California 2025-2026 Regular Session

California Assembly Bill AB901 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.
OldNewDifferences
11 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 901Introduced by Assembly Member Sharp-CollinsFebruary 19, 2025 An act to amend Sections 18973, 18973.1, 18974.5, and 18976 of the Government Code, relating to employment. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 901, as introduced, Sharp-Collins. Veterans preferences: eligible spouses.The State Civil Service Act contains various provisions providing for veterans credits in relation to any open competitive entrance examination. Under existing law, whenever any veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100% disabled veteran achieves a passing score on an entrance exam, that person is required to be ranked in the top rank of the resulting eligibility list.This bill would revise that provision to also apply to an active duty service member who achieves a passing score on an entrance exam. The bill would also provide that authorizing employers may grant a preference in hiring and promotion to the eligible spouse of an active duty service member, veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100% disabled veteran. Existing law provides that any member of the Armed Forces who successfully passes any state civil service examination, whose name is placed on an employment list, and who qualifies for veterans preference shall be allowed the appropriate veterans credit to the same effect as though that person were entitled to that credit at the time of the establishing of the employment list.This bill would authorize the eligible spouse of an active duty service member, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100% disabled veteran to receive the appropriate credit for any selection test generally related to hiring and promotional preferences. The bill would make other related changes to these provisions. Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 18973 of the Government Code is amended to read:18973. For purposes of this article, the following definitions shall apply:(a) Active duty service member means a full-time active duty service member of any branch of the uniformed services of the United States.(b) Eligible spouse means an individual who is married to a full-time active duty service member of any branch of the uniformed service of the United States.(a)(c) Veteran has the same meaning as defined in Section 18540.4.(b)(d) Disabled veteran has the same meaning as defined in Section 18541.(c)(e) 100 percent disabled veteran means any veteran as defined in this section who is currently declared by the United States Veterans Administration to be 100 percent disabled as a result of his or her their service.SEC. 2. Section 18973.1 of the Government Code is amended to read:18973.1. (a) Whenever any veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran veteran, or active duty service member achieves a passing score on an entrance examination, he or she that individual shall be ranked in the top rank of the resulting eligibility list. This Authorizing employers may grant a preference in hiring and promotion to the eligible spouse of an active duty service member, veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran.(b) This section shall not apply to any veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.SEC. 3. Section 18974.5 of the Government Code is amended to read:18974.5. Any member of the Armed Forces who successfully passes any state civil service examination and whose name as a result is placed on an employment list and who within 12 months after the establishment of the employment list for which the examination was given qualifies for veterans preference as provided for in this article shall be allowed the appropriate veterans credit to the same effect as though he or she they were entitled to that credit at the time of the establishing of the employment list. The eligible spouse of an active duty service member, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran may receive the appropriate credit for any selection test generally related to hiring and promotional preferences.SEC. 4. Section 18976 of the Government Code is amended to read:18976. (a) Request for and proof of eligibility for veterans or eligible spouses preference shall be submitted by the veteran or eligible spouse to the department or designated appointing authority conducting the employment examination. The procedures and time of filing the request shall be subject to rules promulgated by the department, in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs.(b) Subject to rules promulgated by the department pursuant to subdivision (a), in order to facilitate a request for veterans preference from a currently serving active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, the department or designated appointing authority may use a document signed by an applicants commanding officer of the military to verify that applicants military service. The department or designated appointing authority, before the applicant enters state service with the benefit of the veterans preference, shall require the same proof of eligibility for veterans preference used for veterans under subdivision (a).
22
33 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 901Introduced by Assembly Member Sharp-CollinsFebruary 19, 2025 An act to amend Sections 18973, 18973.1, 18974.5, and 18976 of the Government Code, relating to employment. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 901, as introduced, Sharp-Collins. Veterans preferences: eligible spouses.The State Civil Service Act contains various provisions providing for veterans credits in relation to any open competitive entrance examination. Under existing law, whenever any veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100% disabled veteran achieves a passing score on an entrance exam, that person is required to be ranked in the top rank of the resulting eligibility list.This bill would revise that provision to also apply to an active duty service member who achieves a passing score on an entrance exam. The bill would also provide that authorizing employers may grant a preference in hiring and promotion to the eligible spouse of an active duty service member, veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100% disabled veteran. Existing law provides that any member of the Armed Forces who successfully passes any state civil service examination, whose name is placed on an employment list, and who qualifies for veterans preference shall be allowed the appropriate veterans credit to the same effect as though that person were entitled to that credit at the time of the establishing of the employment list.This bill would authorize the eligible spouse of an active duty service member, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100% disabled veteran to receive the appropriate credit for any selection test generally related to hiring and promotional preferences. The bill would make other related changes to these provisions. Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
44
55
66
77
88
99 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
1010
1111 Assembly Bill
1212
1313 No. 901
1414
1515 Introduced by Assembly Member Sharp-CollinsFebruary 19, 2025
1616
1717 Introduced by Assembly Member Sharp-Collins
1818 February 19, 2025
1919
2020 An act to amend Sections 18973, 18973.1, 18974.5, and 18976 of the Government Code, relating to employment.
2121
2222 LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
2323
2424 ## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
2525
2626 AB 901, as introduced, Sharp-Collins. Veterans preferences: eligible spouses.
2727
2828 The State Civil Service Act contains various provisions providing for veterans credits in relation to any open competitive entrance examination. Under existing law, whenever any veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100% disabled veteran achieves a passing score on an entrance exam, that person is required to be ranked in the top rank of the resulting eligibility list.This bill would revise that provision to also apply to an active duty service member who achieves a passing score on an entrance exam. The bill would also provide that authorizing employers may grant a preference in hiring and promotion to the eligible spouse of an active duty service member, veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100% disabled veteran. Existing law provides that any member of the Armed Forces who successfully passes any state civil service examination, whose name is placed on an employment list, and who qualifies for veterans preference shall be allowed the appropriate veterans credit to the same effect as though that person were entitled to that credit at the time of the establishing of the employment list.This bill would authorize the eligible spouse of an active duty service member, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100% disabled veteran to receive the appropriate credit for any selection test generally related to hiring and promotional preferences. The bill would make other related changes to these provisions.
2929
3030 The State Civil Service Act contains various provisions providing for veterans credits in relation to any open competitive entrance examination. Under existing law, whenever any veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100% disabled veteran achieves a passing score on an entrance exam, that person is required to be ranked in the top rank of the resulting eligibility list.
3131
3232 This bill would revise that provision to also apply to an active duty service member who achieves a passing score on an entrance exam. The bill would also provide that authorizing employers may grant a preference in hiring and promotion to the eligible spouse of an active duty service member, veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100% disabled veteran.
3333
3434 Existing law provides that any member of the Armed Forces who successfully passes any state civil service examination, whose name is placed on an employment list, and who qualifies for veterans preference shall be allowed the appropriate veterans credit to the same effect as though that person were entitled to that credit at the time of the establishing of the employment list.
3535
3636 This bill would authorize the eligible spouse of an active duty service member, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100% disabled veteran to receive the appropriate credit for any selection test generally related to hiring and promotional preferences. The bill would make other related changes to these provisions.
3737
3838 ## Digest Key
3939
4040 ## Bill Text
4141
4242 The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 18973 of the Government Code is amended to read:18973. For purposes of this article, the following definitions shall apply:(a) Active duty service member means a full-time active duty service member of any branch of the uniformed services of the United States.(b) Eligible spouse means an individual who is married to a full-time active duty service member of any branch of the uniformed service of the United States.(a)(c) Veteran has the same meaning as defined in Section 18540.4.(b)(d) Disabled veteran has the same meaning as defined in Section 18541.(c)(e) 100 percent disabled veteran means any veteran as defined in this section who is currently declared by the United States Veterans Administration to be 100 percent disabled as a result of his or her their service.SEC. 2. Section 18973.1 of the Government Code is amended to read:18973.1. (a) Whenever any veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran veteran, or active duty service member achieves a passing score on an entrance examination, he or she that individual shall be ranked in the top rank of the resulting eligibility list. This Authorizing employers may grant a preference in hiring and promotion to the eligible spouse of an active duty service member, veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran.(b) This section shall not apply to any veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.SEC. 3. Section 18974.5 of the Government Code is amended to read:18974.5. Any member of the Armed Forces who successfully passes any state civil service examination and whose name as a result is placed on an employment list and who within 12 months after the establishment of the employment list for which the examination was given qualifies for veterans preference as provided for in this article shall be allowed the appropriate veterans credit to the same effect as though he or she they were entitled to that credit at the time of the establishing of the employment list. The eligible spouse of an active duty service member, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran may receive the appropriate credit for any selection test generally related to hiring and promotional preferences.SEC. 4. Section 18976 of the Government Code is amended to read:18976. (a) Request for and proof of eligibility for veterans or eligible spouses preference shall be submitted by the veteran or eligible spouse to the department or designated appointing authority conducting the employment examination. The procedures and time of filing the request shall be subject to rules promulgated by the department, in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs.(b) Subject to rules promulgated by the department pursuant to subdivision (a), in order to facilitate a request for veterans preference from a currently serving active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, the department or designated appointing authority may use a document signed by an applicants commanding officer of the military to verify that applicants military service. The department or designated appointing authority, before the applicant enters state service with the benefit of the veterans preference, shall require the same proof of eligibility for veterans preference used for veterans under subdivision (a).
4343
4444 The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
4545
4646 ## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
4747
4848 SECTION 1. Section 18973 of the Government Code is amended to read:18973. For purposes of this article, the following definitions shall apply:(a) Active duty service member means a full-time active duty service member of any branch of the uniformed services of the United States.(b) Eligible spouse means an individual who is married to a full-time active duty service member of any branch of the uniformed service of the United States.(a)(c) Veteran has the same meaning as defined in Section 18540.4.(b)(d) Disabled veteran has the same meaning as defined in Section 18541.(c)(e) 100 percent disabled veteran means any veteran as defined in this section who is currently declared by the United States Veterans Administration to be 100 percent disabled as a result of his or her their service.
4949
5050 SECTION 1. Section 18973 of the Government Code is amended to read:
5151
5252 ### SECTION 1.
5353
5454 18973. For purposes of this article, the following definitions shall apply:(a) Active duty service member means a full-time active duty service member of any branch of the uniformed services of the United States.(b) Eligible spouse means an individual who is married to a full-time active duty service member of any branch of the uniformed service of the United States.(a)(c) Veteran has the same meaning as defined in Section 18540.4.(b)(d) Disabled veteran has the same meaning as defined in Section 18541.(c)(e) 100 percent disabled veteran means any veteran as defined in this section who is currently declared by the United States Veterans Administration to be 100 percent disabled as a result of his or her their service.
5555
5656 18973. For purposes of this article, the following definitions shall apply:(a) Active duty service member means a full-time active duty service member of any branch of the uniformed services of the United States.(b) Eligible spouse means an individual who is married to a full-time active duty service member of any branch of the uniformed service of the United States.(a)(c) Veteran has the same meaning as defined in Section 18540.4.(b)(d) Disabled veteran has the same meaning as defined in Section 18541.(c)(e) 100 percent disabled veteran means any veteran as defined in this section who is currently declared by the United States Veterans Administration to be 100 percent disabled as a result of his or her their service.
5757
5858 18973. For purposes of this article, the following definitions shall apply:(a) Active duty service member means a full-time active duty service member of any branch of the uniformed services of the United States.(b) Eligible spouse means an individual who is married to a full-time active duty service member of any branch of the uniformed service of the United States.(a)(c) Veteran has the same meaning as defined in Section 18540.4.(b)(d) Disabled veteran has the same meaning as defined in Section 18541.(c)(e) 100 percent disabled veteran means any veteran as defined in this section who is currently declared by the United States Veterans Administration to be 100 percent disabled as a result of his or her their service.
5959
6060
6161
6262 18973. For purposes of this article, the following definitions shall apply:
6363
6464 (a) Active duty service member means a full-time active duty service member of any branch of the uniformed services of the United States.
6565
6666 (b) Eligible spouse means an individual who is married to a full-time active duty service member of any branch of the uniformed service of the United States.
6767
6868 (a)
6969
7070
7171
7272 (c) Veteran has the same meaning as defined in Section 18540.4.
7373
7474 (b)
7575
7676
7777
7878 (d) Disabled veteran has the same meaning as defined in Section 18541.
7979
8080 (c)
8181
8282
8383
8484 (e) 100 percent disabled veteran means any veteran as defined in this section who is currently declared by the United States Veterans Administration to be 100 percent disabled as a result of his or her their service.
8585
8686 SEC. 2. Section 18973.1 of the Government Code is amended to read:18973.1. (a) Whenever any veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran veteran, or active duty service member achieves a passing score on an entrance examination, he or she that individual shall be ranked in the top rank of the resulting eligibility list. This Authorizing employers may grant a preference in hiring and promotion to the eligible spouse of an active duty service member, veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran.(b) This section shall not apply to any veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
8787
8888 SEC. 2. Section 18973.1 of the Government Code is amended to read:
8989
9090 ### SEC. 2.
9191
9292 18973.1. (a) Whenever any veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran veteran, or active duty service member achieves a passing score on an entrance examination, he or she that individual shall be ranked in the top rank of the resulting eligibility list. This Authorizing employers may grant a preference in hiring and promotion to the eligible spouse of an active duty service member, veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran.(b) This section shall not apply to any veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
9393
9494 18973.1. (a) Whenever any veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran veteran, or active duty service member achieves a passing score on an entrance examination, he or she that individual shall be ranked in the top rank of the resulting eligibility list. This Authorizing employers may grant a preference in hiring and promotion to the eligible spouse of an active duty service member, veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran.(b) This section shall not apply to any veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
9595
9696 18973.1. (a) Whenever any veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran veteran, or active duty service member achieves a passing score on an entrance examination, he or she that individual shall be ranked in the top rank of the resulting eligibility list. This Authorizing employers may grant a preference in hiring and promotion to the eligible spouse of an active duty service member, veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran.(b) This section shall not apply to any veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
9797
9898
9999
100100 18973.1. (a) Whenever any veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran veteran, or active duty service member achieves a passing score on an entrance examination, he or she that individual shall be ranked in the top rank of the resulting eligibility list. This Authorizing employers may grant a preference in hiring and promotion to the eligible spouse of an active duty service member, veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran.
101101
102102 (b) This section shall not apply to any veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
103103
104104 SEC. 3. Section 18974.5 of the Government Code is amended to read:18974.5. Any member of the Armed Forces who successfully passes any state civil service examination and whose name as a result is placed on an employment list and who within 12 months after the establishment of the employment list for which the examination was given qualifies for veterans preference as provided for in this article shall be allowed the appropriate veterans credit to the same effect as though he or she they were entitled to that credit at the time of the establishing of the employment list. The eligible spouse of an active duty service member, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran may receive the appropriate credit for any selection test generally related to hiring and promotional preferences.
105105
106106 SEC. 3. Section 18974.5 of the Government Code is amended to read:
107107
108108 ### SEC. 3.
109109
110110 18974.5. Any member of the Armed Forces who successfully passes any state civil service examination and whose name as a result is placed on an employment list and who within 12 months after the establishment of the employment list for which the examination was given qualifies for veterans preference as provided for in this article shall be allowed the appropriate veterans credit to the same effect as though he or she they were entitled to that credit at the time of the establishing of the employment list. The eligible spouse of an active duty service member, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran may receive the appropriate credit for any selection test generally related to hiring and promotional preferences.
111111
112112 18974.5. Any member of the Armed Forces who successfully passes any state civil service examination and whose name as a result is placed on an employment list and who within 12 months after the establishment of the employment list for which the examination was given qualifies for veterans preference as provided for in this article shall be allowed the appropriate veterans credit to the same effect as though he or she they were entitled to that credit at the time of the establishing of the employment list. The eligible spouse of an active duty service member, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran may receive the appropriate credit for any selection test generally related to hiring and promotional preferences.
113113
114114 18974.5. Any member of the Armed Forces who successfully passes any state civil service examination and whose name as a result is placed on an employment list and who within 12 months after the establishment of the employment list for which the examination was given qualifies for veterans preference as provided for in this article shall be allowed the appropriate veterans credit to the same effect as though he or she they were entitled to that credit at the time of the establishing of the employment list. The eligible spouse of an active duty service member, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran may receive the appropriate credit for any selection test generally related to hiring and promotional preferences.
115115
116116
117117
118118 18974.5. Any member of the Armed Forces who successfully passes any state civil service examination and whose name as a result is placed on an employment list and who within 12 months after the establishment of the employment list for which the examination was given qualifies for veterans preference as provided for in this article shall be allowed the appropriate veterans credit to the same effect as though he or she they were entitled to that credit at the time of the establishing of the employment list. The eligible spouse of an active duty service member, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran may receive the appropriate credit for any selection test generally related to hiring and promotional preferences.
119119
120120 SEC. 4. Section 18976 of the Government Code is amended to read:18976. (a) Request for and proof of eligibility for veterans or eligible spouses preference shall be submitted by the veteran or eligible spouse to the department or designated appointing authority conducting the employment examination. The procedures and time of filing the request shall be subject to rules promulgated by the department, in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs.(b) Subject to rules promulgated by the department pursuant to subdivision (a), in order to facilitate a request for veterans preference from a currently serving active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, the department or designated appointing authority may use a document signed by an applicants commanding officer of the military to verify that applicants military service. The department or designated appointing authority, before the applicant enters state service with the benefit of the veterans preference, shall require the same proof of eligibility for veterans preference used for veterans under subdivision (a).
121121
122122 SEC. 4. Section 18976 of the Government Code is amended to read:
123123
124124 ### SEC. 4.
125125
126126 18976. (a) Request for and proof of eligibility for veterans or eligible spouses preference shall be submitted by the veteran or eligible spouse to the department or designated appointing authority conducting the employment examination. The procedures and time of filing the request shall be subject to rules promulgated by the department, in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs.(b) Subject to rules promulgated by the department pursuant to subdivision (a), in order to facilitate a request for veterans preference from a currently serving active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, the department or designated appointing authority may use a document signed by an applicants commanding officer of the military to verify that applicants military service. The department or designated appointing authority, before the applicant enters state service with the benefit of the veterans preference, shall require the same proof of eligibility for veterans preference used for veterans under subdivision (a).
127127
128128 18976. (a) Request for and proof of eligibility for veterans or eligible spouses preference shall be submitted by the veteran or eligible spouse to the department or designated appointing authority conducting the employment examination. The procedures and time of filing the request shall be subject to rules promulgated by the department, in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs.(b) Subject to rules promulgated by the department pursuant to subdivision (a), in order to facilitate a request for veterans preference from a currently serving active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, the department or designated appointing authority may use a document signed by an applicants commanding officer of the military to verify that applicants military service. The department or designated appointing authority, before the applicant enters state service with the benefit of the veterans preference, shall require the same proof of eligibility for veterans preference used for veterans under subdivision (a).
129129
130130 18976. (a) Request for and proof of eligibility for veterans or eligible spouses preference shall be submitted by the veteran or eligible spouse to the department or designated appointing authority conducting the employment examination. The procedures and time of filing the request shall be subject to rules promulgated by the department, in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs.(b) Subject to rules promulgated by the department pursuant to subdivision (a), in order to facilitate a request for veterans preference from a currently serving active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, the department or designated appointing authority may use a document signed by an applicants commanding officer of the military to verify that applicants military service. The department or designated appointing authority, before the applicant enters state service with the benefit of the veterans preference, shall require the same proof of eligibility for veterans preference used for veterans under subdivision (a).
131131
132132
133133
134134 18976. (a) Request for and proof of eligibility for veterans or eligible spouses preference shall be submitted by the veteran or eligible spouse to the department or designated appointing authority conducting the employment examination. The procedures and time of filing the request shall be subject to rules promulgated by the department, in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
135135
136136 (b) Subject to rules promulgated by the department pursuant to subdivision (a), in order to facilitate a request for veterans preference from a currently serving active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, the department or designated appointing authority may use a document signed by an applicants commanding officer of the military to verify that applicants military service. The department or designated appointing authority, before the applicant enters state service with the benefit of the veterans preference, shall require the same proof of eligibility for veterans preference used for veterans under subdivision (a).