(a) As used in this section:

(1) “Civil service system,” as applied to a county or city or county, means the approved local merit system (ALMS).

(2) “Veteran” has the same meaning as in Section 18973.

(3) “Veterans service office” means an office established pursuant to § 970 of the Military and Veterans Code.

(b) When any city, county, or city and county, general law or chartered, has established a civil service system and entrance examination for the selection of appointive officers and employees, the board of supervisors or city council, by January 1, 2002, shall either implement a veterans’ preference system giving preference to a veteran over other identically qualified applicants, or shall adopt a resolution identifying reasons that it does not implement a veterans’ preference system.

(c) Nothing in this act shall be construed to require a city, county, or city and county, to implement a veterans’ preference system. However, it is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section that cities, counties, and cities and counties, to the extent possible, further the public policy embodied in § 6 of Article VII of the California Constitution to promote veterans’ preference.

(d) In enacting this section, the Legislature finds and declares that veterans’ preference in civil service examinations is a matter of statewide concern.

(e) It is the intent of the Legislature that a board of supervisors or city council may seek the voluntary assistance of a veterans service office serving that area in implementing a veterans’ preference system.

(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 201, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2000.)