During the 2021 Legislative Session, I voted for the following bills that support our veterans:
HB 2139 – Rural Veterans Healthcare Transportation Grant Program
· Ensures that veterans residing in rural areas will have access to physical, mental, or behavioral health care.
SB 101 – Grants for members of the Oregon National Guard
· Supports members of the Oregon National Guard in their efforts to obtain higher education degrees by awarding them grants.
· This is a continuation of funding for veterans to attend public universities/colleges.
· Adds flexibility to expand who is eligible for the grants and how much they are able to receive.
· The project is to be funded and constructed by a qualified nonprofit corporation, so there is virtually no cost to the state apart from providing the land on which the memorial will be built.
· Oregon doesn’t have a Vietnam War memorial set up to honor veterans, and this will create a location at which families can honor their loved ones, and veterans can finally feel welcomed home.
· There was a big push for this from the VFW and American Legion.
SB 320 – No-charge fishing permits for veterans Arguments for:
· Supports veterans and gets them involved in a hands-on hobby.
· Gets veterans outdoors.
· Brings new participants in Fish and Wildlife activities.
HB 5036 – Department of Veterans’ Affairs Budget
· $3 million to provide assistance for potentially higher operational costs for the Oregon Veterans’ Homes due to COVID-19.
· $600,000 for Campus Veteran Resource Center Grants for community colleges and public universities to expand and enhance existing veteran programs on campuses.
· $650,000 for the Rural Veterans Healthcare Transportation Grant program.
· $342,689 for Veterans Services Grant.
· $100,000 for Emergency Assistance.