CA AB1715

Adds the United States Space Force to definitions of "Armed Forces" and "veteran" throughout California law, including for civil service hiring practices, state aid programs, and veteran protections in Business and Professions Code, Education Code, Government Code, Military and Veterans Code, Penal Code, Public Utilities Code, and Revenue and Taxation Code.

Extends veteran benefits and protections to Space Force members, including priority enrollment in higher education institutions, resident tuition classification, fee waivers for community college students called to active duty, and property tax exemptions for disabled veterans and their surviving spouses.

Authorizes Space Force members to enlist or accept appointments in the Space Force as grounds for discharge from California military service, and allows former Space Force officers to be appointed to equivalent ranks in the California Cadet Corps.

Amends criminal statutes to include Space Force uniforms in unauthorized wear prohibitions and expands veteran service protections under California's Penal Code to include Space Force members.

Clarifies that no state reimbursement is required for local agencies implementing these changes since costs result only from creating new crimes or changing criminal penalties.