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CaliforniaSB 6942025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Veteran service providers.

Sponsored By: Bob Archuleta (Democratic), Sabrina Cervantes (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 10 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Lower or banned fees for VA help

You cannot be charged a private fee to prepare, present, or prosecute a VA benefits claim, except where federal law allows it. Starting July 1, 2024, anyone helping you get public social services, including VA benefits, cannot charge an unreasonable fee. For federal VA benefits, fees above what a VA‑accredited attorney or claims agent may charge are treated as unreasonable. California‑licensed attorneys may charge for representing you in appeals or court.

Protect service members’ IDs and rights

Businesses cannot access your Common Access Card, ask for its PIN, or make you log in to DoD, VA, or DHS systems for a sale. Any sale that breaks this rule is void. Businesses also cannot make you waive state or federal rights to get a military or veteran discount.

Stronger debt protections for service members

Lenders, insurers, and credit reporters cannot use your applying for or getting a payment stay as the only reason to deny or worsen credit or insurance. Debt collectors cannot pretend to be military or use a rank. After a debt is due, they cannot contact your unit or chain of command without your written OK signed after the due date.

Contractors can’t negotiate your home loan

Starting July 1, 2024, mortgage brokers and lenders cannot use a home‑improvement contractor to negotiate loan terms for a loan secured by your home. Contractors may still make lawful referrals. Lenders may buy executed home‑improvement contracts only when other laws allow.

Bold ad notices on finance offers

Starting July 1, 2024, solicitations for consumer financial products must name the sender and give contact info. They must show, in at least 18‑point bold, “THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO MAKE ANY PAYMENT OR TAKE ANY OTHER ACTION IN RESPONSE TO THIS OFFER.” Mailed offers must print a 16‑point bold notice on the front of the envelope. Some mass ads and offers already covered by federal rules are excluded.

Clear warnings at veterans benefits events

Starting July 1, 2024, ads and speakers at veterans‑benefit events must clearly say if they are not allowed to file Aid and Attendance claims or represent you. They must also state when the event is not sponsored by VA, CalVet, or a congressionally chartered veterans group, and that any insurance promoted is not endorsed. The notice must match the size of the word “veteran” in ads and be read and handed out at the start. Licensed VA agents and attorneys are exempt when offering those services.

No cash deals for future benefits

Starting July 1, 2024, companies cannot advertise or sell cash offers that buy your right to future pension or veterans’ benefits. This stops deals that trade lifelong income for quick cash.

No hidden fees in listed prices

Starting July 1, 2024, businesses must show prices that include all mandatory fees. Taxes and government fees, and reasonable shipping or delivery, can be listed separately. Restaurants and grocery or delivery services must clearly show any required food or drink fees with an explanation. Broadband providers that use the FCC consumer label meet this rule.

One standard for clear disclosures

Starting July 1, 2025, any notice or ad that must be “clear and conspicuous” must meet one legal definition. This helps make required disclosures easier to read and compare.

Service members can sue; crimes apply

If someone breaks these protections, you can recover your actual money losses. Courts can also make them pay your lawyer and costs. Violations are misdemeanors, with up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Bob Archuleta

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sabrina Cervantes

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Jeff Jeff Gonzalez

    Republican • House

  • Pilar Schiavo

    Democratic • House

  • Catherine Stefani

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 176 • No: 6

Senate vote • 1/26/2026

Item WORF — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 25 • No: 6

legislature vote • 9/9/2025

Vote in CS53

Yes: 12 • No: 0

House vote • 9/4/2025

Item 190 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 68 • No: 0

legislature vote • 8/29/2025

Vote in CX25

Yes: 14 • No: 0

legislature vote • 7/8/2025

Vote in CX13

Yes: 11 • No: 0

legislature vote • 7/1/2025

Vote in CX38

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/23/2025

Item 145 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 36 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/28/2025

Vote in CS66

Yes: 4 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 1, Statutes of 2026.

    2/10/2026Senate

  2. Approved by the Governor.

    2/10/2026legislature

  3. Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.

    1/30/2026legislature

  4. Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 25. Noes 6. Page 3280.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.

    1/26/2026Senate

  5. Consent granted to take up without reference to file.

    1/26/2026Senate

  6. Ordered to unfinished business.

    1/26/2026Senate

  7. Withdrawn from committee. (Ayes 29. Noes 9. Page 3280.)

    1/26/2026Senate

  8. From committee: Be re-referred to Com. on RLS. (Ayes 12. Noes 0. Page 2753.) (September 9). Re-referred to Com. on RLS.

    9/9/2025Senate

  9. From committee: Be re-referred to Com. on JUD. pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(d). (Ayes 5. Noes 0. Page 2570.) Re-referred to Com. on JUD.

    9/8/2025Senate

  10. Re-referred to Com. on RLS. pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(d).

    9/8/2025Senate

  11. In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.

    9/4/2025Senate

  12. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 68. Noes 0. Page 2927.) Ordered to the Senate.

    9/4/2025House

  13. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    9/2/2025House

  14. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (August 29).

    8/29/2025House

  15. August 20 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file.

    8/20/2025House

  16. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (July 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    7/9/2025House

  17. Coauthors revised.

    7/9/2025House

  18. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (July 1). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.

    7/2/2025House

  19. From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on M. & V.A.

    6/23/2025House

  20. Referred to Com. on M. & V.A.

    5/29/2025House

  21. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.

    5/23/2025House

  22. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 36. Noes 0. Page 1137.) Ordered to the Assembly.

    5/23/2025Senate

  23. Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar.

    5/20/2025Senate

  24. From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to consent calendar.

    5/19/2025Senate

  25. Set for hearing May 19.

    5/9/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Chaptered

    2/10/2026

    HTML

  • Enrolled

    1/27/2026

    HTML

  • Amended Assembly

    6/23/2025

    HTML

  • Introduced

    2/21/2025

    HTML

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