member’s military service. Qualifying military duty will expand to include training and additional deployments for regular Armed Forces members and training and federal or state active-duty orders for Reserve and National Guard members. The expansion will take effect when incorporated into the Employment Development Department’s updated claims system or July 1, 2028, whichever occurs first.
Two additional laws address higher education for veterans and military-connected students.
Assembly Bill 2203, authored by Assemblymember David Tangipa, expands priority registration, giving eligible veterans and military dependents who receive federal GI Bill education benefits earlier access to course registration. Beginning with the 2028–29 academic year, California State University campuses and community colleges with priority registration systems must provide the registration priority. The University of California is requested to do the same.
Assembly Bill 1346, authored by Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, protects existing in-state tuition status for certain military dependents who leave a California public college or university and later reenroll. Eligible students can retain their resident classification even if the service member has since been transferred out of California or retired from active duty.
With implementation beginning in 2027 and continuing through 2029, the next several years will bring changes to both the benefits available to veterans and military families and the systems they rely on to access them.
Veterans, service members and their families who have questions about benefits or need assistance with a claim can contact the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs at 1-877-4LA-VETS or schedule an appointment at: https://lacmva.co/schedule.
Story by Ashley Cohen, Public Information Associate, Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
