California Assembly Bill AB444

California 2021-2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/8/21
• Refer: 2/18/21
• Report Pass: 4/19/21
• Refer: 4/19/21
• Report Pass: 4/28/21
• Engrossed: 5/6/21
• Refer: 5/6/21
• Refer: 5/19/21
• Report Pass: 6/8/21
• Refer: 6/8/21
• Enrolled: 6/24/21
• Chaptered: 7/9/21
• Passed: 7/9/21

Caption

State and local employees: pay warrants: designees.

Impact

The bill impacts existing laws by streamlining the process for public agency employees to designate individuals, including corporations, trusts, or estates, who are entitled to receive outstanding pay warrants after an employee's death. Under the new provisions, the appointing power must directly issue a check to the designated person instead of the former process where warrants were delivered to designated individuals. This amendment is intended to simplify the claims process and ensure that beneficiaries receive payments without undue delay.

Summary

Assembly Bill 444 amends Sections 12479 and 53245 of the Government Code concerning public employment regarding the designation of beneficiaries for pay warrants following the death of an employee. The bill allows state and local employees to designate a person to receive their pay warrants upon their death, ensuring a clear process for the allocation of these payments. It emphasizes that the designated person can negotiate warrants as if they were the original payee, enhancing the previous processes in place.

Sentiment

The sentiment around AB 444 appears to be generally positive, as it addresses a common concern among public employees regarding the distribution of pay warrants after death. By allowing employees to designate multiple recipients and greatly clarifying the process, stakeholders likely view this as a beneficial reform that can provide peace of mind to employees knowing that their intended beneficiaries will be handled properly upon their passing.

Contention

While there were no significant points of contention raised during discussions around AB 444, it underscored the importance of safeguarding employee rights in the context of public employment. The bill's language allowing for the designation of a broader category of recipients, including corporate entities or trusts, could prompt future discussions about the implications for pension and benefits administration, particularly regarding how such changes might affect claims and beneficiary rights.