OREGON HOUSE REPUBLICANS

LEGISLATURE FAILS TO PASS BILL ASSURING

OREGON VETERANS BETTER ACCESS TO SERVICES

HB 2926 Would Protect County Veterans Service Officers 

SALEM—The Legislature failed to pass a bill this session to assure Oregon’s veterans better access to the programs and services they need to return to civilian life. HB 2926 would have required every county to have a Veterans Service Officer (VSO), yet the bill never received a hearing.

Yesterday, veterans serving in the House of Representatives sent a letter to colleagues urging them to advance the bill this session. Today, the bill’s proponents moved to withdraw the bill from the House Veterans and Emergency Services Committee for an immediate debate and vote. The motion was rejected on a partisan vote.

“Many veterans in rural Oregon are concerned about losing their local VSOs,” said Rep. Wayne Krieger (R-Gold Beach), a HB 2926 chief sponsor. “Without a local VSO, many veterans must drive hundreds of miles in order to receive the assistance they need. The Legislature has approved many new programs for veterans over the past several years, but the services mean little if our veterans are unable to access them.”

Rep. Krieger said he introduced the bill after veterans asked for his help in keeping VSOs in their communities.  Current law makes VSOs optional for Oregon counties, making the positions an easy target for county budget cuts. HB 2926 would have made the positions immune from cuts by making VSOs mandatory.

Rep. Tim Freeman (R-Roseburg) said HB 2926 is needed to fully leverage federal dollars for veteran’s services. That’s why HB 2926 received strong support from veterans, the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Governor’s veteran’s affairs advisor.

“Cutting Veterans Service Officers is penny wise and pound foolish,” said Rep. Freeman, Vice Chair of the House Veterans and Emergency Services Committee. “Every dollar that is spent returns $182 in federal dollars. This means more services, and more help for our returning veterans.”

Rep. Freeman added, “We’ll continue our efforts to pass this bill for Oregon’s veterans.”

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