BILL NUMBER: AB 2550 CHAPTERED 09/27/06 CHAPTER 494 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE SEPTEMBER 27, 2006 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR SEPTEMBER 27, 2006 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY AUGUST 22, 2006 PASSED THE SENATE AUGUST 16, 2006 AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 7, 2006 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2006 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 20, 2006 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 27, 2006 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Blakeslee FEBRUARY 23, 2006 An act to amend Sections 18973.5, 18974.5, and 18978 of, and to add Section 18973.1 to, the Government Code, relating to military benefits. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2550, Blakeslee National Guard: benefits. Existing civil service law requires that veterans be allowed preference points for civil service employment. This bill would require that any member of the California National Guard or a widow, widower, or spouse of a member, who meets specified requirements, be awarded preference points, as provided, for any civil service employment. This bill would also make various conforming changes. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that all men and women faithfully serving their state and nation receive those rights and benefits commensurate with their service, training, and overseas assignments, and to prevent undue hardship and economic loss on themselves and their families due to current and long-term enlistment requirements. SEC. 2. Section 18973.1 is added to the Government Code, to read: 18973.1. (a) Except as provided in Section 18978, and in addition to the veterans' credits set forth in Section 18973, in the case of all other entrance examinations, there shall be allowed a credit for veterans, widows or widowers of veterans, and spouses of 100 percent disabled veterans, who become eligible for certification from eligible lists by attaining the passing mark established for the examination, as set forth below: (1) Disabled veterans, 15 points. (2) Veterans, 10 points. (3) Widows or widowers of veterans, and spouses of 100 percent disabled veterans, five points. (b) For purposes of this section: (1) "Veteran" means any member of the California National Guard who meets the following requirements: (A) Served in federal active duty for 90 days or more. (B) Not more than two years have passed since the member was released from federal active duty. (2) "Disabled veteran" means any member of the California National Guard who is currently declared by the United States Veterans Administration to be 10 percent or more disabled as a result of his or her service. (3) "100 percent disabled veteran" means any member of the California National Guard who is currently declared by the United States Veterans Administration to be 100 percent disabled as a result of his or her service. (c) No veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released shall be allowed a credit under this section. (d) Proof of disability shall be deemed conclusive if it is of record in the United States Veterans Administration. SEC. 3. Section 18973.5 of the Government Code is amended to read: 18973.5. (a) For purposes of Sections 18973, 18973.1, and 18978, an entrance examination is any open competitive examination other than one for a class having a requirement of both college graduation and two or more years of experience. (b) For purposes of Sections 18973, 18973.1, and 18978, veterans' credits shall be awarded in all qualifying examinations in which the veteran competes. No veterans' credits shall be awarded once a veteran achieves permanent civil service status. SEC. 4. Section 18974.5 of the Government Code is amended to read: 18974.5. Any member of the Armed Forces who successfully passes any state civil service examination and whose name as a result is placed on an employment list and who within six months after the establishment of the employment list for which the examination was given qualifies for veteran's preference as provided for in Sections 18973 and 18973.1 shall be allowed the appropriate veterans' credit to the same effect as though he or she were entitled to that credit at the time of the establishing of the employment list. When and if that person is allowed veterans' credit under this section his or her name shall be placed on the employment list in accordance with Section 18937 as the employment list stands at the time of qualifying for veterans' credit. SEC. 5. Section 18978 of the Government Code is amended to read: 18978. (a) For any entrance examination held on an open, nonpromotional basis under Section 18950, a veteran who becomes eligible for certification from eligible lists by attaining the passing mark established for the examination, shall be allowed the following additional credits: (1) Disabled veterans, 10 points. (2) Other veterans, five points. (b) For purposes of this section, "veteran" and "disabled veteran" have the same meaning as those terms are used in Sections 18973 and 18973.1. (c) Individuals who received veterans points under this section are not eligible for career credits pursuant to Sections 18950.1, 18951, and 18951.5.