Military & Veterans InTransition News

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 29, 2014

GOVERNOR BROWN SIGNS ASSEMBLY BILL 13
Assembly Bill 13 would help conform California Law to HR 3230

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Rocky Chávez (R-Oceanside) announced his reaction to Governor Brown’s signature of Assembly Bill 13. AB 13 requires California public colleges to update their admission policies in order to prohibit veterans from losing their GI Bill benefits while attending college.

“This was only possible with the help from the many stakeholders and supporters over the past two years. The real winner here is the veterans who have returned from service and are continuing their education with their earned GI Bill benefits,” said Chávez.

Several months ago President Obama signed House of Representatives Bill (H.R.) 3230, a measure that, in part, will require all public institutions of higher learning to grant all GI Bill recipients in-state tuition for any course enrolled in after July 1, 2015 or forfeit all Title 38 funding. AB 13 will request the University of California, California Community Colleges and California State University to come into compliance with the new federal law with the hopes of granting in-state tuition to all persons eligible for Title 38 funding (GI Bill beneficiaries), even if the student is not a current California resident.

“It is wonderful to see the Governor taking veterans into account when signing AB 13. As a veteran, I am grateful for the efforts made by the many supporters of this bill,” said Josh Ghering a member of the Wounded Warrior Battalion/Camp Pendleton.

“Our veterans are the best and brightest the United States has to offer. AB 13 is a step in the right direction, as it will encourage our veterans to stay in California and continue contributing to our local communities,” said Chávez.

AB 13 received wide spread support from organizations including the American Legion, AMVETS – Department of California, California Association of County Veteran Service Officers, California State Commanders Veterans Council, Military Officers Association of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars – Department of California and Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council.

Rocky J. Chávez is a retired Marine Corps Colonel, former City Councilman and former Acting Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs. He represents California’s 76th Assembly District, which includes Camp Pendleton, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside and Vista.

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