Committee hears bill to align state law with federal authorizations for assistant adjutant generals

The House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans held a public hearing Thursday on Senate Bill 801, which would update state statute to align with federal authorizations for assistant adjutant generals in the Oregon National Guard and require an acting adjutant general to provide a fidelity bond within 30 days of assuming duties.

Russell Gibson, government legislative affairs director for the Oregon Military Department, told the committee the bill is “a purely administrative measure.” He explained that federal authorizations currently provide four assistant adjutant general positions—two for the Army National Guard and two for the Air National Guard—but state statute lists only three. The measure would update state statute to authorize four positions and add a 30-day deadline for an acting adjutant general to provide the required fidelity bond.

Gibson said the statutory authorization does not by itself fund state active-duty positions: “The authority for these positions in state statute does not mean they are automatically funded in any state active duty or other state funded status.” Committee members asked questions about whether the change would increase the number of general officers and about typical force-structure arrangements in other states. Gibson answered that the bill aligns state code with existing federal authorizations and noted most states have one two-star adjutant general and four one-star assistant adjutants.

Legislative staff summarized the measure and noted it passed the Senate unanimously and has no fiscal or revenue impact. The committee closed the public hearing after members’ questions.