What SB 694 does
An act to amend Section 1770 of the Civil Code, and to amend Section 401 of the Military and Veterans Code, relating to unfair business practices.
The Consumers Legal Remedies Act makes unlawful certain unfair methods of competition and certain unfair or deceptive acts or practices undertaken by a person in a transaction intended to result or that results in the sale or lease of goods or services to a consumer, including charging or receiving an unreasonable fee, as defined, to prepare, aid, or advise any prospective applicant, applicant, or recipient in the procurement, maintenance, or securing of public social services, as defined to include, among other things, veterans pensions.
This bill would expand the definition of public social services to also include other veterans benefits. The bill would also expand the definition of an unreasonable fee to include a fee charged with respect to federal veterans benefits that exceeds the amount that could be charged for those services by an attorney or claims agent accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
Existing law prohibits a person from, in connection with any transaction or any sale of goods or services, electronically accessing a Common Access Card (CAC) issued to a service member, placing or requiring the placement of such a CAC in a smart card reader, requesting or requesting entry of the personal identification number (PIN) associated with such a CAC, or requiring a service member to log in to any United States Department of Defense or, in the case of a member of the United States Coast Guard, United States Department of Homeland Security computer system. Existing law makes void a transaction or sale entered into in violation of these provisions.
This bill would extend the above-described restrictions to prohibit requiring a former or current service member to log in or share their credentials for accessing, or accessing with another person’s credentials, any United States Department of Defense, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or United States Department of Homeland Security computer system. Except as provided, the bill would prohibit a person from, in connection with any transaction or any sale of goods or services, directly or indirectly soliciting, contracting for, charging, or receiving, or attempting to solicit, contract for, charge, or receive, any fee or compensation with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim for benefits under the laws administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill would also make void a contract performed in violation of these provisions. The bill would make violations of these provisions a misdemeanor. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Summary from the Legislative Counsel's Digest of the chaptered text, February 10, 2026. Read the full text on leginfo.
How it got here
Senator Archuleta introduced SB 694 on February 21, 2025, with coauthors Assembly Members Jeff Gonzalez and Stefani. The text was amended 1 time, and heard in 6 committee hearings before its final floor votes.
- Senate Floor, May 23, 2025: 36 ayes, 0 noes.
- Assembly Floor, September 4, 2025: 68 ayes, 0 noes.
- Senate Floor, January 26, 2026: 25 ayes, 6 noes.
Committee votes along the way:
- Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, April 28, 2025: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar, 4-0.
- Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs, July 1, 2025: Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary], 6-0.
- Assembly Judiciary, July 8, 2025: Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 11-0.
- Assembly Appropriations, August 29, 2025: Do pass., 14-0.
- Senate Judiciary, September 9, 2025: Be re-referred to the Committee on [Rules], 12-0.
Who supports and opposes SB 694
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated January 26, 2026 lists 31 organizations in support and 4 in opposition. When Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs first listed positions on April 28, 2025, the count was 1 in support and 0 opposed. By the Senate Floor Analyses analysis of January 26, 2026 it was 31 to 4.
In support: California Association of County Veterans Service Officers (sponsor); AMVETS - Department of California (sponsor); American Legion - Department of California (sponsor); 1 Method; AARP; California Association of Veteran Service Agencies; California Enlisted Association of the National Guard; California Highway Patrolmen; and 23 more.
Opposed: Black Veterans Empowerment Council; Purple Heart Homes; United Veteran Benefits Agency, LLC; Veterans Guardian.
Read the Senate Floor Analyses analysis.
What happens next
It was signed and chaptered on February 10, 2026 as Chapter 1, Statutes of 2026. Most provisions of a bill chaptered in this session take effect January 1.
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
The work now is implementation: which agency writes the rules, when the comment period opens, and which obligations begin January 1. An organization that was not in the room for the bill can still shape the regulation, and the regulation is usually where the operating detail is settled.
The aerospace group at Capitol Axis handles that for aerospace clients.
Questions about SB 694
What does SB 694 do?
This bill would expand the definition of public social services to also include other veterans benefits. The bill would also expand the definition of an unreasonable fee to include a fee charged with respect to federal veterans benefits that exceeds the amount that could be charged for those services by an attorney or claims agent accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
Is SB 694 law in California?
It was signed and chaptered on February 10, 2026 as Chapter 1, Statutes of 2026. Most provisions of a bill chaptered in this session take effect January 1.
Who supports and opposes SB 694?
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated January 26, 2026 lists 31 organizations in support and 4 in opposition. Supporters include California Association of County Veterans Service Officers (sponsor); AMVETS - Department of California (sponsor); American Legion - Department of California (sponsor). Opponents include Black Veterans Empowerment Council; Purple Heart Homes; United Veteran Benefits Agency, LLC.
What happens next with SB 694?
The question now is implementation. The agencies named in the bill write the rules that decide what it means in practice, and those proceedings are open to comment.