The California State Commanders Veterans Council (CSCVC) has released its 2025 End-of-Year Legislative Advocate Report, highlighting key victories and ongoing priorities for California’s veteran community despite statewide fiscal constraints.
California began the year facing a $12 billion deficit, but support for veterans remained strong. CalVet’s 2025–26 budget preserves operations at all seven Veterans Homes and funds the expansion of skilled nursing care at Yountville.
Legislative Victories
Despite the difficult budget year, 12 veteran-focused bills were signed into law, including measures that:
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Expand educational access for military families (AB 88, AB 571, AB 1412)
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Support veterans’ tax relief (SB 132) and protect disability pay from court fee calculations (SB 54)
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Advance veteran cemetery construction in Orange County (AB 571)
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Strengthen oversight of veteran education and accreditation (AB 1509)
The Fight Against Predatory Claims
A major focus of 2025 advocacy was SB 694, the Veterans Benefits Protection Act, which seeks to ban unaccredited “claim shark” services that charge veterans for help with disability claims. While the bill did not reach a Senate floor vote this year, EANGUS, CAL EANGUS, CSCVC, and allied VSOs are committed to ensuring it passes when the Legislature reconvenes in January 2026.
A Call to Action
The report emphasizes that grassroots engagement wins legislative battles—thousands of veterans mobilized for tax relief, but fewer engaged on SB 694. The message is clear: veterans’ voices must be louder than special interests.
The full report outlines additional updates on Proposition 1 housing programs, County Veterans Service Officer funding needs, and next steps for two-year bills that return in 2026.
Read the full CSCVC End-of-Year Legislative Report (2025) here:
👉 CSCVC Legislative Report – 2025
