BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | AB 930|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
|(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | |
|327-4478 | |
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THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 930
Author: Irwin (D) and Atkins (D), et al.
Amended: 4/16/15 in Assembly
Vote: 21
SENATE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: 5-0, 6/23/15
AYES: Nielsen, Hueso, Allen, Nguyen, Roth
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 8/27/15
AYES: Lara, Bates, Beall, Hill, Leyva, Mendoza, Nielsen
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 5/7/15 (Consent) - See last page for
vote
SUBJECT: Work for Warriors program
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST: This bill codifies the authorization for the existing
Work for Warriors (WFW) program, which provides direct placement
job services to unemployed and underemployed military service
members, veterans, graduates of state military youth programs,
military families, and other related populations in California.
ANALYSIS: Existing law establishes the California Military
Department (CMD), which includes the California National Guard
(CNG), State Military Reserve, California Cadet Corps, and Naval
Militia, and authorizes a full-time state active duty force, all
of which are directed by the Adjutant General.
This bill:
AB 930
Page 2
1)Authorizes the CMD to establish a WFW program, to provide
direct placement job services to unemployed and underemployed
military members, veterans, CMD Youth program graduates,
military families and related populations.
a) Permits the CMD to accept federal funding to supplement
the program.
b) Requires the CMD, if it establishes a WFW program, to
adopt regulations, rules, and guidelines as necessary to
implement the program.
1)Makes various findings and declarations regarding the need for
a WFW program and the success of the existing, non-codified
program.
Background
The existing WFW program was established in 2012 with a grant
from the Speaker of the Assembly with the goal of increasing the
operational readiness of the CNG by reducing unemployment and
underemployment in the ranks. The Assembly has funded the state
portion at approximately $600,000 for three years. Federal
grant funds have provided $1 million for two years. The funding
allowed WFW to include California's military reservists and
veterans recently separated from active duty. AB 930 authorizes
the CMD to accept federal funds; if federal funds are no longer
available, the department will scale the program down.
According to the CMD, this is the most successful program of its
kind in the nation, having placed more than 3,900 veterans in
new careers. 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 job
placement of dependents. The per-placement cost is $750,
compared to other veteran employment programs that cost $10,000
per placement on average. Over 250 leading businesses in the
state are partnered with the WFW program.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal
Com.:YesLocal: No
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:
AB 930
Page 3
Cost Pressure: If the program is to be continued, the CMD
indicates that it would need an ongoing appropriation of about
$670,000 to fund five positions that currently support the
program on temporary grant funds. (General Fund)
Potential, unknown federal funds if grants become available
and the CMD is successful in a future application.
SUPPORT: (Verified 8/27/15)
American Legion - Department of California
AMVETS - Department of California
Jewish War Veterans
Military Officers Association of America - California Council of
Chapters
Military Order of the Purple Heart
Pacific Advisory Group
Reserve Officers Association of the United States
Veterans of Foreign Wars - Department of California
Vietnam Veterans of American - California State Council
OPPOSITION: (Verified8/27/15)
None received
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 5/7/15
AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Travis Allen, Baker, Bigelow, Bloom,
Bonilla, Bonta, Brough, Brown, Burke, Calderon, Chang, Chau,
Chávez, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly,
Dodd, Eggman, Frazier, Beth Gaines, Gallagher, Cristina
Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gatto, Gipson, Gomez, Gonzalez,
Gordon, Gray, Grove, Hadley, Harper, Holden, Irwin, Jones,
Jones-Sawyer, Kim, Lackey, Levine, Linder, Lopez, Low,
Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin,
Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Olsen, Patterson, Perea,
Quirk, Rendon, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Salas, Santiago, Mark
Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Wagner, Waldron, Weber, Wilk, Williams,
Wood, Atkins
AB 930
Page 4
NO VOTE RECORDED: Campos, Roger Hernández, Steinorth
Prepared by:Wade Cooper Teasdale / V.A. / (916) 651-1503
8/30/15 19:42:23
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