What AB 264 does
An act to repeal Section 896.1 of the Military and Veterans Code, relating to veterans.
Existing law establishes various educational benefits for dependents of veterans who were killed during military service or are totally disabled, as specified. Existing law defines “dependent of a veteran” to include the spouse of a totally disabled veteran. Existing law prohibits a dependent of a veteran from receiving these educational benefits during the time the dependent is entitled to receive specified federal educational benefits or duplicate assistance from any other government source.
This bill would repeal that prohibition.
Summary from the Legislative Counsel's Digest of the enrolled text, August 30, 2026. Read the full text on leginfo.
How it got here
Assemblymember Carrillo introduced AB 264 on January 16, 2025, with coauthors Assembly Member Schiavo. The text was amended 0 times, and heard in 6 committee hearings before its final floor votes.
- Assembly Floor, May 29, 2025: 70 ayes, 0 noes.
- Senate Floor, August 26, 2026: 40 ayes, 0 noes.
Committee votes along the way:
- Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs, April 8, 2025: Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 7-0.
- Assembly Appropriations, May 23, 2025: Do pass., 14-0.
- Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, July 14, 2025: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar, 5-0.
- Senate Appropriations, August 18, 2025: Placed on suspense file, 7-0.
- Senate Appropriations, August 29, 2025: Do pass, 7-0.
Who supports and opposes AB 264
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 29, 2025 lists 10 organizations in support and 0 in opposition. When Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs first listed positions on April 4, 2025, the count was 2 in support and 0 opposed. By the Senate Floor Analyses analysis of August 29, 2025 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; California State Commanders Veterans Council; CFT, AFT, AFL-CIO; Military Officers Association of America, California Council of Chapters; Peace Officers Research Association of California; and 2 more.
Read the Senate Floor Analyses analysis.
What happens next
It reached the Governor's desk on September 3, 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 264
What does AB 264 do?
This bill would repeal that prohibition.
Has AB 264 passed the California Legislature?
It reached the Governor's desk on September 3, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
Who supports and opposes AB 264?
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 29, 2025 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 264?
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.