For Immediate Release Contact: Doug Elmets
February 11, 2026 (916) 329-9180
"Since the Continental Army started in 1776, we have had people preying on veterans, but California sends an important message here, this represents a landmark decision, being able to afford protections to veterans, telling them that California will not stand by and let us be used,” said VFW Department of California State Commander, Dave Kuta during the press conference. "And as California goes, so does the rest of the country. The rest of the country will recognize this. Thank you, from all of the veterans that I represent, to the senators, assemblymembers and the governor himself. It means the world to us and our families.”
Key protections focus on ensuring untrained individuals cannot charge veterans for filing their VA claims, charges that can sometimes be in excess of five times the amount earned by filing the claims.
The VFW Department of California provides free, federally accredited assistance to veterans statewide to file claims and secure benefits for veterans and their dependents. With over 1.8 million veterans in California, these officers are trained and committed to securing the benefits owed to veterans and their dependents as a result of their service to our Nation.
SB 694 was authored by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera), co-authored by Senator Sabrina Cervantes and Assemblymembers Pilar Schiavo and Jeff Gonzalez and co-sponsored by Attorney General Rob Bonta.
Watch the full press conference here: https://www.youtube.com/live/pSDz4l1RWsQ
And read the statement from Governor Newsom’s office here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/02/10/governor-newsom-signs-consumer-protection-bill-cracking-down-on-veteran-fraud-and-abuse-launches-tax-cut-for-vets/
For more information about the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California, please visit vfwca.org.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a nonprofit veterans service organization composed of combat war veterans. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation's largest organization of war veterans and is one of its oldest veterans' organizations. With 2.1 million members located in 7,700 VFW Posts worldwide, the VFW and its Auxiliaries are dedicated to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans service, legislative initiatives, youth scholarships, Buddy Poppy and national military service programs. Annually, the VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 11 million hours of community service to the nation.
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