District Report May 2023

District Report – May 2023

A Message from Senator Bill Dodd

Dear Neighbor,

This month we celebrate Memorial Day, honoring American military veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Please keep these brave men and women in mind throughout the year.

In Sacramento, we are working on a balanced state budget that protects the progress we’ve made on education and climate while responding to changing economic conditions. My bills on wildfire prevention and to protect consumers from hidden fees have also advanced.

My next virtual town hall is June 28. I’m proud to host Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and others discussing higher education issues.

 

In this Issue:

As always, my office is available to help you with a state agency or answer any questions you might have. You can contact me by visiting my website.

Sincerely,

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Senator Bill Dodd, District 3

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Special Veterans Identification Cards and Access to Benefits

Through their service to our country, veterans have earned a wide range of benefits. However, it can be difficult to verify their service in order to acquire those benefits. In fact, not having proof of military service is one of the biggest obstacles veterans face gaining access to resources, benefits, and services.

Under a new California law veterans can apply for a California driver’s license or ID card with a “Veteran” designation. The new Veteran ID provides proof of military service, making it easier for California veterans to access benefits and services.

 

Applying for the veteran designation on your driver's license or ID card is easy:

  • Stop by your local County Veteran Service Officer with your DD214 for verification. If you need help obtaining your military records, first contact your local County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO).
  • Go to www.dmv.ca.gov, or call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133, to make an appointment. Bring the application form verified by your CVSO and the small $5 application fee.

Learn more about how to get your new Veterans ID card here.


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Legislative Update

I’ve written a number of bills this year addressing critical needs including wildfire safety and consumer protection. The following is an update on key bills that are advancing at this time:

Senate Bill 74 High-Risk App Ban: Bans TikTok and other applications on state-owned devices and phones.

SB 271 Right to Repair: Power wheelchair owners can repair their own equipment, saving time and money.

SB 278 Elder Financial Abuse: Holds institutions accountable for fraud against seniors.

SB 310 Prescribed Burning: Allows cultural burns from Native Americans.

SB 478 Hidden Fees: Outlaws advertising that hides fees, does not disclose full price.

SB 668 State Parks: Allows nonprofit operating and co-management agreements to continue.

SB 808 CSU Harassment: Increases transparency/reporting of cases, as well as reporting settlements to the Legislature.

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In the News

Here are some of the latest news stories that may be of interest to you. As always, please contact my office if you have any questions about state policy or want to express your position or ideas for legislation.