CA AB171

Repeals and replaces Section 972.1 of the Military and Veterans Code to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop a performance-based allocation formula by July 1, 2016, for distributing funds to counties supporting county veterans service officers.

Allocates funds only to counties that establish and maintain a county veterans service officer, comply with reporting requirements, meet training and accreditation standards, and ensure officers become accredited with the federal Department of Veterans Affairs within 18 months of employment or by June 1, 2017.

Requires the department to annually report to the Legislature on the efficacy, return on investment, work volume, and regional impact of subvention funds, including federal monetary benefits obtained for veterans, amounts paid to each county, and recommendations for improvement.

Removes the previous $5.6 million annual appropriation from the General Fund and instead requires funds to be allocated upon legislative appropriation according to the new performance-based formula.

Eliminates urgency statute provisions and the requirement for a 2/3 vote, changing the bill to require only a majority vote with no automatic appropriation.