Post by RHMorgan on Jul 26, 2007 12:58:00 GMT -5
2007 Legislative Session Outcome
of UVGO’s Priority Bills
of UVGO’s Priority Bills
To Include All Military –(This never became a Bill for this session)
Modify the statutory language that limits certain benefits to national guard members so that it includes all military branches, active-duty, reserve, and if applicable all military retirees. Also ensuring that any new bills being considered that contain similar language are inclusive of all of the above as appropriate.
Certificate of Need and Admission of Spouses – HB 3009 – This Bill Passed, effective upon passage.
Removes the certificate of need requirement for a second Veterans’ Home and also allows admission of spouses to second Veterans’ Home to be consistent with existing Veterans’ Home.
Oregon Veterans’ Home – (This never became a Bill for this session)
Seek funding for necessary industry based scheduled maintenance of the Oregon Veterans’ Home ($300,000).
Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Veterans’ Services Funding -(This never became a Bill for this session)
Allow Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs to shift of $1,300,000 from loan funds to general funds to pay for veterans’ services outside of the home loan program. This would allow the state home loan funds to be used for veterans’ home loans.
Lottery Proceeds for Oregon Veterans – HJR 38 – Not passed. In Committee upon adjournment.
Proposed an amendment to the Oregon Constitution dedicating a portion (2%) of the net proceeds of State Lottery to services for Oregon veterans. Refers proposed amendment to the people for their approval or rejection at next regular general election.
Property Tax Exemption Amount – HB 2938 – Not passed. In Committee upon adjournment.
Increase the amount of property tax exemption for disabled veterans’ residences to $25,000.
Veterans’ License Plates – HB 3161 – Passed, effective January 1, 2008.
Requires the Department of Transportation to establish a program to issue veterans’ recognition license plates. Previously, there was a requirement that group veteran’s plates sell 500 plates per year to continue to qualify as a group plate. Some group veterans’ plates were at risk of being discontinued. The new single plate veteran plate program will include all veterans groups and allows for the annual 500-plate requirement to be easily met. It includes a provision to allow specific designations on plates therefore providing a means to continue special recognitions. ($10 fee to transfer to new veteran plate)
Aid to Veterans’ Service Officers – (This never became a Bill for this session.)
Seek General Fund support for veterans’ service officers that includes veterans’ organization service officers and Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) state service officers.
Veterans’ Preference – HB 3237 – Two Bills were introduced for veterans’ preference. One moved forward and was passed - SB 822. Effective June 20, 2007.
Requires public employer to provide preference to veteran or disabled veteran and to appoint veteran or disabled veteran to civil service position if veteran's score or evaluation on civil service test is equal to or higher than score or evaluation of person who is not veteran or disabled veteran.
Permits veteran or disabled veteran to use preference more than once.
Business Enterprise Fund – HB 3160 – Not passed. Bill was in Committee upon adjournment.
Seek General Fund support for the Oregon Business Enterprise program to assist veterans with starting new businesses and the expansion of existing businesses by assisting with the cost of licensing, permits, and educational or vocational training costs. ($250,000)
Oregon Veterans Merit Scholarship Program – (This never became a Bill for this session.)
Create the Oregon Veterans Merit Scholarship program ($2,000,000). Allows the veteran to receive a merit scholarship while receiving federal educational aid. Scholarship not to exceed $2,500 for any one qualifying veteran student.
Part-Time Educational Aid – HB 2208 – Passed. Still awaiting Governor’s signature and is effective upon passage.
Makes veterans enrolled part-time in course of study or professional training eligible for state financial aid.
Veterans’ Home Loans - HB 2155 – Passed. Still awaiting Governor’s signature. Effective January 1, 2008.
Increases maximum loan amortization period for home loans made to veterans from 30 years to 40 years. Enables Department of Veterans' Affairs to periodically prescribe interest rates for
certain persons.
Contracting Flexibility – HB 2156 – Not passed. In Committee upon adjournment.
Exempts Department of Veterans’ Affairs from operation of certain laws in acquisition or sale of any interest in real property. Permits department to receive monetary and non-monetary grants, gifts and donations. Permits department to convert non-monetary grants, gifts and donations to moneys when not inconsistent with purpose or limitation specified in grant, gift or donation and to use moneys to carry out duties under law. Permits department to contract with any person to carry out department's duties under law. Declares emergency, effective on passage.
Veterans’ Spouse – HB 2157 – Passed. Effective January 1, 2008.
Adds unremarried surviving spouse of veteran to persons eligible to receive emergency financial assistance.
Advisory Committee – HB 2158 – Passed. Effective January 1, 2008.
Modifies role of Advisory Committee to Director of Veterans’ Affairs.
Home Loans – HB 2159 – Passed. Effective January 1, 2008.
Deletes monetary limit on farm loans to veterans.
Attorney Services for Veterans – HB 2160 – Passed. Effective January 1, 2008.
Deletes provisions permitting Director of Veterans’ Affairs to contract for attorney services for war veterans. Expands rulemaking authority of Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Expands role of Advisory Committee to Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Veterans’ Spouses and Survivors – HB 2161 – Passed. Effective January 1, 2008.
Expands rulemaking authority of Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Expands role of Advisory Committee to Director of Veterans’ Affairs. Adds spouses and survivors of deceased veterans to persons Director of Veterans’ Affairs may assist.
Veterans’ Survivors – HB 2162 – Passed. Effective January 1, 2008.
Expands rulemaking authority of Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Expands role of Advisory Committee to Director of Veterans’ Affairs. Adds spouses and survivors of deceased veterans to persons Director of Veterans’ Affairs may assist.
Employer Income Tax Credits – HB 3158 – Not passed. In Committee upon adjournment.
Allows employer credit against income taxes for amount paid as compensation to employees while on active duty, who are members of military reserves, Oregon National Guard or other organized militia.
Definition of Disabled Person – HB 3156 – Not passed. In Committee upon adjournment.
To modify definition of “disabled person” for purposes of homestead property tax deferral.
Students to Salute United States Flag – HB 2632 – Not passed. In Committee upon adjournment.
Requires school districts to give students the opportunity to salute Untied States flag each school day by reciting pledge of allegiance.
State Employee payroll Deduction – HB 2630 – Passed. Effective January 1, 2008.
Allow state employees to elect to have a deduction from salary or wages to Oregon Veterans’ Home Account.
Veteran Fishing and Hunting Benefits – HB 2547 – Not passed. In Committee upon adjournment.
Modify the language to increase fishing and hunting benefits to veterans, disabled veterans and military retirees and to place these benefits under Chapter 408 of Oregon Revised Statutes.