Chapter 152 Oregon Laws 2003

AN ACT

SB 157

Relating to Director of Veterans’ Affairs; amending ORS 406.050.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. ORS 406.050 is amended to read:

406.050. In addition to other powers and duties, the Director of Veterans’ Affairs is authorized:

(1) To cooperate with officers and agencies of the United States in all matters affecting veterans’ welfare.

(2) To accept grants, donations and gifts on behalf of this state for veterans’ welfare from any person, corporation, government or governmental agency. Grants, donations and gifts so received shall be deposited with the State Treasurer and credited to a trust fund. Moneys in the trust fund are continuously appropriated to the director and expendable for the purposes specified in subsections (3) and (4) of this section. Interest earned on the moneys in the trust fund created under this subsection shall accrue to the trust fund.

(3) To expend all or any portion of a grant, donation or gift for the purposes specified in the grant, donation or gift.

(4) To expend all or any portion of a grant, donation or gift in the trust fund created under subsection (2) of this section for the administration of ORS 406.010 to 406.070, 406.090, 406.210, 406.220 and 406.340 and for the administration and purposes of ORS 408.368 when:

(a) The director determines that the purpose specified in the grant, donation or gift has been satisfied, or is not feasible or appropriate; or

(b) The grant, donation or gift specifies no purpose.

(5) To donate or otherwise transfer all or any portion of a grant, donation or gift to other persons, corporations or entities engaged in serving veterans if the director determines that the nature of the grant, donation or gift makes use by the director or conversion to cash for use by the director not feasible or appropriate.

(6) To act as agent or attorney in fact for any war veteran and the dependents or beneficiaries of any war veteran relating to rights under any federal or state law.

(7) To act without bond as conservator of the estate of:

(a) A person who qualifies for benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs [when the director determines no other suitable person will so act].

(b) A dependent, an immediate family member, a survivor or a former spouse who has not remarried of a person who qualifies for benefits, or who qualified for benefits while alive, from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, as those persons are defined by rule by the director.

(8) On behalf of the State of Oregon to extend such assistance as the director shall determine to be reasonably required to any war veteran and to the dependents of any such war veteran, in the prosecution of any claim or claims before the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or any other federal or state agency, the securing of employment or relief and any other benefits to which they might be entitled. The director may adopt rules and regulations with respect to all matters of administration to carry into effect the purposes of this section.

(9) To require and collect such reasonable service charges as the director deems necessary and expedient to carry out a duty, or to exercise a power or authority, conferred on the director by law.

Approved by the Governor May 30, 2003

Filed in the office of Secretary of State June 2, 2003

Effective date January 1, 2004

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