Veterans Services & Benefits

Authorizes the sale, transfer, or exchange of seven specific California armories across the state. Requires approval from both the Director of General Services and Adjutant General for any property transactions. Directs all proceeds from armory transactions to be deposited into the state Armory Fund.

Establishes a new state agency to accredit and oversee educational programs for veterans. Requires organizations offering veteran education awards to obtain authorization from the new state agency. Authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to create and update regulations for veteran education programs.

Extends the Governor's Military Council operations from 2026 to 2031. Maintains the council's role in advising on military installation retention for national defense. Preserves bipartisan representation from both Senate and Assembly on the council.

Expands wage protection liens for farm workers to cover all agricultural employers, not just limited partnerships. Allows workers to claim liens up to two weeks of wages on harvested crops or their sale proceeds. Caps total liens at 25 percent of the crop's fair market value or sale proceeds. Permits employers to avoid liens by providing a wage payment bond to the Labor Commissioner.

Increases the maximum county burial assistance for indigent veterans from $350 to $1,000. Authorizes counties to provide financial support for burial or cremation expenses of qualifying veterans. Uses existing county funds to cover the increased burial and cremation benefit amounts.

Extends the sales tax exemption for zero-emission transit buses purchased by public agencies until January 1, 2028. Applies to various transit vehicle types including articulated, double-decker, and trolley buses over 14,000 pounds. Requires buses to qualify for the state's Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project. Takes effect immediately to help public agencies transition to zero-emission transit fleets.

Increases the property tax exemption threshold from $10,000 to $25,000 for low-value properties through 2036. Raises exemption limits to $50,000 for temporary uses of public facilities and fairgrounds. Requires annual reporting on exemption impacts and beneficiaries starting June 2027. Eliminates state reimbursement to local agencies for lost property tax revenue.

Extends property tax exclusions indefinitely for qualified solar energy systems installed after January 2026. Establishes new qualification criteria for solar systems based on size, location, and energy distribution. Requires property owners to file exclusion claims within three years of system installation or purchase. Prohibits state reimbursement to local agencies for lost property tax revenue from these exclusions.

Exempts fire departments from state sales tax on firefighting equipment and vehicles from July 2026 through 2030. Covers a wide range of purchases including vehicles, protective gear, and communication equipment. Requires fire departments to provide retailers with exemption certificates for qualifying purchases. Maintains existing local sales taxes and excludes university fire departments from the exemption.

Prohibits charging excessive fees for veterans benefits claims and services beyond VA-accredited rates. Bans unauthorized access to military credentials and veterans' benefit systems. Requires clear disclosures in advertisements targeting veterans about non-affiliation with VA. Makes violations a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and $1,000 fine.

Exempts tribal lands used for conservation and public recreation from property taxes until 2031. Eliminates transfer taxes on ancestral land returns to Native American tribes through 2031. Requires tribes to maintain conservation plans and restrict land use to cultural and educational purposes. Mandates annual reporting on tribal land transfers and tax exemption impacts.

Establishes a state tax credit of up to $675 for filing federal immigration petitions for family members. Limits eligibility to individuals earning under $120,000 or joint filers earning under $250,000 annually. Allows unused credit portions to be carried forward for up to seven years if exceeding annual tax liability. Program runs from 2026 through 2031 with one credit allowed per taxpayer annually.

Expands property tax payment deferrals during disasters to include taxpayers who have applied for installment plans. Allows one-year payment deferrals in counties declared as disaster areas by the Governor. Requires taxpayers to prove substantial property damage to qualify for payment deferrals. Mandates deferral applications be submitted by September 1 of the following fiscal year.

Authorizes the Governor to suspend annual gas tax increases if they burden low-income and middle-class families. Requires the Governor to notify Legislature by January 10 before suspending any scheduled tax increase. Mandates alternative funding proposals to maintain transportation funding if tax increases are suspended.

Extends property tax relief deadlines by 3 years for victims of January 2025 Los Angeles and Ventura wildfires. Allows property owners 24 months instead of 12 months to apply for disaster-related tax reassessments. Maintains tax-exempt status through 2033 for previously exempt properties damaged by the wildfires. Requires no state reimbursement to local agencies for lost property tax revenues under this act.

Allows veterans to claim both homeowners' and veterans' property tax exemptions starting January 2027. Requires voter approval through a constitutional amendment on the November 2026 ballot. Prohibits state reimbursement to local agencies for lost property tax revenue. Takes effect immediately as a tax levy upon passage of the bill.

Makes technical changes to definitions in the Veterans' Farm and Home Purchase Act program.

Authorizes counties to extend the property tax base value transfer period by up to 3 years after disasters. Applies to properties damaged by disasters in counties declared emergencies after January 1, 2025. Requires damaged properties to lose more than 50% of value to qualify for tax relief. Eliminates state reimbursement to local agencies for lost property tax revenue.

Exempts rental property transfers to tenant-owned cooperatives from property tax reassessment if specific conditions are met. Requires at least 51% of tenants to participate in ownership through voting shares or membership interests. Provides housing cooperatives a two-year grace period to achieve required tenant participation levels. Mandates annual reporting and documentation requirements for qualifying housing cooperatives.

Extends tax exemption for guaranteed income pilot program payments through July 2031. Provides continued financial relief to vulnerable Californians receiving pilot program payments. Takes effect immediately upon passage as a tax levy.

Increases property tax exemption from $7,000 to $50,000 for homeowners aged 62 and older starting in 2026. Raises the renter's tax credit to $550 for qualified joint filers and $275 for individuals aged 62 and older. Requires local governments to implement changes without state reimbursement for lost tax revenue. Takes effect immediately as a tax levy with benefits beginning in 2026.

Modifies property tax distribution formulas to increase funding for qualifying California cities. Removes certain property tax revenue reductions that previously decreased city allocations. Requires a two-thirds legislative majority for passage due to changes in property tax allocation. Mandates state reimbursement to local agencies for new administrative costs.

Suspends California's motor vehicle fuel tax for one year to provide immediate relief at the gas pump. Requires fuel sellers to pass all tax savings to consumers and show tax amounts on receipts. Transfers funds from the state's General Fund to maintain transportation funding during suspension. Establishes penalties for businesses that fail to pass tax savings to consumers.

Establishes a new Veteran Task Force to prevent military veterans from leaving California. Creates a diverse coalition of 25 state agencies and organizations to examine veteran benefits and support. Requires evaluation of housing, childcare, taxation relief, and job assistance for veterans and their families. Task force members serve without compensation to develop retention strategies for veterans.

Expands state employment preferences to include active duty service members and their spouses. Requires top ranking for veterans and active duty members who pass civil service entrance exams. Allows employers to grant hiring preferences to spouses of veterans and active service members. Permits commanding officers to verify military status for preference eligibility.