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AB547 would reduce degree barriers for state jobs and recognize federal experience; sponsor says bill opens pathways to state employment
Summary
Assembly Bill 547 would prohibit most appointing authorities from requiring a bachelor's degree as a prerequisite for state employment and require recognition of equivalent federal government experience for state classification and pay; supporters said the measure addresses degree inflation and provides hiring flexibility for experienced federal
Assembly Bill 547, presented by Speaker Steve Yeager, would change state public employment rules to (1) allow appointing authorities to recognize relevant federal government experience as equivalent to state government experience for recruitment, selection, promotion and pay; and (2) prohibit, with stated exceptions, an appointing authority from requiring a bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite for positions in the classified or unclassified service.
Yeager said the bill is intended to reduce “degree inflation” and open opportunities for candidates who have long‑relevant work experience but lack a formal bachelor’s degree. He cited national trends among employers and several states that have taken steps to relax degree requirements and noted particular urgency for federal employees who had recently lost positions and may seek state employment.
Under AB547, appointing authorities could still require a bachelor’s degree when the position objectively requires knowledge and skills that are attainable only through such a degree (Yeager used attorney positions that require a J.D. as an example). The bill would require the division of human resources management to allow substitution of equivalent federal experience when preparing classification and qualification plans.
Senators asked whether the experience equivalency is already possible under current practice. Yeager said some federal experience may be accepted informally today but that the proposed statutory change would make the equivalency explicit and help standardize hiring and pay determinations across state agencies. Senator Steinbeck said the policy was sound; Yeager and supporters pointed to Maryland and Pennsylvania actions—mostly by executive order—as inspiration for the bill.
Kimberly Fergus testified in support, telling the committee the bill removes unnecessary barriers and recognizes practical on‑the‑job experience.
The committee closed the hearing after testimony and discussion; no committee vote was recorded.
