(a)
Upon giving two days’ notice to his or her immediate superior, any state employee otherwise qualified shall be permitted to take any state civil service examination during working hours, if the examination is scheduled during such period, or to attend a meeting of the department or State Personnel Board at which is scheduled for consideration a matter specifically affecting his or her position concerning which he or she has requested to be heard, without deduction of pay or other penalty. Employment interviews for eligibles on employment lists shall be considered part of the examination process under this part.
(b)
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 such provisions of a memorandum of understanding require the expenditure of funds, the provisions shall not become effective unless approved by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act.