BILL NUMBER: AB 2681	CHAPTERED  09/14/04

	CHAPTER  504
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 14, 2004
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 14, 2004
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 25, 2004
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 23, 2004
	AMENDED IN SENATE  AUGUST 18, 2004
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 26, 2004

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Negrete McLeod

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2004

   An act to add Section 3522 to the Government Code, relating to
state employees.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2681, Negrete McLeod.  Ralph C. Dills Act:  travel expenses.
   The Ralph C. Dills Act provides for negotiations concerning wages,
hours, and other terms and conditions of employment between a state
employer and representatives of recognized employee organizations,
and authorizes the execution of memoranda of understanding based on
these negotiations.  The act provides that, with respect to state
employees in specified state bargaining units, in any case where
specified provisions of law are in conflict with the provisions of a
memorandum of understanding, the memorandum of understanding shall be
controlling without further legislative action, except as specified.

   Existing law requires, with specified exceptions, prior approval
of the Governor and the Director of Finance for travel outside the
state by state officers and employees in conducting their work.
   This bill would authorize physicians in any state bargaining unit
to negotiate under the Ralph C. Dills Act for preauthorized travel
outside the state for continuing medical education.  It would specify
that the execution of a memorandum of understanding for that purpose
would constitute the approvals required under the provisions of law
requiring prior approval for travel outside the state, except as
specified.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Physicians employed by the state often seek to attend
specialty conferences held outside the state in order to comply with
the continuing medical education requirement imposed by the state.
   (b) Under existing law, state physicians are required to receive
prior approval before attending many out-of-state continuing medical
education classes, but often have not received the approval in time
to attend the classes.
   (c) Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature to assist state
physicians to become more proficient in their field by enhancing
access to out-of-state training.
  SEC. 2.  Section 3522 is added to the Government Code, to read:
   3522.  (a) Physicians in any state bargaining unit may negotiate
under this chapter for preauthorized travel outside the state for
continuing medical education.
   (b) The execution of a memorandum of understanding entered into
pursuant to subdivision (a) shall constitute the approvals required
under Sections 11032 and 11033, except that if the provisions of a
memorandum of understanding require the expenditure of funds, the
provisions shall not become effective unless approved by the
Legislature in the annual Budget Act.