summary
Introduced
01/13/2025
01/13/2025
In Committee
04/15/2025
04/15/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025 Legislative Measures
Bill Summary
The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability standards. Digest: Makes many changes to ODVA laws. (Flesch Readability Score: 73.8). Digest: Makes ODVA create more positions and hire staff. Makes ODVA create pilot programs on suicide prevention and workforce training. Makes ODOT accept an ID issued by USDOD or USDVA. (Flesch Readability Score: 65.7). Requires an appropriation to Declares that it is the goal of the Legislative Assembly to fund the Department of Veterans’ Affairs from the General Fund to be in an amount that is not less than $10,000,000 , from the General Fund, in 2015 dollars, adjusted for inflation. Requires the Director of Veterans’ Affairs to add additional full-time positions within the de- partment. Creates in the department the position of Veterans Employment Coordinator. Allows the director to appoint a deputy director, subject to approval by the Governor. Requires the director and deputy director to be a veteran who has received a discharge or release under other than dishonorable conditions. Allows the director to appoint a deputy director, subject to approval by the Governor. Directs the department to develop and implement one or more pilot programs for suicide pre- vention and workforce training and preparation. Allows moneys in the Veterans’ Services Fund to be used for the pilot programs. Requires the Department of Transportation to accept, for issuing a driver license, an identification card issued by the United States Department of Defense or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Directs the director to distribute moneys appropriated for county veterans’ service offi- cer programs on a quarterly basis. Directs the department to provide a report on the quarterly distribution process. Changes who is allowed to request county veteran discharge records. Increases from $5,000 to $10,000, the cap on the individual grant amount that is allowed under the Veteran Educational Bridge Grant Program. Directs the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to work with the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission and the Judicial Department to develop a plan for establishing and maintaining a veterans’ court in each county or judicial district. Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.
AI Summary
This bill aims to enhance veterans' services in Oregon through multiple provisions. It establishes a goal to fund the Department of Veterans' Affairs with at least $10 million from the General Fund, adjusted for inflation. The bill creates several new full-time positions within the department, including coordinators for incarcerated veterans, women veterans, addiction services, behavioral health, and employment. A new Veterans Employment Coordinator role is specifically established to help veterans find jobs, provide career resources, and connect with service members transitioning out of military service. The bill also mandates the development of pilot programs for veteran suicide prevention and workforce training, with a focus on helping veterans transition to civilian life and employment. Additionally, the legislation increases the maximum Veteran Educational Bridge Grant from $5,000 to $10,000, modifies rules for accessing veteran discharge records, and directs the department to work on establishing veterans' courts in each county or judicial district. The bill requires the director of veterans' affairs to be a veteran with an honorable discharge and allows for the appointment of a deputy director. It also specifies that moneys from the Veterans' Services Fund can be used to support these new initiatives, with a requirement to report on the programs' progress by January 2, 2027. The bill is declared an emergency measure and will take effect on July 1, 2025.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (9)
Paul Evans (D)*,
Jeff Helfrich (R)*,
Rick Lewis (R)*,
Susan McLain (D)*,
Alek Skarlatos (R)*,
Court Boice (R),
Lucetta Elmer (R),
Mark Meek (D),
Deb Patterson (D),
Last Action
Referred to Ways and Means by prior reference. (on 04/15/2025)
Official Document
bill text
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bill summary
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bill summary
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