Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs

Requires, on or after January 1, 2023, officials of public bodies to grant news media representatives access to scenes of wildfires or natural disasters on public lands that are otherwise closed to public. Provides exceptions when access may be denied or when access may be limited to news media representatives who have received basic fire and natural disaster site safety training approved by associations representing professional news media and public safety agencies. Authorizes on-site scene commanders or designees to grant unescorted access to scenes of wildfires or natural disasters to news media representatives who assume own risk and without promise of rescue. Provides that mandated news media access rules do not apply to property owned by specified educational institutions. Directs Department of State Police ] Office of Emergency Management to convene committee of equal numbers of news media and public safety agency stakeholders to develop voluntary guidelines for basic fire and natural disaster site safety training for news media representatives, examples of when circumstances warrant denial of access to news media representatives and other specified topics. Directs stakeholder committee designees to report on work of committee to House Interim Committee on Rules prior to September 1, 2022. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Amends law governing urban flood safety and water quality district. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Directs county governing body of each county to designate person to ensure interment of unclaimed cremated or reduced ] human remains of veteran or spouse, dependent or survivor of veteran. Limits civil liability except for gross negligence. Requires cemetery association ] funeral establishment, crematory operator , cemetery authority, alternative disposition facility operator, licensed funeral service practitioner or other entity in possession of unclaimed cremated or reduced ] human remains of veteran or spouse, dependent or survivor of veteran to release cremated or reduced ] human remains and associated veteran status information upon request to veterans' remains coordinator under certain circumstances . Limits civil liability for release of veteran status information except for gross negligence. Requires cemetery association ] funeral establishment, crematory operator , cemetery authority, alternative disposition facility operator, licensed funeral service practitioner or other entity in possession of unclaimed cremated or reduced ] human remains of veteran or spouse, dependent or survivor of veteran to notify county veterans' service officer under certain circumstances. Requires funeral establishment, crematory operator, cemetery authority, alternative disposition facility operator or licensed funeral service practitioner in possession of unclaimed human remains of veteran or spouse, dependent or survivor of veteran to apply for state or federal benefits under certain circumstances. Authorizes funeral establishment, crematory operator, cemetery authority, alternative disposition facility operator or licensed funeral service practitioner in possession of unclaimed human remains of veteran or spouse, dependent or survivor of veteran to cremate, reduce or inter unclaimed human remains under certain circumstances. Directs county veterans' service officer to report information about veteran or spouse, dependent or survivor of veteran to United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Requires county veterans' service officer to establish and maintain list of reported information and to make information available upon request to veterans' remains coordinator.

Requires that declarations and extensions of states of emergency under certain statutes be accompanied by written explanations. Establishes durational limits for states of emergency declared under certain statutes. Provides that certain extensions of states of emergency may be made only with approval of Legislative Assembly. Provides that emergency rules and orders expire upon termination of state of emergency. Provides that, after termination of state of emergency, Governor may not declare another state of emergency for same purpose unless so authorized by Legislative Assembly. Provides that states of emergency in effect on effective date of Act are terminated 30 days after effective date of Act unless extended. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Provides that public employer may require veteran must ] to provide evidence of eligibility for veterans' preference in public employment at time of application for civil service position. Provides that evidence may include any documentation demonstrating preference eligibility. Modifies law relating to interviews of veterans for vacant civil service positions. Provides that public employer that does not interview veteran must provide written explanation of reasons for decision. Permits disabled veteran or surviving spouse of deceased disabled veteran to use state park, individual campsite or day use fee area without charge. ] Directs Department of Veterans' Affairs to develop and implement programs that assist veterans to transition from military service to workforce or business community. Permits use of moneys in Veterans' Services Fund to develop, implement and maintain programs. ] Directs department to develop and implement programs that assist veterans to transition into or maintain stable housing. Permits use of moneys in Veterans' Services Fund to develop, implement and maintain programs. ] Requires department to report to Legislative Assembly regarding status of workforce and housing grant programs by September 15, 2024. ] Repeals sunset on Veteran Educational Bridge Grant Program. Exempts members of Oregon National Guard from Oregon Promise eligibility requirement that applicant first accept federal aid grants available to person. ] Provides 100 percent property tax exemption for homestead or personal property of veteran aged 65 years or older with service-connected disabilities of 100 percent or more or surviving spouse of veteran who died from service-connected injury or illness or received at least one year of 100 percent exemption. ] Repeals partial exemption for homestead of surviving spouse of veteran of American Civil War or Spanish-American War. ] Designates portion of U.S. Highway 30 as Oregon Veterans Memorial Highway. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.