(a) The department may provide training programs to any public employee or officer so that the quality of service rendered by those persons may be continually improved. For purposes of this subdivision, “public employee or officer” means any employee or officer of any of the following:

(1) The state, regardless of whether the employee or officer is subject to state civil service.

(2) A city.

(3) A county.

(4) A special district, or any other political subdivision of the state.

(5) The California State University.

(6) The University of California.

(7) The Legislature.

(8) The judicial branch.

(9) The federal government.

(b) The department may give priority registration for enrollment in training programs described in subdivision (a) to state employees and officers.

(c) The department, at its discretion, may exclude any public employee or officer from a training program described in subdivision (a) based on the appropriateness of the subject matter for those public employees or officers.

(d) Notwithstanding Section 18707, the department may collect registration fees from the employee’s or officer’s employing entity for attendance in a training program described in subdivision (a) without entering into a written agreement with that employing entity or seeking the approval of the Department of General Services. Pursuant to Section 11255, the Controller shall transfer to the department any moneys owed to the department by an employing entity that is a state agency for charges due under this subdivision.

(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 24, Sec. 17. (SB 83) Effective June 27, 2019.)