Bill Text: CA ACR105 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Legislature: Wounded Warrior Program.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2014-09-11 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 173, Statutes of 2014. [ACR105 Detail]

Download: California-2013-ACR105-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: ACR 105	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 11, 2014

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Nestande

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2014

   Relative to the Legislature.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 105, as amended, Nestande. Legislature: Wounded Warrior
Program.
   Existing law authorizes certain internship and fellowship
programs, as specified.
   This measure would  establish the Wounded Warrior Program
within the Legislature, modeled after the   honor the
achievements of the  United States House of Representatives'
Wounded Warrior  Program, which shall create fellowship
opportunities for wounded or disabled veterans to work in the offices
of Members of the Assembly, Senators, or committees of the Assembly
or Senate. This measure would require the Wounded Warrior Program to
be administered by the Joint Rules Committee and funded by the
Operating Funds of the Assembly and Senate.   Program
and would encourage the Assembly Committee on Rules to study the
potential of implementing similar programs in the Legislature. 

   Fiscal committee: no.


   
   WHEREAS, The federal Wounded Warrior Program was established in
2008 by the United States House of Representatives to create
employment opportunities in the United States House of
Representatives for wounded or disabled veterans returning from
military service; and  
   WHEREAS, The federal program is intended to serve as an example to
businesses that wounded or disabled veterans are capable of
performing great work and being productive employees; and  
   WHEREAS, The federal program makes available fifty fellowship
positions around the United States in the district offices of Members
of the United States House of Representatives; and  
   WHEREAS, The two-year federal fellowships provide veterans with
experience and exposure to broaden their career opportunities.
Whenever possible, the veterans selected to participate in the
federal program are given the opportunity to transition into
full-time employment; and  
   WHEREAS, A person is eligible to participate in the federal
program if he or she served on active duty since September 11, 2001,
has fewer than 20 years of military service, and has received either
a Memorandum Rating of 30 percent or greater from his or her service
Physical Evaluation Board or a VA service-connected disability rating
of 30 percent or greater; and  
   WHEREAS, The unemployment rate for disabled veterans is markedly
higher than the general population; and  
   WHEREAS, The Council of Economic Advisors published a study in
November 2013 indicating that the unemployment rate for post-9/11
veterans stands at ten percent and increases to 12.5% for those with
major disabilities; and  
   WHEREAS, The federal program has been a tremendous success during
the six years that it has been in existence and has opened new career
paths to many wounded and disabled veterans; now, therefore, be it
 
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature honors the achievements of
the federal Wounded Warrior Program and encourages the Assembly
Committee on Rules to study the potential of implementing similar
programs in the Legislature. 
    
   WHEREAS, The federal Wounded Warrior Program, which is
administered by the Chief Administrative Officer of the United States
House of Representatives, was established to provide employment
opportunities for wounded or disabled veterans in the United States
House of Representatives.  
   WHEREAS, a person is eligible to apply for a position with the
federal program if he or she is a disabled veteran who has served on
active duty since September 11, 2001, has fewer than 20 years of
military service, and has received either a Memorandum Rating of 30
percent or greater from his or her service Physical Evaluation Board
or a VA service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or greater.
An applicant for the federal program must also have been honorably
discharged and possess a high school diploma or GED certificate.
 
   WHEREAS, a wounded or disabled veteran who is selected for the
federal program is employed by the Office of the Chief Administrative
Officer of the United States House of Representatives for a two-year
fellowship and is placed in the office of a Member or committee of
the United States House of Representatives.  
   WHEREAS, the Legislature wishes to establish a Wounded Warrior
Program in this state, modeled after the federal program, to provide
fellowship opportunities for wounded or disabled veterans to work in
the offices of Members of the Assembly, Senators, or committees of
the Assembly or Senate.  
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby establishes the
Wounded Warrior Program within the Legislature, modeled after the
United States House of Representatives' Wounded Warrior Program,
which shall create fellowship opportunities for wounded or disabled
veterans to work in the office of Members of the Assembly, Senators,
or committees of the Assembly or Senate; and be it further 
    
   Resolved, That the Wounded Warrior Program shall be administered
by the Joint Rules Committee and funded by the Operating Funds of the
Assembly and Senate; and be it further 
    
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.