BILL NUMBER: AB 1226INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Committee on Veterans Affairs (Cook (Chair), Block, Gorell, Nielsen, V. Manuel Prez, Williams, and Yamada) FEBRUARY 18, 2011 An act to amend Section 974 of the Military and Veterans Code, relating to veterans. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1226, as introduced, Committee on Veterans Affairs. Department of Veterans Affairs: annual report: county veterans service officer activities. Existing law requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to annually prepare a report of the activities of county veterans service officers, as specified, and may require each county veterans service officer to submit information required to prepare the report. This bill would expand the reporting requirements of the Department of Veterans Affairs to include the percentage of veterans receiving, and how California ranks among all states in the percentage of veterans receiving, federal veteran compensation and pension benefits. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 974 of the Military and Veterans Code is amended to read: 974. (a) The Department of Veterans Affairs shall annually prepare a report of the activities of countyveteranveterans service officers, and may require each countyveteranveterans service officer to submit information required to prepare the report. The report shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: (1) The number of monthly federal benefit payments obtained on behalf of veterans. (2) The total value of those monthly benefit payments. (3) The average value of those monthly benefit payments. (4) The number of one-time benefit payments obtained, including both single-payment benefits and retroactive payments. (5) The total value of one-time benefit payments obtained. (6) The average value of these one-time benefit payments obtained. (7) The percentage of veterans receiving, and how California ranks among all states in the percentage of veterans receiving, federal veteran compensation and pension benefits. (b) The information required to be included in paragraphs (1) to(6)(7) , inclusive, of subdivision (a) shall be set forth for each county together with a statewide total. (c) The department shall transmit a copy of the report to the Department of Finance, the State Department of Health Services, or a successor department the California Veterans Board, and to each Member of the Legislature.