California Department of Veterans Affairs

News for Veterans




Contact: JP Tremblay


Jaime Arteaga

Legislation and Public Affairs

916-208-5350


September 30, 2011





Governor Brown Signs Important Legislation for Veterans


SACRAMENTO – Secretary Peter J. Gravett, California Department of Veterans
Affairs (CalVet), today praised Governor Brown for acknowledging the
contributions and special needs of veterans who make California their home,
when he signed legislation that will expand housing options for veterans and
extend the priority registration for veterans going to state colleges and
universities.



“Governor Brown has once more demonstrated his commitment to the veterans of
our nation,” said Gravett. “I applaud the Governor for signing legislation
that is unprecedented for the CalVet Farm and Home Loan Program. This
legislation will be a major step forward by offering veterans dynamic
housing options and maximizing the effectiveness and efficiency our CalVet
programs.”



CalVet thanks Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez (D-Coachella); Assemblymember
Mike Davis (D-Los Angeles); and the Committee on Veterans Affairs for
carrying these pieces of legislation.



AB 697 by Assemblymember Pérez gives specific authority for CalVet to
provide refinancing opportunities under the CalVet Home Loan Program to
eligible veterans who are not current contract holders. The mortgage crisis
has impacted veterans who have mortgages at financial institutions outside
of the CalVet Home Loan Program, and who are subject to rising interest
rates as a result of adjustable rate mortgages. This bill will allow those
veterans to refinance their loan, as long as the loan is in good standing,
not upside down on the value of the house and would make good financial
sense for both the CalVet Home Loan Program and the veteran.



AB 1084 by Assemblymember Davis will expand the definition of “home” as
defined in the CalVet Farm and Home Loan Program to include “cooperative
housing corporation.” This bill will allow CalVet to engage in a greatly
needed service utilizing proven housing finance options for low and middle
income people and is a pragmatic and beneficial method for housing veterans
and their families, reducing homelessness among veterans and improving the
economy.



SB 813 by the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs will increase the time
veterans attending California’s public institutions receive priority
enrollment from two to four years to facilitate the maximum and efficient
use of veterans federal education benefits. This change in statute will help
alleviate the difficulties veterans face when they attempt to coordinate
their federal education benefits, such as the Post 9/11 GI Bill, with
registration for enrollment in classes at one of California’s public
colleges or universities. By extending the priority enrollment time frame,
not only will veterans maximize their Post 9/11 GI Bill funding, but
California will receive more federal veteran education money in a time when
the State’s colleges and universities are in need of additional resources.



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