CA AB1596

Appropriates $3,000,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs for grants and contracts with veterans service organizations over a five-year period beginning in fiscal year 2017-18.

Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish criteria, regulations, and reporting requirements for any veterans service organization it contracts with.

Mandates that veterans service organizations contracting with the department have a physical presence in California and be registered with both the Secretary of State and Attorney General.

Requires the department to prescribe policies, procedures, rules, and regulations by June 1, 2017 regarding operational requirements including data reporting systems, financial record maintenance, and documentation for contracted activities.

Implementation using General Fund appropriation is contingent upon the annual budget for county veterans service officers reaching a minimum of $5,000,000.