SB 658 Oregon Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Relating to employment preference for veterans.

Summary
Provides that, when an interview is an element of the process of selecting a candidate for a civil service position from an eligibility list, the public employer must interview each veteran applicant who meets the qualifications for the position and shows transferable skills if the duties of the position are performed by only one person within the public employer's organization. Requires a public employer to provide written notice to a veteran who is eliminated from consideration for a vacant civil service position. Provides the right to a jury trial and permits awards of noneconomic damages in civil suits for a violation of veterans' employment preference statutes. Modifies the period for notice of a tort claim against a public body for violation of veterans' employment preference statutes. Directs the Department of Veterans' Affairs to establish a program for investigation and nonbinding arbitration of alleged violations of veterans' employment preference statutes. Requires public employers to conduct an annual training related to veterans' employment preferences. Provides that conducting an approved annual training is an affirmative defense to a claim for violation of veterans' employment preference statutes.
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
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Jun 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
In committee upon adjournment.
upper
Jan 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs.
upper
Jan 13, 2025
Introduced
Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Noah Robinson
Noah Robinson
RRepublican
OR
2