NAACP Calls on Gov. Newsom to Veto Veterans Benefit Bill

February 9, 2026

California Governor Gavin Newsom is considering whether to sign Senate Bill 694, legislation designed to protect veterans from companies that charge fees for helping with federal disability benefits claims. The bill, authored by Senator Bob Archuleta, would strengthen existing federal restrictions by limiting paid assistance to federally accredited providers and imposing stricter penalties for unauthorized access to veterans' information. However, the NAACP California Hawaii State Conference is urging Newsom to veto the measure, contending that it could worsen existing racial disparities by eliminating legitimate paid assistance options that Black veterans and other marginalized groups depend on when free services are overwhelmed or inaccessible.

Who is affected

California veterans, particularly Black veterans and veterans of color
Rural veterans
Veterans with disabilities or service-connected trauma
Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) experiencing staffing shortages
County Veterans Service Officers
For-profit companies providing claims assistance
Federally accredited benefits providers
The NAACP California Hawaii State Conference
Governor Gavin Newsom (decision-maker)

What action is being taken

Governor Newsom is weighing whether to sign or veto SB 694
The NAACP California Hawaii State Conference is urging the governor to reject the measure through a letter
Assemblymembers LaShae Sharp Collins and Jeff Gonzalez are advancing a bipartisan alternative proposal

Why it matters

This legislation addresses a fundamental tension between consumer protection and access to services for veterans. The matter is particularly significant because veterans of color, especially Black veterans, face documented systemic disparities in benefits processing, including lower disability ratings, longer delays, and higher rates of housing instability and unemployment. The outcome will determine whether veterans retain the ability to choose paid assistance when navigating the complex VA benefits system, or whether they will be limited to federally accredited providers that may have capacity constraints. This decision has civil rights implications, as it could either protect vulnerable veterans from exploitation or inadvertently reduce their access to individualized support, potentially deepening existing racial inequities in veterans' benefits outcomes.

What's next

Governor Newsom could act on SB 694 as early as this week (sign or veto)
Assemblymembers LaShae Sharp Collins and Jeff Gonzalez are advancing a bipartisan alternative proposal that would preserve veteran choice while establishing transparency requirements and enforcement mechanisms

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint