Assembly BillIntroducedMilitary and Veterans
AB 1638: County veterans service officers: additional resources.
What AB 1638 does, verified May 16, 2026
This bill would provide a stipend to counties hosting active US military bases to maintain a part-time county veterans service officer at each base, subject to base approval. The stipend would be funded by the legislature upon appropriation. The county veterans service officer would assist veterans and their families, and the stipend would help counties cover the costs of providing this service. The bill aims to support counties in maintaining a full-time presence to help veterans in need.
Bill journey
1IntroducedCurrent
2In CommitteePending
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: In committee: Held under submission. (2026-05-14)Alert me
Author and sponsors
Full contact details, staff, and committees with Connect, $16/moUnlockRecent actions6 total · showing 5
| May. 14, 2026 | In committee: Held under submission. |
| Apr. 22, 2026 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| Mar. 25, 2026 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 24). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Feb. 09, 2026 | Referred to Com. on M. & V.A. |
| Jan. 27, 2026 | From printer. May be heard in committee February 26. |
Latest bill textIntroduced version, January 26, 2026 · 434 words
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 1638
| Introduced by Assembly Member Ta |
January 26, 2026 |
An act to add Section 972.3 to the Military and Veterans Code, relating to veterans.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1638, as introduced, Ta. County veterans service officers: additional resources.
Existing law authorizes each county board of supervisors to appoint a county veterans service officer, and permits the county to provide the officer with any assistance and facilities that it determines to be necessary. Existing law requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to disburse funds, appropriated to the department for the purpose of supporting county veterans service officers pursuant to the annual Budget Act, on a pro rata basis, to counties that comply with certain conditions.
This bill would, upon appropriation by the Legislature, provide a stipend to counties that host an active United States military base for the purposes of maintaining a county veterans service officer, at least part time, at each active United States military base in the county, subject to base approval.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) County veterans service officers generate higher benefits for the veterans who use their service, bringing more federal benefits to California.
(b) More than 33,000 service members were discharged from active duty in California in 2019.
(c) By providing these separating service members access to the benefits to which they are entitled, we can help new veterans offset the high cost of living in California, helping both the veteran and their family remain in California after they separate.
(d) It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure adequate resources are made available to California counties that are home to one or more active United States military bases so that they are able to station a county veterans service officer at each military base, at least part time, subject to base approval.
SEC. 2.
Section 972.3 is added to the Military and Veterans Code, to read:972.3.
Upon appropriation by the Legislature, a county that hosts an active United States military base shall receive a stipend for the purposes of maintaining a county veterans service officer (CVSO), at least part time, on each active United States military base in the county, subject to base approval. A county shall not receive a stipend if the county chooses not to maintain a CVSO on a United States military base or the base in a county does not approve of a CVSO being maintained on that base.Text of AB 1638 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions