Bill would let Civil Air Patrol use National Guard armories and facilities at no cost with conditions

The House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans heard testimony Thursday on Senate Bill 806, which would allow the Civil Air Patrol to use an armory or other Oregon National Guard facility for official business at no cost provided the use does not interfere with militia members or units stationed there and is approved by the officer in charge and military supervisors.

Legislative staff summarized the measure as having minimal fiscal impact and reported it passed the Senate 28–0 with two excused votes. Russell Gibson of the Oregon Military Department said the change would help a partner organization that trains with the Oregon Air National Guard and provides valuable training opportunities for Guard aircrews.

Scott McGuire, identified as wing commander for the Civil Air Patrol, told the committee his organization of about 694 people across 13 squadrons faces rental costs and occasional difficulty finding stable meeting space: “Right now, for instance, our Grama Pass Squadron pays rent, for a facility near the airport, and they would be much happier if they were at a guard facility where they didn't have to pay rent.” Lieutenant Thomas Morgan of the Salem Composite Squadron said the Salem armory is used for weekly physical training and is “a very useful place to have,” adding the cadets sometimes lack other nearby spaces.

Gibson said the department sometimes requires insurance or incidental-cost payments for certain events but that routine weekly meetings would likely carry only de minimis incidental costs. Civil Air Patrol staff described storing six aircraft in hangars and said they are exploring options to reduce hangar rent but noted complications at larger military airfields. Committee members expressed general support and asked mechanical and budgetary questions; testimony emphasized the partnership between the Civil Air Patrol and the Oregon National Guard.