75th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2009 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 2497
 
                           A-Engrossed
 
                         House Bill 3104
                   Ordered by the House May 15
             Including House Amendments dated May 15
 
Sponsored by Representative NATHANSON; Representatives BARKER,
  BOONE, CLEM, C EDWARDS, HOLVEY, MATTHEWS, RILEY
 
 
                             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.
 
    { - Requires state agencies to add question on agency forms
and publications regarding receipt of information about veterans'
benefits. - }
   { +  Directs Department of Veterans' Affairs to establish
website that allows members of public to request information
about veterans' benefits and services. Directs department to
coordinate outreach to individuals who request information.
Requires department to provide county governments and certain
agencies with printed materials that inform individuals how to
contact department to request information.
  Requires certain agencies to include link on agency website to
department's website. Requires agencies to disseminate printed
materials in specified manner. + }
  Declares emergency, effective   { - on passage - }  { +  July
1, 2009 + }.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to information for claiming veterans' benefits; and
  declaring an emergency.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + (1) The Department of Veterans' Affairs shall
establish a website that allows members of the public to request
information about veterans' benefits and services and enter
contact information.
  (2) The department shall coordinate outreach to individuals who
request information through the website established under
subsection (1) of this section or in any other manner.
  (3) On or before October 1 of each even-numbered year, the
department shall report to the appropriate interim committees of
the Legislative Assembly on the department's outreach to
veterans. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + An agency, as defined in ORS 183.310, shall
include on the agency's website a link to the website established
by the Department of Veterans' Affairs under section 1 of this
2009 Act. + }
  SECTION 3.  { + (1) As used in this section, 'agency' has the
meaning given that term in ORS 183.310.
  (2) In order to assist veterans in claiming federal benefits
and to assist agencies and county governments in claiming federal
reimbursement for providing assistance and services to veterans,
the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall provide agencies and
county governments with printed materials to inform individuals
how to contact the department to request information about
veterans' benefits and services.
  (3) An agency or county government shall:
  (a) Make available in offices that are accessible to the public
the information provided under subsection (2) of this section;
and
  (b) When appropriate, feasible and consistent with the agency's
or county government's mission, make reasonable efforts to
provide the information provided under subsection (2) of this
section to customers or clients during face-to-face contacts.
  (4) An agency or county government may cooperate with elected
officials, local governments, school districts and community
colleges to implement other measures to direct customers or
clients to the department to obtain information about veterans'
benefits and services.
  (5) On or before October 1 of each even-numbered year, agency
directors shall report to the appropriate interim committees of
the Legislative Assembly on the effectiveness of measures
undertaken to implement the provisions of this section.
  (6) This section does not require an agency or county
government to respond to inquiries from customers or clients
about veterans' benefits or services. + }
  SECTION 4.  { + (1) Section 2 of this 2009 Act becomes
operative on October 1, 2009.
  (2) A state agency or county government may take any action
before the operative date of section 2 of this 2009 Act that is
necessary to enable the agency or government to exercise, on and
after the operative date of section 2 of this 2009 Act, all the
duties, functions and powers conferred on the agency or
government by section 2 of this 2009 Act. + }
  SECTION 5.  { + (1) Section 3 of this 2009 Act becomes
operative on January 2, 2010.
  (2) The Department of Veterans' Affairs, a state agency or a
county government may take any action before the operative date
of section 3 of this 2009 Act that is necessary to enable the
department, agency or government to exercise, on and after the
operative date of section 3 of this 2009 Act, all the duties,
functions and powers conferred on the department, agency or
government by section 3 of this 2009 Act. + }
  SECTION 6.  { + Sections 2 and 3 of this 2009 Act are repealed
on January 2, 2014. + }
  SECTION 7.  { + This 2009 Act being necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency
is declared to exist, and this 2009 Act takes effect July 1,
2009. + }
                         ----------