BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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Date of Hearing: April 14, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Jacqui Irwin, Chair
AB 930
(Irwin) - As Introduced February 26, 2015
SUBJECT: Work for Warriors program
SUMMARY: This bill authorizes the California Military
Department (department) Adjutant General to establish a Work for
Warriors (WFW) program, to provide direct placement job services
to service members, department youth program graduates, veterans
and their families. Specifically, this bill:
1)Makes findings and declares the intent of the Legislature as
specified.
2)Authorizes the Adjutant General to establish a WFW program to
serve unemployed and underemployed service members, veterans,
department youth program graduates, and military families in
California.
3)Directs the department, if it establishes such a program, to
provide direct-placement job services to all of the following:
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a) The California Military Department.
b) The Army.
c) The Navy.
d) The Air Force.
e) The Marine Corps.
f) The Coast Guard Reserve.
g) Veterans recently separated from active duty.
h) Military spouses.
i) Graduates of California National Guard Youth Programs.
j) Dependents of veterans.
4)Permits the Adjutant General to accept federal funding to
supplement the WFW program.
5)Permits the Adjutant General to appoint a director and other
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service members and employees, permanent or temporary, to
operate the WFW.
6)The Adjutant General may enter into a memorandum of agreement
with other state agencies, including, but not limited to, the
Employment Development Department, to operate the Work for
Warriors Program.
7)The Employment Development Department may enter into an
interagency partnership with the Adjutant General for purposes
of the Work for Warriors program.
EXISTING LAW: There is no current statute establishing this
program.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown at this time.
COMMENTS: According to the author and as framed in the
legislative findings and declarations in the bill:
1)Established in 2012 pursuant to an interagency agreement with
the Assembly, the California Military Department's WFW program
provides direct-placement employment services to California's
veterans, military spouses, and dependents.
2)The most successful program of its kind in the nation, the WFW
program has placed more than 3,900 veterans in new careers.
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3)Due to the downsizing of the United States Armed Forces, the
number of veterans entering the workforce is increasing. The
WFW program is a key resource for veterans leaving active duty
and transitioning to private sector employment in California.
4)Based on its high success rate and low cost per placement, the
WFW program is the most effective veterans' job placement
program in the country. At present, there are nearly 120,000
service members eligible for assistance from the WFW program
residing within the state. This number nearly doubles when
estimating spouses' job placement services and triples when
considering dependent job placement. Already the lowest cost
program in the country, with a per-placement cost of $750
(compared to other veteran employment programs that cost
$10,000 per placement), the WFW program is the most efficient
and cost-effective program available.
5)Over 250 leading businesses in the state are partnered with
the Work for Warriors program. These companies understand the
benefit of hiring a veteran, as they receive employees that
are disciplined, selfless leaders.
Given the program's modest cost and lingering high employment
issues, particularly with reservists and more recently separated
active duty veterans, this program offers a good return on
investment for the state.
Suggested Amendments: The author may wish to consider
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streamlining the language in the bill. The findings and
declarations would be retained as they are, then the rest of the
bill would read in language substantially similar to this:
980.7. (a) (1) The California Military Department may
establish a Work for Warriors program to provide direct
placement employment services to unemployed and underemployed
service members, veterans, California Military Department
Youth program graduates, military families and other related
populations in California.
(2) The department may accept federal funding to supplement
the Work for Warriors program.
(3) If the department establishes a Work for Warriors program,
the department shall adopt such regulations, rules, and
guidelines as are necessary to implement the program.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None on File.
Opposition
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None on File.
Analysis Prepared by:John Spangler / V.A. / (916) 319-3550