Asm. Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City), a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), explains how military veterans apply for benefits in the state of California during a SB 694 debate on Sept. 4 at the State Capitol. Wilson’s husband and one of her two sons are veterans.
California’s Senate Bill (SB) 694 — written to protect veterans and service members from predatory practices — is expected to receive a full vote by the Senate when the legislative session reconvenes in January 2026, according to the bill’s author, Sen. Bob Archuleta (D-Los Angeles).
The bill’s language prohibits “Claim Sharks,” referring to some unaccredited individuals and nonprofits, from charging for Veteran Affairs (VA) benefit claims assistance and from charging fees that exceed what VA-accredited professionals are allowed to charge.
“We have reached an agreement on SB 694, and the bill will immediately move to the Senate Floor in January. Veterans have earned and deserve our support,” stated Archuleta, an Army veteran who served in the 82nd Airborne Division.
“They have sacrificed so much for this country, and we’re coming together to put an end to the deceptive practices that target them. This legislation deserves a vote, and this bill will get its day in the legislature as soon as we return in the new year,” Archuleta said in a Sept. 15 statement.
SB 694 was first introduced in February. On Sept. 9, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-0 to advance the bill to the Committee on Rules for consideration.
If the bill passes in the legislature, SB 694 will empower the California Attorney General to prosecute those who violate the law and take advantage of vulnerable veterans.
The bill has received bipartisan support in both the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee and the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Some members of the California Legislative Black Caucus have also thrown their support behind the bill.
Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins (D-La Mesa) is a co-author of the bill.
Sharp-Collins has been a strong advocate for military members and veterans through her legislative work, serving on the California Assembly’s Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs.
Sharp-Collins acknowledged the years of discrimination against Black veterans by the VA and asked the agency to be “timely and equitable” when it comes to having their claims processed, which she said has a “major backlog in California.”
“It often requires Black veterans to wait years to receive their benefits,” Sharp-Collins said. “So, Black veterans have the highest denial rates, meaning after years of waiting due to the backlog, they are still not receiving benefits. I do not like the idea of companies charging fees for anything that is otherwise free services.”
Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City) also supports SB 694.
Wilson’s said her husband, Chavares Wilson, is a retired Air Force Reserve Technical Sergeant and one of their two sons served in the Marine Corps.
Wilson, whose district covers parts of Solano County, said the area she represents has taken some steps to adequately serve veterans, but more needs to be done for all veterans around the state.
“I strongly encourage this body (in the Assembly) to take our veterans seriously and ensure that next year we have additional bills on the subject that allow veterans in California to be first in line for their benefits,” Wilson said.
California is home to over 160,000 Black veterans, which represents approximately 9% of the total veteran population in California. California is also home to the largest veteran population of any state, with estimates ranging from about 1.6 million to 1.8 million veterans, according to the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet).
Assemblymember Carl DeMaio (R-San Diego) voted in favor of the bill on Sept. 4, when it received a 68-0 margin on the lower house’s floor.
“If you look at some of these companies, it’s outrageous what they charge,” DeMaio said.
The bill has received backlash from some veterans and groups such as Vets Know the Facts, an advocacy group committed to providing information and fighting misinformation about government policies that affect veterans’ lives.
Other organizations that oppose SB 694 include the Black Veterans Empowerment Council, Purple Heart Homes, United Veteran Benefits Agency, and Veterans Guardian.
Freshman Assemblymember David Tangipa (R-Clovis) said his father served in the military. His father is a disabled U.S. veteran. Tangipa, who said he has had to “deal personally” with VA for spousal benefits for his mother, supports SB 694 and voted in favor of the bill on Sept. 4, but stated that the measure still needs work.
“The problem is we and the government have not taken care of the veterans as much as we could because we haven’t given back the services or hired more Veteran Affairs offices to help them,” Tangipa said. “I am not in opposition to this bill. I am simply asking for more time to go all the way upstream and fix the issue.”
