What AB 1775 does
An act to amend Sections 115.4 and 115.8 of the Business and Professions Code, and to amend Section 885 of, and to add Section 886 to, the Military and Veterans Code, relating to veterans.
Existing law establishes the Department of Consumer Affairs under the direction of the Director of Consumer Affairs and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the administration of the various boards under its jurisdiction that license and regulate various professions and vocations. Existing law requires those boards to expedite, and authorizes them to assist, the initial licensure process for an applicant who supplies satisfactory evidence to the board that the applicant has served as an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States and was honorably discharged.
This bill would extend that requirement and authorization to also include members who were discharged or received a discharge solely as a result of a specified executive order. The bill would extend the requirement and authorization for the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board, commencing June 1, 2027. The bill would make additional conforming changes.
Existing law requires the department, subject to an appropriation by the Legislature, to establish the Veteran’s Military Discharge Upgrade Grant Program to help fund service providers who, for free or at low cost, will educate veterans about discharge upgrades and assist veterans in filing discharge upgrade applications, as specified. Existing law authorizes the department to prioritize veteran recipients of the services, such as prioritizing those who are able to demonstrate their less than honorable characterization of service was connected to a mental health condition, traumatic brain injury, sexual assault or harassment, or sexual orientation.
This bill would instead require the program to help fund service providers who will educate veterans on the above-described services at no cost. The bill would additionally require the department to prioritize veteran recipients, regardless of discharge status, who are able to demonstrate that their less than honorable characterization of service was connected to a behavioral health condition, traumatic brain injury, sexual assault or harassment, or sexual orientation or who are able to demonstrate their characterization of service was connected to gender identity.
This bill would additionally require the department, subject to an appropriation by the Legislature, to establish the Veteran’s Housing and Supportive Services Grant Program to help fund service providers who, for at no cost, will provide housing supports for veterans. The bill would require the department to develop criteria, procedures, and accountability measures as may be necessary to implement the grant program, and to prioritize veteran recipients, regardless of discharge status, who are able to demonstrate their less than honorable characterization of service was connected to a behavioral health condition, traumatic brain injury, sexual assault or harassment, or sexual orientation or who are able to demonstrate their characterization of service was connected to gender identity.
Summary from the Legislative Counsel's Digest of the enrolled text, August 27, 2026. Read the full text on leginfo.
How it got here
Assemblymember Ward introduced AB 1775 on February 9, 2026, with coauthors Assembly Members Addis, Haney, Pellerin, and Stefani and Senator Cabaldon. The text was amended 2 times, 1 in the Assembly and 1 in the Senate, and heard in 8 committee hearings before its final floor votes.
- Assembly Floor, May 26, 2026: 64 ayes, 1 noes.
- Senate Floor, August 24, 2026: 33 ayes, 0 noes.
- Assembly Floor, August 25, 2026: 65 ayes, 2 noes.
Committee votes along the way:
- Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs, March 24, 2026: Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Business and Professions], 8-0.
- Assembly Business and Professions, April 7, 2026: Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 16-0.
- Assembly Appropriations, May 14, 2026: Do pass as amended., 11-0.
- Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development, June 15, 2026: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Military and Veterans Affairs], 8-1.
- Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, June 22, 2026: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 4-0.
- Senate Appropriations, August 3, 2026: Placed on suspense file, 7-0.
- Senate Appropriations, August 13, 2026: Do pass as amended, 5-0.
Who supports and opposes AB 1775
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 17, 2026 lists 17 organizations in support and 0 in opposition. When Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs first listed positions on March 20, 2026, the count was 25 in support and 0 opposed. By the Senate Floor Analyses analysis of August 17, 2026 it was 17 to 0.
In support: Transgender Military Hub (sponsor); SPARTA Pride (sponsor); Out in National Security (sponsor); Minority Veterans of America (sponsor); Equality California (sponsor); Board of Registered Nursing; California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls; California Association of Veteran Service Agencies; and 9 more.
Read the Senate Floor Analyses analysis.
What happens next
It reached the Governor's desk on August 31, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
The Governor can sign the bill, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until the decision, sign and veto request letters are the remaining channel, and the Department of Finance's enrolled bill report carries weight on anything with a fiscal effect. If signed, most provisions take effect January 1, and implementation moves to the agencies named in the bill.
What it means for aerospace organizations
Two decisions follow from a bill at this stage. The first is whether to weigh in with the Governor's office before the thirty-day window closes. The second is how to prepare for implementation if it becomes law: which agency writes the rules, when the comment period opens, and which obligations begin January 1.
The aerospace group at Capitol Axis handles that for aerospace clients.
Questions about AB 1775
What does AB 1775 do?
This bill would extend that requirement and authorization to also include members who were discharged or received a discharge solely as a result of a specified executive order. The bill would extend the requirement and authorization for the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board, commencing June 1, 2027. The bill would make additional conforming changes.
Has AB 1775 passed the California Legislature?
It reached the Governor's desk on August 31, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
Who supports and opposes AB 1775?
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 17, 2026 lists 17 organizations in support and 0 in opposition. Supporters include Transgender Military Hub (sponsor); SPARTA Pride (sponsor); Out in National Security (sponsor).
What happens next with AB 1775?
The Governor can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until then, sign and veto request letters are the remaining channel, and the Department of Finance's enrolled bill report carries weight on anything with a fiscal effect.