HB 2845 Oregon House · 2025 Regular Session

Relating to veterans; declaring an emergency.

Summary

] [ Requires an appropriation to ] Declares that it is the goal of the Legislative Assembly to fund the Department of Veterans' Affairs [ from the General Fund to be ] in an amount that is not less than $10,000,000 , from the General Fund, in 2015 dollars, adjusted for inflation. Requires the Director of Veterans' Affairs to add additional full-time positions within the department. Creates in the department the position of Veterans Employment Coordinator. [ Allows the director to appoint a deputy director, subject to approval by the Governor. ] Requires the director [ and deputy director ] to be a veteran who has received a discharge or release under other than dishonorable conditions. Allows the director to appoint a deputy director, subject to approval by the Governor. Directs the department to develop and implement one or more pilot programs for suicide prevention and workforce training and preparation. Allows moneys in the Veterans' Services Fund to be used for the pilot programs. [ Requires the Department of Transportation to accept, for issuing a driver license, an identification card issued by the United States Department of Defense or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. ] Directs the director to distribute moneys appropriated for county veterans' service officer programs on a quarterly basis. Directs the department to provide a report on the quarterly distribution process. Changes who is allowed to request county veteran discharge records. Increases from $5,000 to $10,000, the cap on the individual grant amount that is allowed under the Veteran Educational Bridge Grant Program. Directs the Department of Veterans' Affairs to work with the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission and the Judicial Department to develop a plan for establishing and maintaining a veterans' court in each county or judicial district. Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2025 Last action Jun 28, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → A-Engrossed · 6 edits

MODERATE

HB 2845 was amended to expand its scope from simply adding staff positions to making comprehensive changes to veterans' services. The bill now includes a funding goal declaration rather than a mandatory appropriation, adds a new Veterans Employment Coordinator position, clarifies director qualifications, and establishes specific implementation timelines for hiring staff. These changes make the bill more flexible for budget planning while strengthening support systems for veterans.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from primarily adding staff positions to include new employment coordination duties, clarified director qualifications, and added implementation timelines for hiring staff positions.

FISCAL

Changed from a mandatory appropriation requirement to a legislative goal declaration, giving the legislature flexibility in funding decisions while maintaining the $10 million minimum target.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new Veterans Employment Coordinator position with specific duties including assisting veterans with job placement, providing career resources, and contacting service members separating from military.

Modified director and deputy director qualifications to clarify that both must be veterans with other than dishonorable discharges, while allowing the director to appoint a deputy director with governor approval.

Added quarterly distribution requirements for county veterans' service officer program funds, with a mandate for the department to report on this distribution process.

TIMELINE

Established specific deadlines for hiring staff positions, requiring four positions by July 1, 2026, with remaining positions added by July 1, 2028.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed who can request county veteran discharge records, expanding eligibility for accessing these records.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

In committee upon adjournment.

lower

Apr 15, 2025

Committee

Referred to Ways and Means by prior reference.

lower

Apr 15, 2025

Committee

Subsequent referral to Transportation rescinded by order of the Speaker.

lower

Apr 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

Recommendation: Do pass with amendments, be printed A-Engrossed, subsequent referral to Transportation be rescinded, and be referred to Ways and Means by prior reference.

lower

Jan 17, 2025

Committee

Referred to Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans with subsequent referral to Transportation, then Ways and Means.

lower

Jan 13, 2025

Introduced

First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.

lower

5 primary · 4 co-sponsors