72nd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2003 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 2557
 
                           A-Engrossed
 
                         House Bill 2844
                  Ordered by the House April 14
            Including House Amendments dated April 14
 
Sponsored by Representative MABREY; Representatives BROWN, DALTO,
  KNOPP, KRIEGER, KRUSE, NELSON, P SMITH
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure.
 
  Establishes program in Department of Veterans' Affairs to
provide payment for reasonable funeral expenses for certain
veterans. Appropriates moneys to department for program.
  Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2003.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to funeral expenses for veterans; appropriating money;
  and declaring an emergency.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + (1) Notwithstanding ORS 408.710 to 408.750, the
Director of Veterans' Affairs shall establish a program to
provide payment for reasonable funeral expenses for eligible
veterans.  The program shall provide up to a maximum amount of
$1,000 per eligible veteran for payment of reasonable funeral
expenses for burial in a national cemetery in Oregon.
  (2) The director shall adopt rules implementing subsection (1)
of this section. The rules shall include, but are not limited to,
procedures for:
  (a) Determining eligibility;
  (b) Selecting a funeral service practitioner;
  (c) Determining reasonable funeral expenses;
  (d) Applying for a funeral expenses benefit; and
  (e) Obtaining payment of funeral expenses. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + Subject to section 1 of this 2003 Act, the
Department of Veterans' Affairs shall provide payment of
reasonable funeral expenses for up to 300 veterans annually. + }
  SECTION 3.  { + In addition to and not in lieu of any other
appropriation, there is appropriated to the Department of
Veterans' Affairs, for the biennium beginning July 1, 2003, out
of the General Fund, the amount of $600,000 for the purpose of
carrying out the provisions of sections 1 and 2 of this 2003
Act. + }
  SECTION 4.  { + This 2003 Act being necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency
is declared to exist, and this 2003 Act takes effect July 1,
2003. + }
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