For Immediate Release                                                                       Contact:  Doug Elmets

February 11, 2026                                                                                               (916) 329-9180

Sacramento, CA – The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Department of California applauds the signing of SB 694 into law, which is landmark consumer protection legislation designed to directly benefit veterans and servicemembers. The new law was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom during an event held at the state capitol on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. VFW Department of California State Commander Dave Kuta attended the event and shared remarks in support of the new law.

"Since the Continental Army started in 1776, we have had people preying on veterans, but California sends an important message here, this represents a landmark decision, being able to afford protections to veterans, telling them that California will not stand by and let us be used,” said VFW Department of California State Commander, Dave Kuta during the press conference. "And as California goes, so does the rest of the country. The rest of the country will recognize this. Thank you, from all of the veterans that I represent, to the senators, assemblymembers and the governor himself. It means the world to us and our families.”

Key protections focus on ensuring untrained individuals cannot charge veterans for filing their VA claims, charges that can sometimes be in excess of five times the amount earned by filing the claims.

The VFW Department of California provides free, federally accredited assistance to veterans statewide to file claims and secure benefits for veterans and their dependents. With over 1.8 million veterans in California, these officers are trained and committed to securing the benefits owed to veterans and their dependents as a result of their service to our Nation.

SB 694 was authored by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera), co-authored by Senator Sabrina Cervantes and Assemblymembers Pilar Schiavo and Jeff Gonzalez and co-sponsored by Attorney General Rob Bonta.

Watch the full press conference here: https://www.youtube.com/live/pSDz4l1RWsQ

And read the statement from Governor Newsom’s office here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/02/10/governor-newsom-signs-consumer-protection-bill-cracking-down-on-veteran-fraud-and-abuse-launches-tax-cut-for-vets/

For more information about the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California, please visit vfwca.org.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a nonprofit veterans service organization composed of combat war veterans. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation's largest organization of war veterans and is one of its oldest veterans' organizations. With 2.1 million members located in 7,700 VFW Posts worldwide, the VFW and its Auxiliaries are dedicated to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans service, legislative initiatives, youth scholarships, Buddy Poppy and national military service programs.  Annually, the VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 11 million hours of community service to the nation.

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CHANGES TO POST NEWSLETTER

Due to the extremely high cost of postage we can no longer to mail the Post Newsletters to each member. Therefore, effective July 2020 the Post will place the current newsletter on our new Webpage, VFW9650.org for review.  A limited number of Newsletters will be made available at the Post for those members who do not have access to a computer.   

 

The VFW is keeping up the fight FOR VETERANS in 2020.          Thank you for all you do to support America's defenders. We simply could not help them transition to civilian life, continue their education, and file their VA claims with the expert assistance of VFW Service Officers without you.          Thank you, Gregory.       We want you to know what a difference you make for veterans of every generation. Your support of the VFW:            Helped veterans receive more than $9 billion in earned benefit payments from the VA, which includes $1.6 billion in benefits paid to veterans in fiscal year 2019.            Helped us administer over $5 million in financial assistance grants for military families in financial straits (since 2004).            Awarded over $7.2 million through the VFW's "Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship" to help more than 1,606 veterans and service members continue their education (since January 2014).         You can see even more ways your contributions help veterans on our VFW Fact Sheet.          Your unwavering respect for the men and women who defend our freedom is very much appreciated. We’re honored to work side-by-side with you to protect veterans’ rights throughout 2020 and beyond.

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