BILL ANALYSIS
SB 644
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Date of Hearing: July 8, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC EMPLOYEES, RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL
SECURITY
Ed Hernandez, Chair
SB 644 (Denham) - As Amended: May 4, 2009
SENATE VOTE : 36-0
SUBJECT : Civil service examinations: veterans' preference.
SUMMARY : Increases, by an additional five points, the
veteran's preference points given on open, nonpromotional state
civil service entrance examinations so that the veteran's
preference points awarded in open, nonpromotional examinations
are the same as those awarded in open examinations.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Increases from five to 10 the number of points awarded to
veterans, widows or widowers of veterans, and spouses of
disabled veterans, on open, nonpromotional entrance
examinations.
2)Increases from 10 to 15 the number of points awarded to
disabled veterans on open, nonpromotional entrance
examinations.
EXISTING LAW provides that veteran's preference points are
provided in open civil service examinations and open
nonpromotional entrance examinations for classifications, as
specified. In order to be eligible for veterans preference
points, the person's discharge from the military must have been
classified as other than dishonorable.
An open examination is one in which any applicant inside or
outside state service, who meets the minimum qualifications, may
apply and participate. According to the SPB, the best use of an
open examination plan is when the examination is for
entry-level, specialized, or technical classifications, and the
qualified candidate group is found outside of state service.
For open examinations, current law allows veteran's preference
points for disabled veterans of 15 points and 10 points for all
other veterans, widows or widowers of veterans, and spouses of
disabled veterans.
SB 644
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An open, nonpromotional examination is one in which state
employees and other applicants who are successful in the
examination are placed on one eligible list. According to the
SPB, an open, nonpromotional exam plan is best used when there
is an identified promotional candidate group within state
service; however, expanded competition including outside
candidates is likely to produce a more highly qualified group,
and is consistent with the needs of the state. Open,
nonpromotional examinations are not administered for
classifications that are designated as managerial by the
Department of Personnel Administration. For open,
nonpromotional entrance examinations, current law allows
veteran's preference points for disabled veterans of 10 points
and 5 points for all other veterans.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown.
COMMENTS : According to the State Personnel Board, "The purpose
of Veteran's Preference Points is to assist returning veterans
in their quest to obtain employment with the State of
California. Therefore, veterans who have obtained a permanent
appointment with the State of California, and who have passed
their probationary period, are no longer eligible for Veteran's
Preference Points on any state examination. This is true even
if the veteran did not use preference points to obtain their
initial appointment to state service."
According to the author, "Employment is a major stepping stone
for veterans to fully reintegrate into society. The new
administration has already stated that the number of returning
veterans will increase dramatically over the next several years.
SB 644 would ensure that returning veterans are given a real
opportunity to be incorporated into the workforce and help
alleviate the problem of veteran homelessness and unemployment."
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
American Legion-Department of California
AMVETS-Department of California
Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council
Opposition
SB 644
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None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Karon Green / P.E., R. & S.S. / (916)
319-3957