CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

97

CHAPTER 644

Statutes of 2025

[ Approved by Governor October 11, 2025. Filed with Secretary of State October 11, 2025. ]

Introduced by Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs

March 3, 2025

An act to add Section 91 to the Military and Veterans Code, relating to veterans.

Vote: majority   Appropriation: no   Fiscal committee: yes   Local program: no

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

Existing law creates the Department of Veterans Affairs, headed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, imbued with certain powers and duties with regard to providing services and support to veterans and their dependents and survivors. The department is authorized to cooperate and contract with the duly authorized representative of the United States government in carrying out its duties. Existing law provides various benefits to veterans and their dependents including opportunities for veterans to continue their education. Existing federal law provides educational awards for eligible active duty members and veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States.

This bill would create the California State Accrediting Agency for Veterans Education (CSAAVE) within the department. The bill would require the CSAAVE to implement federal requirements and administer state requirements for an organization that is seeking authorization to offer education awards under federal law, as specified. The bill would authorize the department to adopt and amend regulations to implement these provisions. This bill would provide that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has signatory authority for the CSAAVE.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 91 is added to the Military and Veterans Code, to read:

91.

(a) The California State Accrediting Agency for Veterans Education (CSAAVE) is hereby created within the department.

(b) The CSAAVE shall implement federal requirements and administer state requirements for an organization seeking authorization to offer awards under Chapter 36 of Title 38 of the United States Code and Subpart D of Part 21 of Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations for a state approving agency.

(c) (1) The department may adopt regulations to implement Chapter 36 of Title 38 of the United States Code, Subpart D of Part 21 of Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and this section.

(2) The department may amend regulations adopted pursuant to paragraph (1) to account for changes in state or federal statutes and regulations.

(3) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs has signatory authority for the CSAAVE in adherence with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).