BILL ANALYSIS �
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 537|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 537
Author: Correa (D)
Amended: 5/19/11
Vote: 21
SENATE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE : 8-0, 4/12/11
AYES: Correa, Cannella, Berryhill, Calderon, Negrete
McLeod, Rubio, Runner, Lieu
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : 9-0, 5/26/11
AYES: Kehoe, Walters, Alquist, Emmerson, Lieu, Pavley,
Price, Runner, Steinberg
SUBJECT : California Cadet Corps
SOURCE : California Military Department
DIGEST : This bill makes various changes to the
California Cadet Corps program, as specified in the
analysis below.
ANALYSIS :
Existing law
1.Establishes in state government the Military Department,
which includes, among others, the Office of the Adjutant
General, the California National Guard, and the
California Cadet Corps.
CONTINUED
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2.Establishes various duties for these officers and
entities.
3.Authorizes the organization of a cadet company at each
college, community college, high school, and each senior
high school in this state having 100 or more students of
14 years of age or over under such rules and regulations
as the governing body of the schools and the Adjutant
General may prescribe, and authorizes the Adjutant
General to appoint officers in the California Cadet Corps
for duty in each community college, high school, junior
high school, or elementary school under the jurisdiction
of the governing board.
This bill
1. This bill eliminates conflicting code sections
concerning the Cadet Corps program.
2. Allows warrant officers and non-commissioned officers to
be appointed by the adjutant general as commandants, or
assistant commandants, of students.
3. Adds warrant officers and non-commissioned officers to
all the sections that commissioned officers are
presently under, including:
A. Putting them under the same jurisdiction as
officers in relation to schools while not on state
active duty status.
B. Subject to rules, regulations, grade, and rank
determined by the Adjutant General.
C. Allows those with prior service and honorable
discharge to be appointed.
D. Requires a uniform as prescribed by the adjutant
general not to be inconsistent with the rules and
regulations of the United States Army.
E. Ordering to encampments and exercises.
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F. Receive similar pay to active duty equivalent
rank.
4. Allows the Governor to appoint special project
officers-commissioned and non-upon recommendation
of the Adjutant General.
5. Creates permission for the adjutant general to adopt the
rules and regulations for promotion of these positions.
6. Allows warrant officers and non-commissioned officers to
be appointed by the commandant of cadets with the
approval of the president, director, chief
administrative officer, or principal of the institution
in question.
7. Allows the Adjutant General to order these
officers-commissioned and
non-to temporary state active duty.
8. Allows presidents, directors, chief administrative
officers, or principals of the institution in question
to remove a student from the Cadet Corps for any reason
deemed to be good cause.
9. Allows rifles to be purchased for marksmanship training.
10.Allows the cadet corps to utilize California National
Guard facilities for training purposes whenever
practical.
11.Creates a presumption that any executive office,
assistant executive officer, advisory, officer, warrant
office, or noncommissioned officer hurt in the line of
duty is receiving a yearly earning of at least $10,000
for purposes of receiving workers' compensation
benefits.
Comments
According to the author's office, the purpose of the
California Cadet Corps (founded in 1911) is a school-based,
applied leadership program conducted within a military
framework and is designed to provide maximum growth and
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leadership opportunities?and stresses six objectives:
Support and enhance academic achievement
Provide opportunities for leadership
Foster good citizenship
Enhance patriotism
Provide basic military knowledge
Promote health, fitness, and wellness
Much of the leadership of this program is done by
volunteers as, according to the author's office,
"California provides minimal state funding".
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:
Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 2011-12 2012-13
2013-14 Fund
Cadet corps program ------------------minor
---------------- General
Military academy unknown, upon
appropriation in a General
a future Budget Act
SUPPORT : (5/26/11)
California Military Department - Office of the Adjutant
General (source)
American Legion- Department CA
AMVETS- Department CA
California State Commanders Veterans Council
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : The California Military Department
- Office of the Adjutant General writes, "Senate Bill 537
will revise portions of the Military and Veterans Code,
specifically sections that address the California Cadet
Corps and youth programs administered by the Department.
Current law does not provide for the appointment of adult
warrant officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) to
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the California Cadet Corps; currently only adult
commissioned officers may be appointed. This bill will
ensure necessary and enhancing revisions are made in order
to bring antiquated sections of the Military and Veterans
Code up to date.
The American Legion-Department of California, the
AMVETS-Department of California and the California State
Commanders Veterans Council write: "SB 537 makes needed
changes allowing the appointment of adult warrant officers
and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) into the California
Cadet Corps. Currently, only an adult commissioned officer
may be appointed. We believe a strong adult NCO Corps and
Warrant Officer Corps, in addition to the Commissioned
Officers, are needed to ensure the cadets receive the
appropriate instruction and mentoring."
RM:rm 5/27/11 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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