California Code, Government Code - GOV § 19997.3

(a) Layoff shall be made in accordance with the relative seniority of the employees in the class of layoff. In determining seniority scores, one point shall be allowed for each complete month of full-time state service regardless of when the service occurred. Department rules shall establish all of the following:

(b) For professional, scientific, administrative, management, and executive classes, the department shall prescribe standards and methods by rule whereby employee efficiency shall be combined with seniority in determining the order of layoffs and the order of names on reemployment lists. These standards and methods may vary for different classes, and shall take into consideration the needs of state service and practice in private industry and other public employment.

(c) If the provisions of this section are in conflict with the provisions of a memorandum of understanding reached pursuant to Section 3517.5, the memorandum of understanding shall be controlling without further legislative action, except that if the provisions of a memorandum of understanding incur either present or future costs, or require the expenditure of funds, the provisions shall not become effective unless approved by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act.