BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 1155
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Date of Hearing: August 3, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Lorena Gonzalez, Chair
SB 1155
(Morrell) - As Amended June 23, 2016
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|Policy |Business and Professions |Vote:|15 - 0 |
|Committee: | | | |
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| |Veterans Affairs | |7 - 0 |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY: This bill requires, on or after January 1, 2018, every
board under the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) to waive
initial license fees for veterans. Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires every board within DCA to grant a fee waiver for the
application for and issuance of an initial license to an
applicant who supplies satisfactory evidence to the board that
the applicant has served as an active duty member of the
California National Guard or the United States Armed Forces
and was honorably discharged.
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2)Specifies that "satisfactory evidence" means a completed
"Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty" (DD
Form 214).
3)Requires that a veteran be granted only one fee waiver, except
as specified
4)Requires a fee waiver to apply only to an application of and a
license issued to an individual veteran and not to an
application of or a license issued to an individual veteran on
behalf of a business or other entity.
5)Prohibits issuance of a waiver for any of the following:
a) Renewal of a license.
b) The application for and issuance of an additional
license, a certificate, a registration, or a permit
associated with the initial license.
c) The application for an examination.
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FISCAL EFFECT:
1)Annual revenue loss to DCA of $1.1 million (various special
funds) to waive applicable fees for honorably discharged
veterans. Minor costs to each board and bureau to establish
the fee waiver in regulations prior to implementation. Staff
notes that although most boards and bureaus indicate that the
loss of revenue and any associated workload would be minor,
this bill would exacerbate the fiscal issues of several funds
within the DCA.
2)Minor and absorbable costs to DCA for additional workload to
make necessary changes to the DCA's online licensing and
enforcement system, BreEZe, and for updating websites related
to applications.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. According to the author, "This bill removes a barrier
for veterans seeking work in California and encourages
immediate entrance into the civilian workforce by waiving the
application and initial license fees in order to receive an
occupational license. These fees act as a barrier of entry to
the workforce for the 240,000 to 360,000 veterans that
separate from the military each year, many of whom would like
to make California home... By removing a barrier, we can more
effectively help veterans harness their invaluable skillsets
thereby helping them find higher paying jobs, strengthening
the economy, and chipping away at the growing issue of veteran
homelessness."
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2)Background. The DCA boards have implemented several policies
to ease the burdens on military applicants, spouses, and
licensees. For example, current law exempts licensees from
penalties for reinstating a retired license if called to
active duty. Current law also requires boards under the DCA
to waive renewal fees, continuing education requirements, and
other requirements for military licensees as long as specified
requirements are met.
In addition, after July 1, 2016, current law will require
boards under the DCA to begin expediting the initial licensure
process for applicants who are honorably discharged veterans.
Similarly, this bill adds a one-time initial license fee
waiver for applicants who are honorably discharged veterans.
3)Current Legislation. SB 1348 (Canella), pending on the
Assembly Floor, requires boards under the DCA that authorize
veterans to apply military experience and training towards
licensure requirements to post information on the board's
website about the application process.
4)Prior Legislation. AB 1057 (Medina), Chapter 693, Statutes of
2013, requires each board to inquire in every application for
licensure if the individual applying for licensure is serving
in, or has previously served in, the military.
Analysis Prepared by:Jennifer Swenson / APPR. / (916)
319-2081
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