1010-1051
MILITARY AND VETERANS CODE
SECTION 1010-1051
1010. As used in this chapter: (a) "Home" means the Veterans' Home of California, Yountville, and the Veterans' Home of California, Barstow. (b) "Administrator" means the Administrator of the Veterans' Home of California, Yountville, and the Administrator of each site of the southern California Veterans' Home, including, but not limited to, the Veterans' Home of California, Barstow. (c) "Department" means the Department of Veterans Affairs. (d) "Director" means the Director of Veterans Affairs. (e) "Veteran" means a member of the home. 1011. (a) There is in the department a Veterans' Home of California, Yountville, situated at Veterans' Home, Napa County. (b) (1) The department may establish and construct a second home that shall be situated in the County of Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, or Ventura. The home may be located on one or more sites. The department shall operate the second home concurrently with the first home. (2) The initial site is the Veterans' Home of California, Barstow, situated in Barstow, San Bernardino County. That site may provide skilled nursing care for up to 250 residents. (3) When completed, the second site shall be the Veterans' Home of California, Chula Vista, situated in Chula Vista, San Diego County, pursuant to the recommendations made by the commission established pursuant to former Section 1011.5. (4) When completed, the third site shall be the Veterans' Home of California, Lancaster, situated in Lancaster, Los Angeles County, pursuant to the recommendations made by the commission established pursuant to former Section 1011.5. (5) When completed, the fourth site shall be the Veterans' Home of California, Ventura, situated in the community of Saticoy, Ventura County. (6) There shall be an administrator for, and located at, each site of the southern California home. (7) The department may complete any preapplication process necessary with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for construction of the second home. (c) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the second home is a new state function. The department may perform any or all work in operating the second home by independent contractors, except the overall administration and management of the home. Any and all actions of the department taken before September 17, 1996, that are consistent with this subdivision are hereby ratified and confirmed, it having at all times been the intent of the Legislature that the department be so authorized. (d) There shall be an administrator for each home or homesite, who shall be recommended by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and appointed by the Governor, and shall be located at that home or homesite. The salary for each administrator shall be subject to the approval of the Department of Personnel Administration. 1012. (a) Except as provided in Section 1012.4, the home is for aged and disabled persons who served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America who were discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions from service, who are eligible for hospitalization or domiciliary care in a veterans' facility in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and who are bona fide residents of this state at the time of application; and for the spouses of these persons if all of the following conditions, as are applicable, are satisfied: (1) Space is available. (2) Joint residency will be in the best interests of the home member, as determined by the administrator. (3) The spouse is a bona fide resident of this state at the time of application for admission to the home and either is married to, and has resided with, the home member for at least one year, or is the widow or widower of a recipient of the Medal of Honor or a former prisoner of war (POW). (4) The home member and spouse agree to pay the fees and charges for joint residency, or for a widow or widower, for the residency, that the administrator may establish. (b) (1) Veterans who qualify for benefits under this chapter due to service during a time of war shall be given priority over veterans who qualify due to service during a time of peace. (2) Veterans who qualify for benefits under this chapter who are recipients of the Medal of Honor or who were prisoners of war (POWs) shall be given priority over all other qualified veterans, regardless of the level of care required. (c) A resident spouse may continue residence after the veteran's death. (d) The property of the home shall be used for this purpose. 1012.1. Prior to the admission of a veteran as a member of the home, and at any time during which a veteran is a member of the home, the department may investigate the veterans' financial status to insure that the veteran is unable to pay for necessary hospital or domiciliary care outside of the home. The department may contract with any other state agency to conduct such an investigation in its behalf. 1012.2. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, any member of the home who is receiving an aid and attendance allowance from the United States Veterans' Administration and who has no dependent spouse, child, grandchild, father, or mother shall pay to the home an amount equal to that allowance in all levels of care excluding domiciliary. One hundred percent of the moneys received by the home under this section shall be placed to the credit of the home and shall augment the current appropriation for the support of the home. 1012.3. (a) Members of the home shall pay fees and charges as determined by the department, except that the total of the individual member's fees and charges for any fiscal year shall not be greater than as set forth in the following schedule: (1) Forty-seven and one-half percent of the member's annual income for domiciliary care. (2) Fifty-five percent of the member's annual income for residential care for the elderly or assisted living. (3) Sixty-five percent of the member's annual income for intermediate care. (4) Seventy percent of the member's annual income for skilled nursing care. (b) Nonveteran spouses who become members of the home on or after July 1, 2009, shall pay fees and charges based on the level of care, as described in subdivision (a), or an amount equal to the annual amount of federal per diem received for a veteran member in domiciliary care, whichever is greater. If the nonveteran member's income is less than the annual amount of federal per diem for a veteran member in domiciliary care, the nonveteran member shall pay a maximum of 90 percent of his or her annual income. 1012.4. Notwithstanding Section 1012, the department may arrange by contract or any other form of agreement with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to do both of the following: (a) Authorize veterans, collateral dependents, and other beneficiaries authorized by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, who are not residents of the Veterans' Home of California, Yountville, to receive outpatient medical services at that home. (b) Establish rates for reimbursement from the federal government to the State of California for outpatient services rendered by the Veterans' Home of California, Yountville to veterans who are authorized under subdivision (a). (c) The outpatient services and reimbursement procedures authorized under subdivisions (a) and (b) may be established for the veterans' home located in Barstow, California, and any veterans' home constructed within the state on or after January 1, 2000. 1012.6. The department may accept and process applications from veterans who are seeking residency at a home, beginning on the start date of construction of that particular home. 1013. All property conveyed to and accepted by the State under the provisions of Chapter 101, Statutes of 1897, and any other property conveyed to and accepted for the home shall be the property of the home the same as though the description of such property and acceptance thereof were herein set forth. 1014. The home shall be under the management and control of the department and subject to the policies adopted by the California Veterans Board. 1015. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that installation of air-conditioning at the hospital and related buildings of the home be given high priority whenever any new construction or reconstruction is done, and that this construction or reconstruction be accelerated so as to accomplish the purposes of this section. The department shall, in this connection, consider whether construction of a new hospital facility at the home may be more cost-effective than renovation of the existing facility. The Master Plan for the Veterans' Home of California construction schedule shall be revised to reflect this acceleration. The department shall submit the revised schedule to the Legislature on or before November 1, 1984. For each additional year of the master plan following the 1984-85 fiscal year, the Governor's Budget shall include an appropriation in an amount necessary to complete all projects relating to the installation of air-conditioning as shown in the revised schedule. (b) The sum of ninety-one thousand dollars ($91,000) is hereby appropriated from the Special Account for Capital Outlay in the General Fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs for expenditure during the 1984-85 fiscal year for the purposes of subdivision (a) in accordance with the following schedule: Renovate hospital support services (preliminary plans)................. 16,000 Hospital wards 1, 2, 3A (SNF) (preliminary plans)................. 45,000 Section B (ICF) (preliminary plans)................. 30,000 (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department, through the Office of the State Architect, may prepare and advertise bids for any master plan project in advance of funds being appropriated by the Legislature, but shall not award any contract for construction of the project until construction funds are available and appropriated therefor. (d) No contract for construction of any project related to the master plan shall be entered into prior to the department's obtaining a written commitment from the federal government to fund either 65 percent of the project cost, as approved by the federal government, or the maximum amount available to the state. 1023. (a) The department may sue and be sued in any of the courts of this state. All property held by the department for the home shall be held in trust for the state and for the use and benefit of the home. The administrator shall manage the home and administer its affairs, and, subject to the direction of the director, adopt rules and regulations for the government of the home in conformity, as nearly as possible, to the rules and regulations of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for their facilities. (b) The Director of General Services may lease or let any real property held by the department for the home, and not needed for any direct or immediate purpose of the home, to any entity or person upon terms and conditions determined to be in the best interests of the home. In any leasing or letting, primary consideration shall be given to the use of real property for agricultural purposes, and except as provided in Section 1048, all moneys received in connection therewith shall be deposited in the General Fund to the credit of, and shall augment the current appropriation for the support of, the home. 1024. The department may conduct such investigation as may be required to determine the total value of the property and assets of any veteran applying for admission to the home, and may contract with any other state agency to conduct such an investigation in its behalf. 1025. The home shall be open at any time to the inspection of the Director of the United States Veterans Administration or his authorized representative. 1026. The records, reports, and accounts kept by the home shall conform, as nearly as possible to the requirements of the United States Veterans Administration. 1030.1. The department may enter into contracts with the United States or any agency thereof, any governmental agency, any person, or any corporation for the performance of services or manufacture of articles by disabled members of the home. The proceeds of any such contract, less the actual operating expenses, shall be paid to the individual disabled veterans who perform the services or labor. 1030.2. The department may enter into contracts with the United States or any agency thereof and any other governmental agency for the purpose of providing courses of vocational training for disabled veterans who have been bona fide residents of this state for five years. 1031. All moneys received by the State from the United States for the use of the home shall be placed to the credit of and shall augment the current appropriation for the support of the home. 1032. The department shall fix a schedule of wages for veterans who are employed at the home, subject to the approval of the Director of Finance. 1033.1. The department shall pay the premiums in behalf of veterans which are required to provide coverage for such veterans under the medical assistance provisions contained in an act of Congress entitled "Social Security Amendments of 1965" (Pub. L. 89-97), from funds appropriated for the support of the home. 1033.2. If the total amount collected for reimbursements for Medi-Cal and Medicare services provided in any fiscal year by a veterans' home exceeds the budgeted reimbursements for that home, the additional funds collected shall be used to repay any unpaid General Fund loans provided to the veterans' home in prior fiscal years for the operation of that home. 1034. Except money received from this State for disbursement, all moneys received by the home, or by any officer of the home, including pension and other moneys belonging to veterans and other trust moneys, shall be immediately paid to the executive officer of the home. On or before the tenth day of each month the executive officer of the home shall forward to the State Treasurer all moneys in his possession, except pension and other moneys belonging to veterans, trust moneys, the post funds, and the emergency fund, hereinafter mentioned, together with a statement of the sources from which the same have been received. The moneys shall be deposited by the State Treasurer to the credit of the General Fund of the State; provided, however, that abatements of support expenditures shall be credited to the support appropriation current at the time of collection. 1035. (a) All moneys and other personal property of any veteran held by the home, or by its authority, or left by the veteran upon the premises of the home, shall, upon the death of the veteran, be held by the home in trust to be paid or delivered by the home upon proof determined to be proper to the administrator, directly and without probate, to the heirs of the veteran, except that the administrator may disburse funds of any deceased veteran for payment of funeral expenses or any obligation owed to the home, including the cost of any care rendered by the home in excess of the fees paid by the veteran to the home. Any funds of the deceased veteran representing the cost of care rendered by the home in excess of the fees paid by the veteran to the home shall be paid to the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund. This subdivision applies only to veterans becoming members of the home on or after January 1, 1984. (b) All moneys and other personal property of any veteran held by the home, or by its authority, or left by the veteran upon the premises of the home, shall, upon the death of the veteran, be held by the home in trust to be paid or delivered by the home upon proof determined to be proper to the administrator, directly and without probate, to the spouse, children, grandchildren, or father or mother of the veteran, except that the administrator may disburse funds of any deceased veteran for payment of funeral expenses or any obligation owed to the home. This subdivision applies only to veterans who have become members of the home prior to January 1, 1984. 1035.05. (a) All moneys and other personal property of any veteran other than that described in Section 1035 shall, upon the death of the veteran, first be paid to the administrator for payment of funeral expenses or any obligation owed to the home remaining unpaid after the disbursement required by Section 1035 is completed; and second, in the absence of an heir or heirs or a will, pass and descend to and become the property of the home for credit to the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund. If the total value of that property in the state over and above any amounts due the veteran for services in the Armed Forces of the United States or from any other employment does not exceed three thousand dollars ($3,000), the home may, without procuring letters of administration, collect any money due the decedent, receive the property of the decedent, and have any evidences of interest, indebtedness, or right transferred to it upon furnishing the person, representative, corporation, official, or body owning the money, having custody of the property, or acting as registrar or transfer agent of the evidence of that interest, indebtedness, or right, with an affidavit showing the right of the home to receive the money or property or to have the evidences transferred. The receipt of the home shall constitute sufficient acquittance for any payment of money or delivery of property made pursuant to this section and shall fully discharge that person, representative, corporation, officer, or body from any further liability with reference thereto, without the necessity of inquiring into the truth of any of the facts stated in the affidavit. However, that payment or transfer does not preclude administration when necessary to enforce payment of the decedent's debts, and the administrator may, upon proof determined to be sufficient, pay the debts directly and without administration. This subdivision applies only to veterans becoming members of the home on or after January 1, 1984. (b) All moneys and other personal property of any veteran other than that described in Section 1035 shall, upon the death of the veteran, in the absence of a spouse, children, grandchildren, or father or mother, pass and descend to and become the property of the home for credit to the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund. If the total value of that property in the State of California over and above any amounts due the veteran for services in the Armed Forces of the United States or from any other employment does not exceed three thousand dollars ($3,000), the home may, without procuring letters of administration or awaiting probate of any will, collect any money due the decedent, receive the property of the decedent and have any evidences of interest, indebtedness, or right transferred to it upon furnishing the person, representative, corporation, official, or body owning the money, having custody of that property, or acting as registrar or transfer agent of the evidence of that interest, indebtedness, or right, with an affidavit showing the right of the home to receive that money or property or to have those evidences transferred. The receipt of the home shall constitute sufficient acquittance for any payment of money or delivery of property made pursuant to this section and shall fully discharge the person, representative, corporation, officer, or body from any further liability with reference thereto, without the necessity of inquiring into the truth of any of the facts stated in the affidavit. However, the payment or transfer does not preclude administration when necessary to enforce payment of the decedent's debts, and the administrator may, upon proof determined to be sufficient, pay those debts directly and without administration. This subdivision shall apply only to veterans who have become members of the home prior to January 1, 1984. (c) For the purpose of application to this section of the provisions of the Probate Code governing distribution of property, the home shall be deemed to be a beneficiary of the decedent. 1035.1. (a) Any will executed by a veteran who was a member of the home at the time of death, whether executed prior or subsequent to January 1, 1984, which purports to leave any part of the veteran's estate to any officer or employee of the home, unless that officer or employee would be eligible to take by intestate succession under the probate laws of this state, is void as to that provision. This subdivision shall apply only to veterans becoming members of the home on or after January 1, 1984. (b) Any will heretofore or hereafter executed by a veteran, whether executed before or after admission to the home, shall not be valid as to any provision therein contained which purports to dispose, either directly or indirectly, of moneys or personal property to other than the spouse, children, grandchildren, or father or mother of the veteran. This section does not apply to any veteran who is not a member of the home at the time of death. This subdivision shall apply only to veterans who became members of the home prior to January 1, 1984. 1035.2. Any personal property held by the home pursuant to Section 1035 which the administrator determines to be of no substantial monetary value may be immediately delivered to any heir, devisee, or legatee under a will of the deceased veteran, or to any other interested person who makes application therefor, or if unclaimed within one year, may be destroyed or used, as the administrator directs, for the benefit of the home or its members. 1035.3. (a) If no will or heir is discovered within two years after the death of the veteran, any moneys not exceeding three thousand dollars ($3,000) held by the home pursuant to Section 1035 and not paid or otherwise delivered to the heir or heirs or pursuant to the will of the deceased veteran, or otherwise disbursed by the administrator pursuant to Section 1035, shall be paid to the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund. If no will or heir is discovered within five years after the death of the veteran, any moneys exceeding three thousand dollars ($3,000) held by the home pursuant to Section 1035 and not paid or otherwise delivered to the heir or heirs or pursuant to the will of the deceased veteran, or otherwise disbursed by the administrator pursuant to Section 1035, shall be paid to the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund. This subdivision applies only to veterans becoming members of the home on or after January 1, 1984. (b) If no spouse, child, grandchild, or father or mother is discovered within two years after the death of the veteran, any moneys not exceeding three thousand dollars ($3,000) held by the home pursuant to Section 1035 and not paid or otherwise delivered to the spouse, children, grandchildren, or father or mother, or otherwise disbursed by the administrator pursuant to Section 1035, shall be paid to the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund. If no spouse, child, grandchild, or father or mother is discovered within five years after the death of the veteran, any moneys exceeding three thousand dollars ($3,000) held by the home pursuant to Section 1035 and not paid or otherwise delivered to the spouse, children, grandchildren, or father or mother, or otherwise disbursed by the administrator pursuant to Section 1035, shall be paid to the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund. This subdivision applies only to veterans who have become members of the home prior to January 1, 1984. 1035.4. (a) All personal property held or received by the home pursuant to Section 1035, other than moneys or property described in Section 1035.2, which is unclaimed by, or not otherwise delivered to, the heir or heirs or pursuant to the will of a deceased veteran within one year after death, may be sold by the administrator by public auction or private sale. The sale shall take place at a public place in the home, and notice of the sale shall be posted in that place at least 10 days previous to the date of the sale. The proceeds of the sale shall be credited to the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund. This subdivision applies only to veterans becoming members of the home on or after January 1, 1984. (b) All personal property held or received by the home pursuant to Section 1035, other than moneys or property described in Section 1035.2, which is unclaimed by, or not otherwise delivered to, the spouse, children, grandchildren, or father or mother of a deceased veteran within one year after death, may be sold by the administrator by public auction or private sale. The sale shall take place at a public place in the home, and notice of the sale shall be posted in that place at least 10 days previous to the date of the sale. The proceeds of the sale shall be credited to the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund. This subdivision applies only to veterans who have become members of the home prior to January 1, 1984. 1035.5. (a) The administrator shall provide to the heirs or devisees of every deceased veteran who became a member of the home on or after January 1, 1984, a statement or accounting of all charges made against the veteran's money or personal property under Sections 1035 to 1035.4, inclusive. (b) Every veteran applying for membership in the home on or after January 1, 1984, shall be furnished a written explanation of the limitations and restrictions on the right to dispose of money and personal property contained in Sections 1035 to 1035.4, inclusive. 1035.6. (a) The administrator shall provide each member of the home with a quarterly statement or accounting of all charges for the costs of care rendered to the member in excess of the member fee, as defined in subdivision (b). The quarterly statement or accounting of charges shall clearly indicate that the charges for the excess costs of care are provided to the member for informational purposes only. (b) "Costs of care in excess of the member fee" means all costs that are not covered by the member contribution fee, including, but not limited to, the unreimbursed costs of medical or dental services rendered to the member, either by the home or under contract with the home. The Department of Veterans Affairs shall promulgate regulations specifying the costs that are in excess of the member contribution fee and constitute the unreimbursed costs of care. 1035.7. (a) Upon admission to a California veterans' home, the administrator of each home shall provide written notice to the veteran informing him or her of costs of care that may be incurred in excess of the member contribution fee. The notification shall: (1) Include an explanation of circumstances under which the member may incur costs that are in excess of the contribution fee. (2) Specifically indicate that these excess costs of care are costs in addition to, or above and beyond, the member contribution fee. (3) Provide examples of "excess costs of care that are frequently incurred by veterans." (4) Inform the member that he or she will receive a quarterly accounting statement of the total excess costs of care, but that the statement is provided for informational purposes only. (5) Inform the veteran that, if he or she is a resident of the home at the time of death, the home may disburse his or her moneys or personal property for payment of unreimbursed excess costs of care. (6) Include a statement advising the member to seek counsel from a legal expert to protect his or her assets. (7) Include the terms and conditions upon which the member fees and costs can be changed. (b) The notification shall require the signature of the veteran that acknowledges that he or she has read and understands the notification. (c) The notification shall be written in plain, straightforward language, avoiding technical terms as much as possible, and using a coherent and easily readable style. (d) A copy of the notification, containing all the information specified in subdivision (a) and titled in large font "NOTICE TO RESIDENTS," shall be conspicuously posted in each veterans' home by the administrator of the veterans' home. 1036. The veterans may voluntarily deposit money with the home, which the home shall receive and keep without charge as a trust fund. 1037. The money belonging to a veteran and voluntarily deposited with the home may be withdrawn, in whole or in part, at the will of the veteran. 1038. All money deposited with the home for a veteran shall be paid to him or her on demand, upon his or her discharge or voluntary departure from the home. If the money is not so demanded at the time of his or her discharge or departure or within a period of two years thereafter, if the amount does not exceed three thousand dollars ($3,000), or within a period of five years thereafter, if the amount exceeds three thousand dollars ($3,000) either by the veteran, or, in the event of the veteran's death after his or her discharge or departure, by the veteran's heirs, devisees, legatees, or qualified executor or administrator of his or her estate, the money shall be paid to the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund. 1038.1. All personal property other than money left at the home by a veteran at the time of his discharge or voluntary departure therefrom, unclaimed within a period of one year therefrom, either by such veteran or, in the event of his decease after his discharge or departure, by his heirs, devisees, legatees, or qualified executor or administrator of his estate, shall be sold in the manner described in Section 1035.4 and the proceeds paid to the post fund. 1038.5. Any money deposited with the home by a veteran shall be credited with interest at no more than the State Monetary Investment Fund rate, less 0.75 percent, and shall be paid to the veteran or to his or her heirs, devisees, legatees, or the qualified executor or the administrator of his or her estate pursuant to Section 1037 or Section 1038. 1039.3. The administrator, subject to the approval of the secretary, may accept cash donations or other gifts to be used for the welfare of the veterans. Cash shall be paid into trust funds as the administrator may establish, and shall be expended for promoting the welfare of the veterans and for the purpose designated by the donor. 1042. All accrued interest on money turned over to the executive officer and retained by him or her under this chapter shall be accounted for by the executive office and deposited to the credit of the post fund and used for the common benefit of veterans. 1042.1. If any check is drawn upon any trust fund of the home, except checks drawn by members of the home on their own accounts, and remains unclaimed, or is not cashed, for a period of one year, it shall be canceled and the amount thereof shall be turned over to the executive officer and be deposited to the credit of the post fund and used for the common benefit of the members of the home. 1043. With the exception of officers and employees and their families, no person shall be admitted to reside in the home, who is not eligible under Section 1012. 1044. The administrator, in accordance with the policies adopted by the California Veterans Board and subject to the direction of the director, may adopt rules and regulations governing the admission of applicants and may prescribe the conditions upon which they may enter and remain with the home. 1044.5. (a) A resident of a veterans home has the right to complain and otherwise exercise the freedom of expression and assembly guaranteed by the Sections 2 and 3 of Article I of the California Constitution and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The administrator of the home shall inform each resident in writing at the time of admission of the right to complain to the administrator about home accommodations and services. A notice of the right to complain shall be posted in the home. The administrator shall also inform each resident of the right to complain to the board or to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Each resident of a home shall be encouraged and assisted, throughout the period of stay in the home, to understand and exercise the rights of freedom of expression and assembly as a resident and as a citizen. To this end, the resident may voice grievances and recommend changes in policies and services to home staff, other residents, and outside representatives of the resident's choice, free from restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal, including retaliatory eviction. (b) An administrator may not retaliate against any resident who exercises the right to voice grievances by evicting the resident. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that any eviction within 45 days of the exercise by a resident of the right to voice grievances is retaliatory. This presumption does not apply in favor of a resident who has failed to pay maintenance fees unless the resident pays the overdue fees. 1045. Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the State from transferring the property and management of the home to the United States for a home of similar character. 1046. (a) If it appears necessary or proper that a guardian or conservator of the estate of a veteran be appointed, the court in its discretion may, upon application of the administrator, or officer designated by the administrator, appoint the home as guardian or conservator of the veteran's estate and cause letters of guardianship or conservatorship of the estate to be issued to the home. (b) For the purposes of this chapter, the home is a corporation and, acting through an officer designated by the administrator, may act as guardian or conservator of estates, assignee, receiver, depositary, or trustee under appointment of any court or by authority of any law of this state and may transact business in that capacity in the same manner as an individual, and for this purpose may sue and be sued in any court of this state. (c) The home shall be appointed as guardian, conservator, assignee, receiver, depositary, or trustee without bond. The home shall receive reasonable fees for its expenses for filing fees and attorneys' fees. The fees paid to the home may be used as a trust account from which may be drawn expenses for filing fees and attorneys' fees in all estates it undertakes to administer. Whenever the balance remaining in the trust account exceeds a sum determined to be necessary by the administrator for the payment of the filing fees and attorneys' fees incurred in the various estates, the excess shall be paid annually into the post fund of the home. (d) The home, when acting as guardian or conservator of a veteran, may deposit the funds of the estate in the special deposit fund of the home, and may invest and reinvest the funds in securities which are legal investments for savings banks in this state. 1047. (a) The administrator shall maintain a Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund that shall be used, at the discretion of the administrator and subject to the approval of the secretary, to provide for the general welfare of the veterans, including, but not limited to, providing for operations of the Veterans' Home Exchange, hobby shop, motion picture theater, library, band, and any other function that is operated for the morale, welfare, and recreation of the veterans, and to pay for newspapers, chapel expenses, welfare and entertainment expenses, sport activities, celebrations, and any other activity that is for the morale, welfare, and recreation of the veterans. (b) Money in the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund may not be expended for any of the following: (1) Medical treatments or any other related treatment. (2) Maintenance of the physical plant of the home. (3) Any function, operation, or activity that is not directly related to the morale, welfare, or recreation of the veterans. (c) Appropriations from the General Fund for the purposes described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) may not be reduced for the purpose of, or to have the effect of, requiring increased expenditures from the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund for those described purposes. (d) The administrator shall prepare an itemized report that is organized by category and accounts for all expenditures made from the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund during the previous fiscal year and shall submit the report on or before August 20 of each year to all of the following: (1) The secretary. (2) The fiscal committees of the Assembly and the Senate. (3) The committees of the Assembly and the Senate that have subject matter jurisdiction over veterans' affairs. (4) The Veterans' Home Allied Council. (e) The Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund for the Veterans' Home of California, Yountville, shall maintain a reserve in the amount of two million dollars ($2,000,000). The reserve shall be invested in securities, upon the advice of the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund Advisory Committee and with the approval of the administrator and the secretary. 1048. (a) The Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund shall include proceeds from the California Veterans Homes Fund, operations of the Veterans' Home Exchange, revenue derived from the issuance of prisoner-of-war special license plates pursuant to Section 5101.5 of the Vehicle Code, all funds derived from golf course green fees and range ball fees, all donations to the fund, interest earned on invested funds, funds derived from the estates of deceased members, and any other moneys or property described in this chapter, including, but not limited to, moneys and properties received by the home from estate assets located outside the home, regardless of amount. (b) The administrator shall prepare an itemized report that is organized by category and accounts for all funds deposited into the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund and transmitted to the Controller under Section 1047 during the previous fiscal year and shall submit the report on or before August 20 of each year to all of the following: (1) The secretary. (2) The fiscal committees of the Assembly and the Senate. (3) The committees of the Assembly and the Senate that have subject matter jurisdiction over veterans affairs. (4) The Veterans' Home Allied Council. 1049. Moneys in the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund maintained under subdivision (a) of Section 1047 may be used to establish or operate a Veterans' Home Exchange that may conduct any lawful endeavor which, in the judgment of the administrator, will benefit the veterans, except as prohibited under subdivision (b) of Section 1047. The administrator may establish the Veterans' Home Exchange to operate at a profit. 1050. The Veterans' Home Allied Council, which is established pursuant to the constitution of the Allied Council, Veterans' Home of California, and which is composed of members of the home, is hereby recognized as an established advisory body to the administrator. 1051. (a) There is hereby established in the State Treasury the California Veterans Homes Fund to receive those amounts transferred to the fund pursuant to Section 18811 of the Revenue and Taxation Code. (b) Any funds remaining in the Veterans' Quality of Life Fund, as established by Section 2 of Chapter 143 of the Statutes of 2005, shall be transferred to the California Veterans Homes Fund established by subdivision (a).