BILL ANALYSIS SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS JEFF DENHAM, CHAIRMAN Bill No: AB 1729 Author: Yamada Version: As amended March 18, 2010 Hearing Date: June 22, 2010 Fiscal: Yes SUBJECT OF BILL Veterans' points on state service entrance examinations. PROPOSED LAW 1. Extend by six months (to one full year) the deadline veterans have to turn in their DD-214 (military discharge form) to the state personnel board after the establishment of a state job list. EXISTING LAW AND BACKGROUND 1. The government code allows a certain number of points to be given to veterans so that, all other things being equal, the government does its best to employ those who have already put everything on the line for society and our country. 2. Veterans may take the state civil service examination ahead of time in anticipation of discharge. 3. Veterans must provide documentation to prove they were not dishonorably discharged before veterans' points can be credited. 4. SB 644 of 2009 (Denham) increased veterans service points to award 10 points on a state civil service exam to a veteran and 15 points if the veteran is disabled. This committee made a commitment to monitor the situation with returning veterans through two oversight hearings last year. SB 644 was a part of the effort to follow up on those hearings. COMMENT 1. This bill furthers the intent of last year's SB 644 and, according to the author's office, is intended to "assist veterans with their re-entry into the job market." 2. This bill will make it more convenient to take a state civil service examination. Right now a veteran would have to take the test within six months of discharge; so, the veteran must rely on lucky timing or be lucky enough to be stationed within the state in order to be able to take the test before discharge. By extending the time period to 12 months the chances are increased that a veteran would visit home in that 12-month period and have a chance to take the test without the time period expiring before he or she was actually discharged and was in possession of a DD-214. PRIOR ACTIONS Assembly PERS 5-0 Assembly Veterans 9-0 Assembly Appropriations 15-0 Assembly Floor 74-0 (Consent) Senate PERS 5-0 SB 644 (Denham) 5/18/2009 Denham Aye Correa Aye Cedillo No Vote Recorded Page 2 Negrete McLeod Aye Wyland Aye SUPPORT American Legion, Department of California AMVETS, Department of California California Correctional Supervisors Organization California Peace Officers' Association California Police Chiefs Association California State Commanders Veterans Council Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council OPPOSE None received Page 3