Assembly Bill 596 proposes the creation of a state matching grant program aimed at supporting organizations that provide services to homeless veterans. Specifically, the bill establishes a new section, 20.485 (2) (vv), in the statutes to facilitate state matching grants for eligible entities that receive federal per diem payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs, which can amount to up to $82.73 per day for each veteran housed.

To fund this initiative, the bill allocates $950,000 for each fiscal year of the 2025-26 biennium to the state Department of Veterans Affairs. This appropriation is intended to enhance the financial support available to organizations assisting homeless veterans, thereby improving the services provided to this vulnerable population.