Lawmakers hear testimony backing Oregon Youth Challenge, reenlistment bonuses and guard facility repairs

The Senate Public Safety Subcommittee on Wednesday opened a public hearing on Senate Bill 5533, the Oregon Military Department’s biennial budget request, and heard testimony urging funding for youth programs, retention bonuses and facility maintenance.

Cadet Peyton Grubb and cadet Ava Richards described life changes after attending the Oregon Youth Challenge Program (OYCP). "This program changes and saves lives. It saved mine," Cadet Peyton Grubb told the committee. Cadet Ava Richards said she "learned discipline, patience, courage, and respect" at the program and described plans to return to high school to complete a diploma.

Craig Wilhelm, who serves as Oregon’s civilian aide to the secretary of the Army, asked lawmakers to support funding priorities highlighted by the Oregon Military Department, including reenlistment bonuses and OYCP operating and capital needs. "A yes vote to continue funding for the Oregon Youth Challenge Program ... is paramount," Wilhelm said. He said the program has graduated about 6,600 cadets in its 31‑year history and that the department is asking to expand capacity.

Mayor Lacey Beatty of Beaverton told the committee the Oregon National Guard provides critical emergency response and that the state request — which includes a $5,000,000 reenlistment bonus line and a $52,000,000 general fund ask for the department this biennium — is a valuable investment. "This is a smart targeted step that helps Oregon keep the experienced Guard members who are already serving our community," she said, and added that the Guard brings significant federal dollars into the state.

Testimony included specific budget and program details requested by the military department: funding to hire nine new cadre, teaching and administrative positions to meet National Guard Bureau staffing requirements and increase class capacity from about 180 to 240 cadets per class; completion of an athletic field delayed by prior cuts; and a deferred maintenance match proposal that pairs $1,500,000 in state general funds with $1,500,000 in federal funds to address aging Guard infrastructure.

Several former cadets and family members delivered personal stories about OYCP’s impact on education and life outcomes. Gloria Vlodman, a former cadet and current general manager of a Central Oregon home‑care agency, described how the program provided discipline and helped her graduate. Wendell Pelham and Daniel Grubb recounted family experiences of how OYCP changed a child’s trajectory and helped with military enlistment and career readiness.

Cochair Broadman closed the public hearing after testimony, said electronic testimony will be accepted for 48 hours, and signaled that the subcommittee had no more registrants that day. The hearing record will remain open for written testimony as the measure continues through the legislative process.