(SACRAMENTO)- Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) has introduced a package of legislative measures aimed at helping homeless veterans around the state to gain additional access to emergency resources and to alleviate bureaucratic barriers for small veteran nonprofit groups.
“Those who have honorably served our country and the organizations that advocate on their behalf, deserve all of the support that we can provide them,” Rodriguez stated. “When veterans have fallen on hard times or are homeless, this is when they must have assurances that lifesaving services will be available for them. I am proud to author AB 85 and AB 94 this session because California veterans deserve better and we have a way to make that happen.”
Assembly Bill 85, also known as the “Thank You for Your Service Act of 2017,”will extend General Assistance benefits provided by counties to honorable discharged veterans who meet specified requirements for up to 12 months in a calendar year. These benefits include emergency food, housing, and food cash or vouchers and are available for individuals not otherwise eligible for state and federal assistance programs.
Assembly Bill 94 will streamline the process for nonprofit veteran organizations that receive a tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service to obtain the same status for State taxes using a short form. This will reduce the time and resourced necessary for small charity to complete and file as charitable trusts.
Assemblymember Rodriguez (Twitter) represents the 52nd Assembly District which includes the cities of Chino, Montclair, Ontario, Pomona and portions of unincorporated Fontana. He is Chair of The Assembly Committee on Public Employees, Retirement, and Social Security.