TAPE/#

Speaker

Comments

TAPE 70, A

001

Chair Nelson

Opens the meeting at 8:38 a.m.

010

Jim Stembridge

Committee Administrator. Reviews the committees’ travel schedule for April 15, 2005 and April 16, 2005.

084

Chair Nelson

Opens an informational meeting on the Oregon State Bar Military Assistance Panel.

OREGON STATE BAR MILITARY ASSISTANCE PANEL – INFORMATIONAL MEETING

087

Pete Shepard

Deputy Attorney General, State of Oregon. Explains the history, purpose, and work of the Oregon State Bar Military Assistance Panel. 

125

Charles Williamson

Attorney, Kell, Alterman and Runstein. Speaks to Kell, Alterman, and Runstein work with the Oregon State Bar’s Military Assistance Panel. Submits Oregon State Bar’s Military Assistance Panel Overview Report (EXHIBIT A).

164

Chair Nelson

Asks what have been the primary issues soldiers have needed legal assistance resolving.

187

Shepard

Explains that requests for legal assistance have been “unexpectedly” diverse.

196

Williamson

Identifies that Kell, Alterman and Runstein have dealt with a variety of cases, but cases have mainly involved foreclosure, credit, and family court matters.

222

Shepard

Explains how Oregon Military Department processes soldier requests for legal assistance. 

262

Rep. Barnhart

Commends the work of the Oregon States Bar’s Military Assistance Panel.

310

Chair Nelson

Closes the informational meeting on the Oregon States Bar’s Military Assistance Panel. Opens a work session on HB 2681.

HB 2681 – WORK SESSION

314

Jim Stembridge

Committee Administrator. Explains HB 2681, which requires school district to issue high school diploma upon request to veteran who served in United States Armed Forces during specified war or was present in specified operations if veteran attended high school before serving in Armed Force, did not complete high school because of service in Armed Forces and was discharged or released under honorable conditions from Armed Forces. Submits and summarizes -1 amendments (EXHIBIT B).

331

Rep. Bruun

Raises concern about the negative impact of granting high school diplomas to soldiers who are “basically kids” and removing the “incentive” for earning GED or high school degree.

357

Rep. Boquist

Explains the Department of Defense academic evaluation program that automatically evaluates and transfers military service into academic credit for young soldiers.

392

Rep. Komp

Points out that school districts have administrative procedures in place to evaluate a student’s “life experience” and award the proper academic credit.

TAPE 71, A

003

Colonel Mike Caldwell

Deputy Director, Oregon Military Department (OMD). Explains that enlistment provisions result in only a “very small slice of members of military” without high school degrees and how young soldiers do not leave military service without a high school education.

031

Chair Nelson

Asks if the language in -1 amendments is comprehensive enough to include all combat zone operations. 

039

Caldwell

Confirms that the language in -1 amendments does include any military operation when a soldier received combat pay.  

049

Mac MacDonald

Representative, Veterans’ Organizations. Verifies the necessity of a high school degree to be in the military. 

059

Chair Nelson

Confirms that an individual must complete the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test before entering the military and that it is “essentially equivalent” to a Graduation Equivalent Diploma (GED).

109

Irv Fletcher

Legislative Assistant, Office of Representative Brad Witt. Confirms the rarity that a soldier will enter or leave military duty without a high school degree or an equivalent level of education.

121

Rep. Barnhart

Explains how several minor amendments would resolve concerns \ that high school diplomas would be granted to those who have not earned it.

151

Rep. Bruun

Verifies family members will be able to request high school diplomas posthumously.

157

Chair Nelson

Closes the work session on HB 2681. Opens a work session on HB 3103.

HB 3103 – WORK SESSION

162

Jim Stembridge

Explains HB 3103, which allows State Fish and Wildlife Commission to issue hunting and angling licenses at no charge to members and recent retirees of Oregon National Guard and military reserves, members of armed forces on active federal duty and recent retirees from active federal duty. Submits and summarizes -1 amendments (EXHIBIT C).

183

Mac MacDonald

Representative, Veterans’ Organizations. States the need to delete portions of -1 amendments that are “discriminatory” to some veterans. 

212

Rep. Boquist

Explains why the bill would be politically and fiscally unfeasible without -1 amendments.

225

Rep. Barnhart

Questions the application process and regulations stipulating how often a veteran can apply for hunting and fishing license.

235

Rep. Boquist

Explains how -1 amendments clarify the definition of resident for purposes of attaining a hunting and fishing license.

244

Chair Nelson

Verifies that –1 amendments prevent out-of-state veterans from attaining a hunting and fishing license.

254

Rep. Boquist

Expresses opposition to an amendment that would increase eligibility for a free hunting and fishing license from 12 months after retirement to a lifetime of eligibility.

284

Rep. Hunt

Explains why the challenge is aligning the language in -1 amendments with the existing statutory language relating to annual renewal licenses.

309

Jeff Bodin

Veteran, Oregon Resident. Testifies in support of HB 3103.

329

Chair Nelson

Asks if a free hunting and fishing license could be made permanent for veterans with 30 percent or above service-connected disability and an “one time event” for all others veterans.

355

Rep. Hunt

Suggests a conceptual amendment to -1 amendments that would change 25 percent service-connected disability to 30 percent service-connected disability.

371

Rep. Hunt

MOTION:  Moves to ADOPT HB 3103-1 amendments dated 04/05/05 and that the measure be FURTHER AMENDED on page 1, line 23, by inserting "30 percent disabled, free" after "at least".

384

Rep. Barnhart

Questions the necessity for changing 25 percent to 30 percent service-connected disability.

404

Chair Nelson

Speaks in support of the purposed conceptual amendment.

TAPE 70, B

012

Stembridge

Explains that 25 percent service-connected disability is clear benchmark and does not necessity change to 30 percent.

027

Kris Kautz

Deputy Director for Administration, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Program.

030

Chair Nelson

Asks how many disabled veterans have received a free hunting and fishing license.

032

Kautz

Speaks to the intent of HB 3103 and -1 amendments and affirms that changing length of eligibility would significantly increase fiscal impact.

057

Rep. Hunt

Withdraws previous motion to amend HB 3013.

059

Rep. Hunt

MOTION:  Moves to ADOPT HB  3013-1 amendments dated 04/05/05.

VOTE:  7-0-0

Chair Nelson

The motion CARRIES.

065

Rep. Boquist

MOTION:  Moves HB 3103 to the floor with a DO PASS AS AMENDED recommendation and BE REFERRED to the committee on Ways and Means by prior reference.

VOTE:  7-0-0

AYE:            In a roll call vote, all members present vote Aye.

Chair Nelson

The motion CARRIES.

076

Chair Nelson

Closes the work session on HB 3103. Opens a work session on HJM 2.

HJM 2 – WORK SESSION

082

Jim Stembridge

Explains HJM 2, which urges Congress to introduce and pass legislation to allow veterans in Oregon to receive health care from health care facilities other than Department of Veterans’ Affairs health care facilities.  Submits and summarizes -1 amendments (EXHIBIT D).

087

Rep. Barnhart

MOTION:  Moves to ADOPT HJM 2-1 amendments dated 04/11/05.

VOTE:  7-0-0

Chair Nelson

Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED.

090

Rep. Barnhart

MOTION:  Moves HJM 2 be sent to the floor with a BE ADOPTED AS AMENDED recommendation.

095

Rep. Boquist

Explains why HJM 2 is important.

104

VOTE:  7-0-0

AYE:            In a roll call vote, all members present vote Aye.

Chair Nelson

The motion CARRIES.

REP. NELSON will lead discussion on the floor.

117

Chair Nelson

Closes the work session on HJM 2. Opens a public hearing on HB 3325 and HJR 47.

HB 3325/HJR 47 – PUBLIC HEARING

135

Jim Stembridge

Explains HB 3325, which modifies references to persons who qualify for loans from veterans’ program. Explains HJR 47, which proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution relating to eligibility for farm or home loan from Oregon War Veterans’ Fund. 

141

Chair Nelson

Raises concern about the political and fiscal impact of adding another item to the primary ballot.

156

Rep. Farr

Asks how election costs increase relative to the size of a ballot.

163

Stembridge

Explains the fiscal impact and why HJR 47 has a subsequent referral to the House Committee on Elections and Rules.

174

Rep. Farr

Verifies that election costs are proportionate to the size of the voter’s pamphlet.

180

Rep. Boquist

Questions whether HJR 47 should be on the next primary or general election ballot.

208

Bruce Shriver

Chief Financial Officer, Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA). Submits and summarizes written testimony in support of HJR 47 (EXHIBIT E). Submits ODVA Amendment Report on HJR 47 (EXHIBIT F).

275

Rep. Barnhart

Asks, should the Oregon Constitution be amended by HJR 47, would if it still violate federal law for ODVA to issue bonds for home loans subject to federal restrictions.

284

Shriver

Explains why ODVA would be precluded from using federal bonds for the Veterans’ Home Loan Program until both the Oregon Constitution and federal law is amended.

289

Rep. Barnhart

Verifies purpose of HJR 47.

298

Shriver

Explains that, even if HJR 47 does pass and the Oregon Constitution is changed, ODVA still would not be able to utilize federal bonds. 

310

Rep. Barnhart

Asks if passing HJR 47 would have an immediate impact on how ODVA administrates the Veterans’ Home Loan Program.

318

Shriver

Explains that the passage of HJR 47 would allow ODVA access to a small pool of funds for Reservists and Guardsmen, but unless federal law is also amended, when that pool is exhausted ODVA will have no funds for those soldiers.

327

Chair Nelson

States that it is “a disgrace” that more than a million soldiers are excluded from receiving a home loan because of federal law.

349

Rep. Barnhart

Explains why the strongest message that can be sent to Congress is to pass HJR 47, change the Oregon Constitution, and put pressure on the Congress to amend federal home loan policy.

355

Chair Nelson

Confirms that HJR 47 would resolve home loan eligibility issues.

367

Shriver

Concludes testimony (EXHIBIT E, Page 2).

TAPE 71, B

001

Shriver

Summarizes ODVA Amendment Report on HJR 47 (EXHIBIT F)

014

Chair Nelson

Asks if HJR 47 applies to Oregon Reservists.

024

Stembridge

Explains why legislative counsel needs to be contacted about application of HJR 47 to Oregon Reservists.

033

Chair Nelson

Questions what the difference is between active duty and non-active duty soldiers.

035

Colonel Mike Caldwell

Deputy Director, Oregon Military Department (OMD). Clarifies definition of active-duty soldier in with a Reserve component and regular active duty soldier.

054

Chair Nelson

Questions why all soldiers, whether in-active or active, are not eligible for Veterans’ Home Loan Program.

064

Caldwell

Explains that it is the intent of OMD to include all soldiers, regardless of duty status.

074

Shriver

Explains how the goal of HJR 47 is for all Oregon soldiers to be eligible for Veterans’ Home Loan Program under Oregon law.

099

Brenda Bayes

Operations Manager, Secretary of States Office

104

Jesse Cornett

Legislative Liaison, Secretary of States Office.

106

Chair Nelson

Asks when the next regular general election will be held in Oregon.

108

Bayes

States that the next regular scheduled statewide election will be the primary in May 2006 and the next general election will be in  November 2006.

116

Rep. Boquist

Clarifies the difference between the next regularly scheduled general election and next scheduled primary election.

119

Chair Nelson

Asks if there is any restriction as to what items are on a primary election ballot.

121

Bayes

States that there are no restrictions on the number of items that the legislature can refer to a ballot.

125

Rep. Boquist

Asks what the correct “verbology” is for defining a specific election in an election cycle.

130

Bayes

Believes the appropriate language would be “the next statewide primary election or the next statewide general election.”

138

Rep. Boquist

Asks what the appropriate bill language is for defining and citing an off-year election.

143

Bayes

Explains the costs and administrative procedures associated with putting a referral on an off-year ballot for a statewide election.

162

Rep. Barnhart

Asks if there are any constitutional restrictions preventing the legislature from establishing an election on any date.

168

Bayes

Explains the administrative timeline necessary for the Elections Division to hold an election.

188

Cornett

Explains the cost of producing the voter’s pamphlet.

198

Rep. Hunt

Asks if the Secretary of State Office has anticipated the cost of a special election in the 2005-07 Fiscal Year budget.

207

Cornett

States that the Secretary of State Office would go to the Emergency Board to fund a special election.

209

Rep. Hunt

Suspects that the cost of adding an additional measure to an already existing ballot is minimal when compared to the costs of a special election.

218

Bayes

Explains why it is difficult to assess the cost of an individual ballot measure.

228

Cornett

Confirms that the Secretary of State Office does have a bill pending to increase cost of submitting information to the voter’s pamphlet.

266

Chair Nelson

Asks if extending eligibility for a home loan to all soldiers is good recruitment tool for OMD.

270

Caldwell

States why it would add a significant benefit to OMD and be an effective tool for retention and recruitment.

293

Chair Nelson

Asks if ODVA knows of any additional fiscal resources to provide home loan bonds.

300

Shriver

Explains how after available home loan bonds are gone, ODVA would use any unrestricted money in its budget.

320

Chair Nelson

Comments on the importance of HJR 47.

335

Rep. Barnhart

Addresses the action that needs to be taken on HJR 47 before it will be ready to move out of committee.

373

Chair Nelson

Speaks to why HJR 47 should be on the ballot of the first regular primary election.

394

Shriver

Suggests establishing a work group with Legislative Counsel, Oregon Department of Justice, and Oregon State Treasure to resolve fiscal and constitutional concerns.

TAPE 72, A

004

Rep. Barnhart

Asks that if the State of Oregon were to loan money for non-governmental purposes and then collected interest on those loans, would the state be subject to federal income taxes on the interest collected. 

022

Shriver

Explains why the state would not be subject to federal income taxes on the interest.

The following written testimony is submitted for the record without public testimony:

Bruce Shriver

Submits written testimony in support of HB 3325 (EXHIBIT G).

Bruce Shriver

Submits Oregon Revises Statute Report on HB 3325 (EXHIBIT H).

038

Chair Nelson

Closes the public hearing on HB 3325 and HJR 47. Adjourns the meeting at 10:32 a.m.