Senate committee hears testimony on $103,498 appropriation for Oregon Summer Star camp

Chair Manning opened a public hearing on Senate Bill 466 on behalf of the Senate Committee on Veterans Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs, which would appropriate $103,498 to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services for distribution to the Suga Community Commission to support Oregon Summer Star and declares an emergency making the appropriation effective on passage.

Sen. Suzanne Weber, sponsor of SB 466, said the appropriation would cost “less than what it takes to run one legislative office for a biennium” and argued that the funding could reach “thousands of children in Oregon.” She told the committee she would accept amendments to the bill’s funding mechanism if needed to secure passage.

The committee heard more than two dozen witnesses — camp founders, staff, former campers and military family members — who described Oregon Summer Star as a week‑long camp that connects military‑connected children with…