SACRAMENTO, CA – A package of bills authored by Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) today passed out of the Appropriations Committee with bi-partisan support. Designed to help returning military veterans find jobs when they return from overseas, as well as to help them vote while away, these bills represent a commitment to the men and women who guard our freedom.

As California struggles to recover from lingering effects of the recession, the flood of experienced returning veterans represents both a tremendous resource for our economic growth, as well as a potential economic hazard if they are allowed to remain unemployed.

“The rate of unemployment for California’s military veterans is as high as 20 percent,” said Assemblyman Gorell. “We have an obligation to help these men and women find jobs and transition back into our economy. These bills create a one-stop shop for veterans seeking benefits and support at the California Department of Veteran Affairs, where most veterans call to seek help.”

In addition to the bills helping veterans find jobs, Gorell also addressed the notorious difficulties that overseas voters often have when trying to vote. “While our service members are overseas protecting our democracy, we must also protect their right to vote in that democracy.”

AB 1931 will improve the California Department of Veterans’ Affairs ability to provide services to our returning veterans by consolidating the many state veterans’ services into a “one-stop shop” under CalVet. This effort has been found to be highly successful in other states, connecting veterans to numerous federal and state resources.

AB 1929 allows the Secretary of state to consider on-screen ballot marking programs for overseas voters and military service members.

AB 1932 will require that state agencies that license health care workers clearly identify the procedures for applying military medical training to satisfy state health care profession licensing, helping veterans transition from military health care jobs to a civilian career.

AB 2130 will help veteran military police officers apply any relevant military training in their efforts to become civilian police officers.