What AB 2219 does
An act to amend Sections 970, 971, and 972.1 of, and to add Section 972.15 to, the Military and Veterans Code, relating to veterans.
Existing law authorizes the board of supervisors of each county to appoint a county veterans service officer to perform duties relating to the administration of benefits to veterans. Existing law authorizes the board to prescribe the qualifications of a county veterans service officer and fix the compensation of that officer. Existing law requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (department) annually to prepare a report of the activities of county veterans service officers, including information on the number of veterans and their family members who have contacted or utilized the services of the county veterans service offices and the benefits received by veterans and their dependents as a result of the efforts of the county veterans service offices.
This bill would require that a veterans service officer vacancy be filled within 12 months after the date of the vacancy and would require the appointee to obtain and maintain accreditation from the department, as specified, within 9 months after that appointment.
The bill would additionally require the department to establish minimum training requirements for accreditation that would, among other things, improve public awareness of free disability claim resources and ensure proper data collection to track system improvements. The bill would also require the department, in consultation with the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers, by no later than January 1, 2029, to develop and implement a statewide work queue, as defined, for appointments, claims assistance, and other services provided to veterans. By increasing the duties on local officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law requires the department 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 a county that complies with certain conditions.
This bill would require the department, in consultation with the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers, to develop a service capacity and performance framework to inform funding allocations for county veterans service offices. The bill would require the department to prepare and submit a report to the Legislature describing the proposed framework and its anticipated fiscal and operational impact, as specified. The bill would additionally require the department, by no later than January 1, 2029, and every 3 years thereafter, to prepare a report analyzing data regarding the configuration, structure, and operations of each county veterans service office and transmit the report, as specified, to the Legislature, the Department of Finance, the State Department of Health Care Services, and the California Veterans Board.
The bill would require the department, in consultation with the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers, to create a standardized statewide digital survey platform to collect feedback from veterans for services provided at service offices. The bill would authorize the department to review, adopt, amend, or repeal guidelines or terms, or both guidelines and terms to implement these provisions and would exempt that review, adoption, amendment, or repeal from the Administrative Procedure Act.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Summary from the Legislative Counsel's Digest of the enrolled text, August 24, 2026. Read the full text on leginfo.
How it got here
Assemblymember Schiavo introduced AB 2219 on February 19, 2026, with coauthors Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez. The text was amended 2 times, and heard in 7 committee hearings before its final floor votes.
- Assembly Floor, May 21, 2026: 70 ayes, 0 noes.
- Senate Floor, August 20, 2026: 39 ayes, 0 noes.
Committee votes along the way:
- Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs, April 14, 2026: Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 8-0.
- Assembly Appropriations, May 14, 2026: Do pass., 15-0.
- Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, June 22, 2026: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Local Government] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar, 4-0.
- Senate Local Government, July 1, 2026: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar, 7-0.
- Senate Appropriations, August 3, 2026: Placed on suspense file, 7-0.
- Senate Appropriations, August 13, 2026: Do pass, 7-0.
Who supports and opposes AB 2219
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 14, 2026 lists 10 organizations in support and 0 in opposition. When Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs first listed positions on April 10, 2026, the count was 6 in support and 0 opposed. By the Senate Floor Analyses analysis of August 14, 2026 it was 10 to 0.
In support: American Legion, Department of California; AMVETS, Department of California; California Association of County Veterans Service Officers; California Association of Veterans Service Agencies (CAVSA); California State Commanders Veterans Council; City of Fairfield; Los Angeles County; Military Officers Association of America, California Council of Chapters; and 2 more.
Read the Senate Floor Analyses analysis.
What happens next
It reached the Governor's desk on August 27, 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 2219
What does AB 2219 do?
This bill would require that a veterans service officer vacancy be filled within 12 months after the date of the vacancy and would require the appointee to obtain and maintain accreditation from the department, as specified, within 9 months after that appointment.
Has AB 2219 passed the California Legislature?
It reached the Governor's desk on August 27, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
Who supports and opposes AB 2219?
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 14, 2026 lists 10 organizations in support and 0 in opposition. Supporters include American Legion, Department of California; AMVETS, Department of California; California Association of County Veterans Service Officers.
What happens next with AB 2219?
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.