CaliforniaState would fund free housing support for veterans if lawmakers provide money
If lawmakers fund them, state grants would pay groups to offer veterans free housing support and qualifying veterans free help seeking discharge upgrades.
What it does
If lawmakers set aside money, the state would give grants to groups that provide veterans with free housing support.
Licensing boards would speed up first individual license applications from former active duty members discharged solely because of Executive Order 14183. For applicants to the speech, hearing, and hearing aid board, this starts June 1, 2027.
If lawmakers fund the program, groups it supports would teach veterans about changing their military discharge records and help qualifying veterans apply, all for free.
If lawmakers fund the programs, the state would prioritize veterans with less than honorable discharges tied to certain health conditions, sexual assault or harassment, or sexual orientation, and veterans with any discharge tied to gender identity.
Argument forIf lawmakers fund the grants, veterans could get housing support from funded groups without paying for it.
Argument againstIf lawmakers fund the housing grants, priority rules could leave other veterans with less access to free housing help.
More detail
The state would set up grants for groups that offer veterans free housing support. Groups receiving grants would offer housing support to veterans at no cost. Grant funding depends on lawmakers setting aside money.
State licensing boards would have to speed up these applicants' first individual license applications. They could also help applicants through the process. Applicants must have served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and seek an individual license, not a business license. Applicants must give the board satisfactory proof that Executive Order 14183, issued January 27, 2025, was the sole reason for their discharge. The expanded rule starts June 1, 2027, for applicants to the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board.
Funded groups would teach veterans about discharge upgrades and help qualifying veterans apply, all at no cost. Veterans could receive free information about changing their discharge records. Only qualifying veterans could get free help applying. Program funding depends on lawmakers setting aside money.
The state would give priority to veterans with specified discharge histories in both grant programs. The priority applies to veterans receiving services through either grant program. One group must show that a less than honorable discharge was tied to a behavioral health condition, traumatic brain injury, sexual assault or harassment, or sexual orientation. Veterans can also qualify by showing that their discharge was tied to gender identity, regardless of discharge status. Each program's grants depend on lawmakers setting aside money.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 26Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 467, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 26Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Aug 31Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 25Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 65. Noes 2. Page 6463.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 1775 Ward Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 24In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB1775 Ward et al. By Cervantes. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 24Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 32. Noes 0.).Passed Senate
- Aug 17Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 13Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 13From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (August 13).Major
- Aug 3In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 23From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 0.) (June 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Jun 22
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 15From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on M. & V.A. (Ayes 8. Noes 1.) (June 15). Re-referred to Com. on M. & V.A.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Military and Veterans Affairs]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 3Referred to Coms. on B. P. & E.D. and M. & V.A.Minor
- May 27In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Vote recorded AB 1775 Ward Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 26Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 64. Noes 1. Page 5361.)Passed Assembly
- May 19Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 18Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.Major
- May 14From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (May 14).Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 22In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Apr 7From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (April 7). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 7Coauthors revised.
- Mar 25From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 24). Re-referred to Com. on B. & P.Minor
- Mar 24
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Business and Professions]. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 23Referred to Com. on M. & V.A.Minor
- Feb 10From printer. May be heard in committee March 12.
- Feb 9Read first time. To print.Introduced
VeteransHousingEconomy & Jobs