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Panel hears bill to extend civil‑service hiring preferences to Oregon National Guard members
Summary
Senate Bill 808 would add current and former members of the Oregon National Guard to existing civil‑service hiring and promotion preferences now reserved for veterans. Testimony framed the change as a recruitment and retention tool and asked the committee to recognize state service performed by Guard members.
Chair Manning opened a public hearing on Senate Bill 808. Committee staff summarized the measure as adding current and former Oregon National Guard members to existing hiring and promotion preferences given to veterans in civil service.
Russell Gibson of the Oregon Military Department told the committee that, under current federal and state definitions, Title 32 service does not automatically confer veteran status and that a service member can spend a 20‑year Guard career without qualifying as a veteran under those definitions if not deployed. Gibson said SB 808 would add “state service member” and “former state service member” definitions so those who served honorably in the Oregon National Guard would receive veterans’ preference points in hiring and promotion.
Tim Cowan, speaking as an individual, offered personal remarks praising the quality and attitude of National Guard members and noted the value they bring as employees. Committee members including Senator Meek expressed support for aligning state hiring preference rules to recognize National Guard service.
No formal committee vote on SB 808 was recorded in the transcript; the chair closed the public hearing after testimony.
