HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

VETERANS' AFFAIRS

 

 

May 12, 2005 Hearing Room C

8:30 A.M.  Tapes 94 - 95

Corrected 10/17/05

MEMBERS PRESENT:            Rep. Donna Nelson, Chair

Rep. Debi Farr, Vice-Chair

Rep. Brian Boquist

Rep. Scott Bruun

Rep. Dave Hunt

Rep. Betty Komp

 

MEMBER EXCUSED:            Rep. Phil Barnhart, Vice-Chair

 

STAFF PRESENT:                  Jim Stembridge, Committee Administrator

Erin Seiler, Committee Assistant

 

MEASURES/ISSUES HEARD:

HB 2861 – Work Session

HB 2864 – Work Session

HCR 14 – Work Session

HB 2677 – Work Session

HB 2700 – Work Session

HB 2843 – Work Session

HB 3413 – Work Session

SB 486 – Public Hearing

                                                SB 575A – Work Session

 

 

TAPE/#	Speaker	Comments
TAPE 94, A
002	Chair Nelson	Opens the meeting at 8:37 a.m. Opens a work session on HB 2861.
HB 2861 – WORK SESSION
022	Jim Stembridge	Committee Administer. Explains HB 2861, which requires Director of Veterans’ Affairs to establish program to provide grants to veterans for temporary housing.
028	Chair Nelson	Closes the work session on HB 2861. Opens a work session on HB 2864.
HB 2864 – WORK SESSION
033	Jim Stembridge	Committee Administrator. Explains HB 2864, which creates Veterans’ Discharge Stipend Program to provide temporary income to veterans when discharged from active federal service. Submits and summarizes  -2 amendments (EXHIBIT A).
069	Colonel Mike Caldwell	Deputy Director, Oregon Military Department (OMD). Explains the average length of federal active duty.
089	Chair Nelson	Addresses the importance of preventing conflict between emergency assistance for veterans and for active duty soldiers.
102	Rep. Boquist	States that amendment was necessary to insert the new definition of veteran into bill.
112	Chair Nelson	Questions whether it is necessary to have language stipulating that temporary income funds should only be awarded to soldiers discharged under honorable conditions.
121	Rep. Boquist	Points out those soldiers discharged under dishonorable conditions do not qualify for veteran’s status or benefits.
133	Caldwell	Affirms that the language is correct and without conflict.
150	Rep. Nelson	MOTION:  Moves to ADOPT HB 2864-2 amendments dated 05/04/05.
		VOTE:  5-0-2 EXCUSED:  2 - Barnhart, Farr
	Chair Nelson	Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED.
155	Rep. Boquist	MOTION:  Moves HB 2864 to the floor with a DO PASS AS AMENDED recommendation and the SUBSEQUENT REFERRAL to the committee on Ways and Means BE RESCINDED and BE REFERRED to the committee on Budget.
181		VOTE:  5-0-2 AYE:            In a roll call vote, all members present vote Aye. EXCUSED:  2 - Barnhart, Farr
	Chair Nelson	The motion CARRIES.
185	Chair Nelson	Closes the work session on HB 2864. Opens a work session on HCR 14.
HCR 14 – WORK SESSION
1190	Jim Stembridge	Committee Administrator. Explains HCR 14, which recognizes June 14, 2005, as “Honor Our Oregon National Guard Day.”
198	Colonel Mike Caldwell	Deputy Director, Oregon Military Department (OMD). Identifies December 13 as the appropriate date to honor the Oregon National Guard.
219	Rep. Bruun	Recommends deletion of the specific number of OMD soldiers who have been killed in combat.
248	Rep. Bruun	MOTION:  Moves to AMEND HCR 14 on page 1, in line 8, after "Whereas," insert "gallant," and on page 1, in line 10, after "Whereas," insert "gallant," and on page 1, in line 17, after "designate," insert "December 13 of every year".
255		VOTE:  5-0-2 EXCUSED:  2 - Barnhart, Farr
	Chair Nelson	Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED.
256	Rep. Bruun	MOTION:  Moves HCR 14 be sent to the floor with a BE ADOPTED AS AMENDED recommendation.
277		VOTE:  5-0-2 AYE:            In a roll call vote, all members present vote Aye. EXCUSED:  2 - Barnhart, Farr
	Chair Nelson	The motion CARRIES. REP. NELSON will lead discussion on the floor.
284	Chair Nelson	Closes the work session on HCR 14. Opens a work session on HB 2677, HB 2700, HB 2843, and HB 3413.
HB 2677/HB 2700/HB 2843/ HB 3413 –WORK SESSION
307	Jim Stembridge	Committee Administrator. Explains the procedure for reconsideration of HB 2677, HB 2700, HB 2843, and HB 3413.
322	Rep. Bruun	MOTION:  Moves to SUSPEND the rules for the purpose of RECONSIDERING HB 2677, HB 2700, HB 2843, and HB 3413.
330		VOTE:  5-0-2 EXCUSED:  2 - Barnhart, Farr
	Chair Nelson	Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED.
355	Rep. Bruun	MOTION:  Moves to RECONSIDER HB 2677, HB 2700, HB 2843, and HB 3413.
		VOTE:  5-0-2 EXCUSED:  2 - Barnhart, Farr
	Chair Nelson	Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED.
382	Rep. Boquist	MOTION:  Moves HB 2677 to the floor with a DO PASS AS AMENDED recommendation and the SUBSEQUENT REFERRAL to the committee on Ways and Means BE RESCINDED and BE REFERRED to the committee on Budget.
397		VOTE:  5-0-2 AYE:            In a roll call vote, all members present vote Aye. EXCUSED:  2 - Barnhart, Farr
	Chair Nelson	The motion CARRIES.
400	Rep. Boquist	MOTION:  Moves HB 2700 to the floor with a DO PASS AS AMENDED recommendation and the SUBSEQUENT REFERRAL to the committee on Ways and Means BE RESCINDED and BE REFERRED to the committee on Budget.
TAPE 95, A
001	Rep. Hunt	Objects to motion.
008		VOTE:  4-1-2 AYE:               4 - Boquist, Bruun, Komp, Nelson NAY:               1 - Hunt EXCUSED:     2 - Barnhart, Farr
	Chair Nelson	The motion CARRIES.
010	Rep. Boquist	MOTION:  Moves HB 2843 to the floor with a DO PASS AS AMENDED recommendation and the SUBSEQUENT REFERRAL to the committee on Ways and Means BE RESCINDED and BE REFERRED to the committee on Budget.
017	Chair Nelson	Recesses the meeting at 9:04 a.m.
018	Chair Nelson	Reconvenes the meeting at 9:11 a.m.
019	Stembridge	Confirms that  -2 amendments had been adopted.
032	Rep. Hunt	Objects to motion.
037	Rep. Farr	Asks for verification of the testimony received from the Oregon Military Department (OMD) and the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA).
040	Chair Nelson	Confirms that OMD and ODVA are in support of HB 2843.
058	Rep. Boquist	Speaks in support of HB 2843.
088	Chair Nelson	Cites existing statute relating to the obligation of soldiers to pay business license fees.
094	Rep. Boquist	States that the goal is for soldiers to return home and have employment.
108	Colonel Mike Caldwell	Deputy Director, OMD. Summarizes the impact that indefinite deployment has on businesses owned by soldiers.
146	Rep. Hunt	Identifies several reasons why the broad language of the bill would cause the cost of the program to be fiscally unrealistic for state and local governments.
163	Chair Nelson	Suggests that the bill can be amended so that a free license is a one time event.
174		VOTE:  5-1-1 AYE:               5 - Boquist, Bruun, Farr, Komp, Nelson NAY:               1 - Hunt EXCUSED:     1 - Barnhart
	Chair Nelson	The motion CARRIES.
177	Rep. Hunt	MOTION:  Moves HB 3413 to the floor with a DO PASS AS AMENDED recommendation and the SUBSEQUENT REFERRAL to the committee on Ways and Means BE RESCINDED and BE REFERRED to the committee on Budget.
191		VOTE:  6-0-1 AYE:            In a roll call vote, all members present vote Aye. EXCUSED:  1 - Barnhart
	Chair Nelson	The motion CARRIES.
193	Chair Nelson	Closes the work session on HB 2677, HB 2700, HB 2843, and HB 3413. Opens a public hearing on SB 486.
SB 486 – PUBLIC HEARING
200	Jim Stembridge	Committee Administrator. Explains SB 486, which extends tuition waiver program of Oregon Military Department to surviving family members of members of Oregon National Guard killed while on active duty.
217	Colonel Mike Caldwell	Deputy Director, Oregon Military Department (OMD). Testifies in support of SB 486.
260	Rep. Boquist	Clarifies that tuition waiver program is one already administered by OMD and SB 486 is just an extension of the existing program.
265	Rep. Hunt	Questions whether the education program will continue to be fully funded by the federal government when it is adjusted to 100 percent for Oregon National Guard soldiers.
270	Caldwell	Clarifies the difference between the education funding under the G.I Bill and State of Oregon.
314	Chair Nelson	Verifies that tuition waivers can be used for trade schools.
377	Rep. Boquist	Verifies that the implementation language parallels the federal statute.
394	Chair Nelson	Closes the public hearing on SB 486. Opens a work session on SB 575A.
TAPE 94, B
SB 575A – WORK SESSION
001	Senator Richard Devlin	Senate District 19. Testifies in support of SB 575A.
060	Chair Nelson	Asks if Oregon Reservists could be included as eligible participants.
064	Sen. Devlin	Explains how relating clause limits applicability to Oregon National Guard, noting the possibility of having a conforming bill to make all military bills applicable to all soldiers.
073	Rep. Boquist	Expresses appreciation to Sen. Devlin for efforts on behalf of veterans’.
077	Sen. Devlin	States why benefits and rights should be applicable to all Oregon soldiers.
087	Colonel Mike Caldwell	Deputy Director, Oregon Military Department (OMD). Testifies in support of SB 575A.
094	Mac MacDonald	Representative, Veterans’ Organizations. Testifies in support of SB 575A.
105	Jack LaBox	Representative, American Legion. Testifies in support of SB 575A.
118	Harley Ray	Legislative Chair, American Legion. Testifies in support of SB 575A.
129	David McDonald	Director of Enrollment and Student Services, Oregon University System. Submits and summarizes written testimony in support of SB 575 A (EXHIBIT B).
149	Bob Duehmig	Government Relations Representative, Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU). Submits and summaries written testimony in support of SB 575A (EXHIBIT C).
155	Julie Suchanek	Legislative Advocate, Oregon Community Colleges Association (OCCA). Submits and summarizes written testimony in support of SB 575A (EXHIBIT D).
171	Rep. Hunt	MOTION:  Moves SB 575A to the floor with a DO PASS recommendation.
182		VOTE:  5-0-2 AYE:            In a roll call vote, all members present vote Aye. EXCUSED:  2 - Barnhart, Farr
	Chair Nelson	The motion CARRIES. REP. KOMP will lead discussion on the floor.
188	Chair Nelson	Closes the work session on  SB 575A. Reopens a public hearing on SB 486.
SB 486 – PUBLIC HEARING
197	Mac MacDonald	Representative, Veterans’ Organizations. Stresses the importance of extending waivers to all widows of members of the Armed Forces.
216	Rep. Farr	Points out that the waver is specifically for Oregon residents and relates only too educationally institutions in Oregon.
224	Rep. Hunt	Questions whether it is a reasonable approach to have a confirming bill to extend all benefits passed for Oregon National Guard soldiers and their family to all Oregon soldiers.
249	Chair Nelson	Explains why a specific service period needs to be set.
264	Colonel Mike Caldwell	Deputy Director, Oregon Military Department (OMD). Explains why OMD deliberately designed the bill to apply only to Oregon National Guard soldiers.
293	Chair Nelson	Asks what the OMD oversees.
295	Caldwell	Explains that OMD is the legal entity that manages the Oregon National Guard.
300	Chair Nelson	Asks whether there are other state services that would work under the OMD other than the Oregon National Guard.
319	Rep. Boquist	Identifies the difficulties of including Reservists in program.
333	Paula Brown	Deputy Director, Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA). Suggests that Oregon University System administer the educational waiver program for Oregon Reservists.
345	Caldwell	Explains how OMD is able to validate only the applications of Oregon National Guard soldiers applying for educational assistance from the Oregon Student Assistance Commission.
366	Chair Nelson	Closes the public hearing on SB 486. Adjourns the meeting at 10:04 a.m.

 

EXHIBIT SUMMARY

 

1. HB 2864, -2 amendments, staff, 4 pp
2. SB 575A, written testimony, David McDonald, 1 p
3. SB 575A, written testimony, Bob Duehmig, 1 p
4. SB 575A, written testimony, Julie Suchanek, 1 p