Lake Elsinore Assemblywoman's Financial Relief For Military Personnel Signed Into Law

Assemblywoman Melissa A. Melendez (R-Lake Elsinore) announced today that her bill to expand the financial protections granted under the California Military Families Financial Relief Act to all military reservists and National Guard members has been signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown.  

Assembly Bill 526 will provide California’s servicemen and women financial relief while dealing with a military deployment.

“This bill will provide our military reservists, National Guard members, and their families with peace of mind regarding their finances while they fight for our country,” Melendez said. “Because of their willingness to serve, our servicemen and women deserve every opportunity to be able to serve with distinction and not worry about the burdens they may leave at home.”

Assembly Bill 526 is Melendez’s second piece of legislation signed into law by the Governor since taking office in December. 

This measure expands financial protections to any member of the National Guard or Military Reserves recalled to active duty. Current law provides financial protections for military reservists and National Guard members deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom by allowing them to defer payments, without interest, on a mortgage, credit card, car loans, property taxes and other financial obligations. The bill takes effect January 1, 2014.

Assembly Bill 526 received bipartisan support.

“I appreciate the bipartisan support for our military families,” Melendez said. “Expanding these protections for our service members is not a Republican or Democrat issue, and I am thankful my colleagues in both houses, and now the Governor, feel the same.” 

Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez represents the 67th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar and a portion of Hemet. It also includes the Riverside County unincorporated areas of Lakeland Village, Lake Mathews, Good Hope, Nuevo, and Winchester. --Contributed Content