BILL NUMBER: SB 703INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Denham FEBRUARY 27, 2009 An act to amend Section 80 of the Military and Veterans Code, relating to veterans. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 703, as introduced, Denham. Military and veterans. Under existing law the Department of Veterans Affairs has specified powers and duties relating to military veterans, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is in charge of the department. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive, changes and correct an obsolete reference. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 80 of the Military and Veterans Code is amended to read: 80. Thedirectorsecretary may employ subject to law such expert, technical, legal, clerical, and other employees asmay bethe secretary deems necessary to carry out his or her powers and duties and except as expressly otherwise provided in Section 71 of this chapter, thedirectorsecretary shall be the sole appointing authority for the department for all positions. Whenever possible preference shall be given to veterans for employment in the department.