HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

 

 

April 21, 2005 Hearing Room C

8:30 A.M.  Tapes 77 - 79

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:            Rep. Donna Nelson, Chair

Rep. Phil Barnhart, Vice-Chair

Rep. Debi Farr, Vice-Chair

Rep. Brian Boquist

Rep. Scott Bruun

Rep. Dave Hunt

Rep. Betty Komp

 

STAFF PRESENT:                  Jim Stembridge, Committee Administrator

Erin Seiler, Committee Assistant

 

 

MEASURES/ISSUES HEARD:

                                                HB 3332 – Work Session

                                                HB 3334 - Work Session

 

 

TAPE/#	Speaker	Comments
TAPE 77, A
002	Chair Nelson	Opens the meeting at 8:39 a.m. Opens the work session on HB 3332.
HB 3332 – WORK SESSION
047	Jim Stembridge	Explains HB 3332, which authorizes Public Employees’ Benefit Board to offer high deductible health benefit plan to members of Oregon National Guard and dependents of members without health insurance coverage. Submits and summarizes -1 amendments (EXHIBIT A). Submits Albany Times-Union newspaper article titled “Citizen-Soldiers’ TRICARE” (EXHIBIT B).
061	Rep. Jeff Kropf	House District 17. Testifies in support of HB 3332.
074	Colonel Mike Caldwell	Deputy Director, Oregon Military Department. Confirms that the federal government is in the process of extending the length of health insurance coverage for National Guard soldiers serving on active duty.
107	Chair Nelson	Confirms that the extended health insurance coverage is for National Guard soldiers called up under Federal title 10 code.
110	Caldwell	Explains how extending both health insurance coverage and the length of healthcare coverage will be effective recruiting tools because of the significant percentage of National Guard soldiers who do not have medical coverage when not deployed on active duty.
129	Chair Nelson	Asks what the typical length of service and training is for new soldiers before being deployed.
132	Caldwell	Explains both the length and type of training for Oregon National Guard soldiers before being deployed.
165	Rep. Kropf	Explains how a work group has been formed with members from the Insurance Pool Governing Board for the purpose of exploring the costs associated with health saving accounts and high deductible benefits plans to Oregon National Guard soldiers.
220	Rep. Kropf	Asks that -1 amendments be adopted and that HB 3332 moves to the Ways and Means with a do pass recommendation.
228	Chair Nelson	States support for HB 3332 and the importance of providing a “safety net” for Oregon National Guard soldiers.
244	Rep. Boquist	Points out that the director of the Insurance Pool Governing Board is arranging for staff members to visit all the returning Oregon National Guard units and brief them on the Family Health Insurance Program and enroll those who qualify.
262	Rep. Barnhart	MOTION:  Moves to ADOPT HB 3332-1 amendments dated 03/23/05.
		VOTE:  7-0-0
	Chair Nelson	Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED.
272	Rep. Barnhart	MOTION:  Moves HB 3332 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.
280	Chair Nelson	Closes the work session HB 3332. Opens the work session on HB 3334.
HB 3334 – WORK SESSION
298	Jim Stembridge	Explains HB 3334, which grants property tax exemption to members of Oregon National Guard, military reserve forces or organized militia of any other state or territory called to federal active duty under certain circumstances. Submits and summarizes -1 amendments (EXHIBIT C).
305	Chair Nelson	Asks for clarification about whether there was an amendment to change page 1, line 10 of HB 3334 from “more than 30 consecutive days” to “more than 45 consecutive days.”
319	Rep. Boquist	Explains that it was discussed, but that that amendment was not drafted.
323	Rep. Jeff Kropf	House District 17. States that it would “certainly be appropriate” to make such a change and amend HB 3334 when it reaches the Senate.
329	Rep. Boquist	Points out that there is a subsequent referral attached to HB 3334 to House Revenue, but states willingness to address such an amendment when it reaches that committee
345	Rep. Farr	MOTION:  Moves to ADOPT HB 3334-1 amendments dated 04/18/05.
		VOTE:  6-0-1 EXCUSED: 1 - Komp
	Chair Nelson	Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED.
359	Rep. Farr	MOTION:  Moves HB 3334 to the floor with a DO PASS AS AMENDED recommendation and BE REFERRED to the committee on Revenue by prior reference.
		VOTE:  6-0-1 AYE:            In a roll call vote, all members present vote Aye. EXCUSED:  1 - Komp
	Chair Nelson	The motion CARRIES.
The following written testimony is submitted for the record without public testimony:
	Rep. Kropf	Submits written testimony in support of HB 3334 (EXHIBIT D).
380	Chair Nelson	Closes the work session on HB 3334.
TAPE 79, A
099	Chair Nelson	Announces that the items remaining on the agenda will be carried over until April 26, 2005. Adjourns the meeting at 10:38 a.m.

EXHIBIT SUMMARY

 

1. HB 3332, -1 amendments, staff, 1 p
2. HB 3332, Albany Times-Union Newspaper Article, staff, 1 p
3. HB 3334, -1 amendments, staff, 1 p

 

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

4. HB 3334, written testimony, Jeff Kropf, 1 p