California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package of bipartisan bills on September 28 that touches nearly every stage of a veteran's life in the state, from property taxes to college enrollment to family leave. Taken together, the new laws mark one of the more substantial veteran-benefits updates California has made this year, and they close the loop on legislation that had been sitting on the governor's desk since late summer.
Keeping Disabled Veterans in Their Homes
The headline piece is an expansion of the disabled veteran's property tax exemption, aimed squarely at helping disabled veterans stay in the homes they already own rather than getting priced out by rising assessments. Property tax relief has been one of the most consistent asks from veteran advocacy groups nationwide this year, and California's move adds it to a growing list of states expanding similar protections in 2026.
Cutting Red Tape Between State and County Offices
A second bill modernizes how CalVet, the state's veterans affairs department, coordinates with County Veteran Service Officers, the local staff who actually help veterans file claims and access benefits. Anyone who has tried to navigate a state and a county bureaucracy at the same time knows how much friction that creates. Better coordination between those offices should mean fewer veterans falling through the cracks simply because their paperwork got stuck between agencies.
Paid Family Leave for Guard and Reserve Families
The legislation also clarifies the definition of "covered active duty" under the state's Paid Family Leave program to explicitly include stateside missions, extended training, and activations for National Guard and Reserve members. That's a meaningful fix. Guard and Reserve families have long dealt with deployments and training callups that didn't clearly qualify for the same leave protections as traditional overseas deployments, even though the disruption to family life is often just as real.
Priority College Enrollment for GI Bill and CalVet Students
Rounding out the package, the bills grant priority enrollment at California Community Colleges, California State University campuses, and the University of California to students using the CalVet College Fee Waiver or federal GI Bill benefits. For veterans juggling school around work or family obligations, getting into required courses before they fill up can be the difference between graduating on time and losing benefit eligibility to delays.
Governor Newsom's office noted the bills build on earlier 2026 legislation protecting veterans' access to reproductive care and supporting servicemembers discharged under prior restrictions on transgender military service, part of a broader push this year to shore up protections for California's veteran community.
What California Veterans Should Do Next
None of these benefits apply automatically. Veterans and military families in California should check with their County Veteran Service Officer or CalVet directly to see when each provision takes effect and what documentation is needed. OWF's California veteran benefits guide tracks state-level programs like these so eligible veterans don't miss out.
Financial stability and access to services are a big part of what makes it possible for veterans to stay active and engaged after service. If you're a veteran, service member, or first responder in California looking for a free or discounted race entry, check your eligibility with Operation WarriorFit.