HB2845: Relating to veterans; declaring an emergency.

Legislative Summary

Makes many changes to ODVA laws. (Flesch Readability Score: 73.8). [Digest: Makes ODVA create more positions and hire staff. Makes ODVA create pilot programs on suicide prevention and workforce training. Makes ODOT accept an ID issued by USDOD or USDVA. (Flesch Readability Score: 65.7).] [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.