HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GENERAL GOVERNMENT

March 06, 2003 Hearing Room D

8:30 AM Tapes 29 - 31

MEMBERS PRESENT: Rep. Jerry Krummel, Chair

Rep. Donna Nelson, Vice-Chair

Rep. Floyd Prozanski, Vice-Chair

Rep. Brad Avakian

Rep. John Mabrey

Rep. Kelley Wirth

MEMBER EXCUSED: Rep. Derrick Kitts

STAFF PRESENT: Patrick Brennan, Committee Administrator

Jeana Harrington, Committee Assistant

MEASURE/ISSUES HEARD: HB 2743 – Public Hearing and Work Session

Informational Meeting – Central Hearing Officer Panel, Tom Ewing

These minutes are in compliance with Senate and House Rules. Only text enclosed in quotation marks reports a speaker’s exact words. For complete contents, please refer to the tapes.

TAPE/#	Speaker	Comments
TAPE 29, A
004	Chair Krummel	Calls meeting to order at 8:35 AM. Opens public hearing on HB 2743.
HB 2743 PUBLIC HEARING
006	Patrick Brennan	Committee Administrator. Reads Staff Measure Summary (SMS) on HB 2743.
	Rep. Tim Knopp	Submits written testimony in support of HB 2743 prior to the meeting (EXHIBIT A).
010	Rep. John Mabrey	House District 59. Testifies in favor of HB 2743 (EXHIBIT B). Provides background of the bill with regard to the Oregon Veteran’s Home (OVH). Explains the land provided for the home. Discusses state funding of the home. Explains how circumstances have changed. States there is no request for funding by the bill and that if the opportunity arises the general fund would include the OVH. Reiterates his remarks are not critical to veterans.
126	Rep. Nelson	Requests an estimate of funds needed for the added wing.
137	Rep. Mabrey	Responds he is unsure. Estimates the hospital is spending around a million dollars per year to operate OVH currently.
155	Rep. Nelson	Wonders if the veterans are ineligible for other health care due to the OVH.
162	Rep. Mabrey	States he does not know. Explains that he understands veterans of Oregon cannot take money from the Oregon Health Plan (OHP).
177	Chair Krummel	Discusses a veterans’ home in Vancouver and asks if qualifying veterans could got to the home in the Dalles.
182	Rep. Mabrey	Responds he is unsure.
186	Chair Krummel	Clarifies the home cannot qualify as a Medicaid provider.
214	Jon Mangis	Director, Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). Mentions the DVA is not requesting any funds. Testifies in favor of HB 2743. Notes the funding the DVA has applied for and received for the OVH. Invites the legislators to visit the home. Explains the intentions of the OVH. Notes the support of the Governor for the bill although his budget includes no money for the OVH. Describes the expectations in the operation of the OVH.
TAPE 30, A
003	Mangis	Notes a nursing program associated with the OVH. Speaks to the current needs in the health care profession. Discusses original legislation. Offers that a fund has been created to raise money for the home and discusses aspects of its maintenance. Notes that the federal government is finding it more efficient for states to create veterans’ homes. Offers the jobs and funds created by the OVH.
160	Staryl Austin	Chair, Veterans’ Affairs Advisory Committee. Notes the committee unanimously approved the bill.
170	Rep. Wirth	Requests the number of volunteers to the OVH.
174	Mangis	Responds that there is a solid volunteer organization involving citizens and veterans.
196	Rep. Wirth	Wonders whether the regulations involving volunteers to the OVH deter those from contributing time.
205	Mangis	Responds that even he had a background check. Adds that there is a reason for security.
221	Chair Krummel	Asks if there are veterans’ homes in Oregon and Idaho.
225	Mangis	Lists homes in Idaho and Washington.
230	Chair Krummel	Asks where the home is located.
235	Mangis	Answers Spokane. Notes California’s homes.
244	Chair Krummel	Explains his consideration for those near borders of states.
248	Mangis	Responds to the idea.
253	Chair Krummel	Speaks to the timeframe of the federal VA homes. Asks if OVH is under the same guidelines.
257	Mangis	Answers the home is not and explains.
282	Chair Krummel	Poses question regarding timeframe for contacts.
284	Mangis	Responds every 36 months
285	Rep. Nelson	Requests the costs of annual operation for the OVH.
300	Mangis	Answers $16.2 million was requested.
310	Rep. Nelson	Clarifies the figure is for the OVH.
314	Mangis	Affirms.
320	Rep. Nelson	Requests the total DVA budget.
325	Mangis	Answers $2.5 million general fund and describes allocations.
TAPE 29, B
003	Mangis	Continues discussion of cash flow. Notes the credit rating reduction DVA was part of.
035	Chair Krummel	Comments on the forms.
037	Rep. Nelson	Requests the cost to open the other wing.
040	Mangis	Estimates the figure, full occupancy, would be around $1.27 Million.
057	Walter Crews	Non-Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA). Explains the situations of the officers with regard to NCOA. Testifies in favor of HB 2743 (EXHIBIT C). Expresses the desire to have a full facility and need for a second.
103	Dennis Hooyman	Veteran. Testifies in favor of HB 2743. Notes the veterans are not requesting funding, only access to the general fund if it becomes available. Describes his perception of veterans’ homes in other states throughout his life. Describes the bond between veterans to illustrate volunteering.
166	Greg Warnock	Oregon Veterans’ Association (OVA). Notes Oregon is the state with the highest percentage of veterans per capita. Testifies in favor of HB 2743 (EXHIBIT D). Offers there is only enough money in the trust fund for the next biennium. States the bill is one of the most important for the biennium.
224	Crews	Notes the list of voting member organizations provided in EXHIBIT C.
237	Peter Detrant, Jr.	Veteran. Asks how many veterans are currently being served.
245	Chair Krummel	Responds 109.
247	Detrant	Asks the budget.
250	Chair Krummel	Clarifies the budget.
253	Detrant	Responds with his belief in cost reduction concerning administration.
280	Rep. Avakian	Comments.
285	Detrant	Comments on the value of a veteran.
312	Chair Krummel	Points out the reduction many state employees are taking already.
316	Detrant	Responds that they should publicize that.
325	Chair Krummel	Closes public hearing and opens work session on HB 2743.
HB 2743 WORK SESSION
330	Brennan	Notes that the bill has been requested to be moved to the floor by the Speaker.
335	Rep. Mabrey	MOTION: Moves HB 2743 to the floor with a DO PASS recommendation and the SUBSEQUENT REFERRAL to the committee on Ways and Means BE RESCINDED.
347	Rep. Prozanski	States he supports the bill. Comments on the emergency clause.
352	Chair Krummel	Asks Rep. Mabrey is he knows.
360	Rep. Mabrey	Responds concerning drafting the bill and the clause.
370	Rep. Prozanski	Comments that the clause may need to be removed.
393	Rep. Wirth	Supports Rep. Prozanski’s suggestion. States she will give a courtesy vote to the bill regardless. Comments on her family’s involvement in the military. Speaks to the budget.
TAPE 30, B
017	Rep. Nelson	Expresses she supports the bill as it is, do pass, without the removal of the emergency clause. Voices the importance of the bill. States that current funding is a disgrace.
050	Rep. Mabrey	States that he respects Rep. Wirth’s opinions on the matter. Concurs with Rep. Nelson’s opinions
065	Rep. Mabrey	Withdraws the motion.
069	Chair Krummel	Recognizes Rep. Mabrey’s decision. Supports the decision. Voices concern there will be misunderstanding on the floor with the clause. Closes work session on HB 2743. States the bill will return.
085	Rep. Mabrey	Comments on his experience with a veteran.
096	Chair Krummel	Opens informational meeting.
INFORMATIONAL MEETING
102	Tom Ewing	Central Hearing Officer Panel (CHOP). Explains the purpose of the panel in terms of operations. Refers committee to information provided in (EXHIBIT E). Discusses professionalism of hearing officers. Speaks to the problems overcome. Discusses the geographical disparity of the offices as a continuing issue. Comments on efficiency.
257	Rep. Nelson	Requests the reason for CHOP.
261	Ewing	Explains the panel hears all issues between individuals and state agencies.
272	Rep. Nelson	Clarifies.
274	Chair Krummel	Explains the past use of CHOP.
278	Rep. Nelson	Requests how CHOP officers are selected and if CHOP is independent of all agencies.
283	Ewing	Affirms the panel is independent of all agencies. Responds he is appointed, and then hires all officers.
289	Rep. Avakian	Adds state action is included in the appeals heard by the panel.
297	Rep. Prozanski	Explains the purpose of the origination of the panel. Notes a bill that will remove the sunset clause on the agency.
336	Rep. Nelson	Poses a situation and requests how a representative would be involved.
342	Rep. Prozanski	Explains the involvement of CHOP.
351	Rep. Avakian	Adds on funds for CHOP
360	Ewing	Remarks on the breakdown of CHOP funding.
370	Chair Krummel	Notices the Board of Athletic Trainers is on the list. Explains how fees help to fund CHOP.
380	Ewing	Continues.
TAPE 31, A
002	Ewing	Explains the workload requirements and full time equivalent (FTE) employees with regard to savings and budget cuts. Speaks to water resources and business and labor regarding FTE’s.
071	Chair Krummel	Asks if licensees need to hire attorneys.
075	Ewing	Negates and explains reasons. Notes that is always good to have counsel.
089	Chair Krummel	Poses question regarding commissions.
091	Ewing	Responds concerning decisions made.
096	Chair Krummel	Clarifies boards brought in are subject to the panel.
100	Ewing	Affirms.
105	Chair Krummel	Asks if hearing officers unfamiliar with issues can cause a disadvantage.
115	Ewing	Replies regarding real estate agency plans. Discusses other licensing agencies.
137	Chair Krummel	Discusses a past issue of CHOP. Asks what happens to support people.
150	Ewing	Explains concerning involvement.
162	Chair Krummel	Understands the hearings officers decisions are not final.
170	Ewing	Estimates that 98% of decisions are and explains the other cases.
183	Rep. Nelson	Requests how CHOP pays for investigation and witnesses.
187	Ewing	Explains the board or the citizens pays for those situations
190	Rep. Nelson	Asks how they rule if the testimony is necessary.
197	Ewing	Explains CHOP does not have an advocacy role and that it tries to be impartial.
216	Chair Krummel	Closes informational meeting. Adjourns the meeting at 10:42 AM.

EXHIBIT SUMMARY

A – HB 2743, written testimony, Rep. Tim Knopp, 1 p

B – HB 2743, written testimony, Rep. John Mabrey, 2 pp

C – HB 2743, written testimony, Walter Crews, 3 pp

D – HB 2743, written testimony, Greg Warnock, 2 pp

E – Informational, CHOP, Tom Ewing, 4 pp