AB 541

This bill eliminates a veteran employment grant program and creates a

veterans employment and entrepreneurship grant program. Under current law, the

Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) may grant certain amounts to employers for

each veteran or disabled veteran the employers hire, subject to specific limitations.

This bill eliminates that grant program. Instead, the bill creates a program

under which DVA may, beginning in the 2016-17 fiscal year, make up to $500,000

in grants each year to veterans, employers, and nonprofit organizations to improve

employment outcomes for veterans in this state. Specifically, the bill authorizes DVA

to award grants to assist veteran entrepreneurs, to give employers in this state

incentives to hire veterans, especially disabled veterans, to help fund employment

training for veterans, especially disabled veterans, and for other programs or

purposes as determined by DVA.

The bill requires DVA to promulgate rules establishing the goals grant

recipients must meet before receiving any grant moneys. The bill also requires DVA

to submit an annual report concerning the grant program to the governor and the

legislature.