The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) The California Military Department exists to provide a military organization in California with the capability to protect the lives and property of the people of the state during periods of natural disaster and civil disturbances, and to perform other functions required by the Military and Veterans Code or as directed by the Governor.

(b) The California Military Department performs an essential public purpose in protecting the health, safety, and property of California’s citizens and, in order to fulfill its objectives, it is necessary for the California Military Department to have sufficient service members to deal with natural or human-caused disasters and emergencies.

(c) The state-sponsored education benefit is an important tool used to ensure that the California Military Department attracts and retains highly competent and capable service members who stand ready to immediately respond to the state’s call.

(d) The California Military Department GI Bill is an investment in the men and women who serve California faithfully. This incentive ensures that members of the California National Guard and the California State Military Reserve are not placed at an educational disadvantage when compared to their active duty or reserve component counterparts.

(e) The Legislature and the California Military Department believe that every service member who takes the oath to serve this great state needs to be afforded the best opportunity to achieve a higher education.

(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 547, Sec. 4. (AB 2722) Effective January 1, 2019. Article conditionally operative as provided in Section 69999.28.)