BILL NUMBER: AB 1509 INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Anderson FEBRUARY 27, 2009 An act to amend Section 850 of the Military and Veterans Code, relating to veterans. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1509, as introduced, Anderson. Veterans. Existing law requires the state to pay a death benefit of $10,000 to the surviving spouse or designated beneficiary of any member of the California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, or the Naval Militia who dies or is killed after March 1, 20003, in the performance of duty, as determined by the Military Department. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to this death benefit provision. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. AB 1509, as introduced, Anderson. Veterans. Existing law requires the state to pay a death benefit of $10,000 to the surviving spouse or designated beneficiary of any member of the California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, or the Naval Militia who dies or is killed after March 1, 20003, in the performance of duty, as determined by the Military Department. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to this death benefit provision. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 850 of the Military and Veterans Code is amended to read: 850. (a) The state shall pay a ten thousand dollar ($10,000) death benefit to the surviving spouse of, or a beneficiary designated by, any member of the California National Guard, State Military Reserve, or Naval Militia who dies or is killed after March 1, 2003, in the performance of duty. (b) The Military Department shall determine if the death occurred in the performance of the member's duty, and shall issue a certificate of benefit eligibility under this section within 20 days of application by the surviving spouse or a designated beneficiary. (c) The state shall pay the death benefitwithinon or before 10 daysof the receipt ofafter receiving the certificate of benefit eligibility from the surviving spouse or a beneficiary designated by the service member. SECTION 1. Section 850 of the Military and Veterans Code is amended to read: 850. (a) The state shall pay a ten thousand dollar ($10,000) death benefit to the surviving spouse of, or a beneficiary designated by, any member of the California National Guard, State Military Reserve, or Naval Militia who dies or is killed after March 1, 2003, in the performance of duty. (b) The Military Department shall determine if the death occurred in the performance of the member's duty, and shall issue a certificate of benefit eligibility under this section within 20 days of application by the surviving spouse or a designated beneficiary. (c) The state shall pay the death benefitwithinon or before 10 daysof the receipt ofafter receiving the certificate of benefit eligibility from the surviving spouse or a beneficiary designated by the service member.