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Lawmakers hear bill to expand veterans services staffing, pilot programs and restore funding baseline
Summary
Representative Paul Evans presented House Bill 2,845 to increase staffing at the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs, restore a $10 million baseline from veterans lottery funds, and finance pilot programs for workforce development and suicide prevention; veteran housing provider Courtney Place testified in support.
Representative Paul Evans told the House Emergency Management, General Government and Veterans Committee on Feb. 6 that House Bill 2,845 — the 2025 Oregon Veterans Services Supplemental Investments Initiative — aims to update veteran services staffing and pilot new programs to meet current needs.
"We need to change and evolve in meeting veterans' needs in Oregon," Rep. Paul Evans said. He described several staffing requests included in the bill: additional incarcerated veterans coordinators (Evans asked for authorization of four positions to ensure at least two are on duty), a women's veterans coordinator, staff to support state approving agency functions for education and GI Bill approval, homeless veterans coordinators, a grant support coordinator and a financial recovery ombudsperson to help veterans navigate consumer and credit problems.
Evans said the bill would seek to restore a prior funding baseline (he referenced a historical $10 million baseline connected to past appropriations and Measure 96 revenues) to ensure consistent outreach and services. He argued that outreach work and service coordination returns substantial federal dollars and cited a multiplier: "Every dollar invested in Veterans Outreach, every single dollar, brings back $251 directly," he said.
Andrew Holbert, executive director of Courtney Place Veterans Housing, testified in support and described the program's first 10 months: 34 permanent affordable apartments for low‑income veterans, peer support, transportation to medical appointments and help finding employment. Holbert said Courtney Place staff recorded hundreds of peer support hours and dozens of transport and food assistance trips in the program's first months.
Why it matters: Testimony framed the bill as a targeted investment to expand outreach, help veterans access federal benefits, pilot suicide prevention and respite programs, and fund workforce development and housing support. Advocates argued additional state spending can leverage larger federal benefits for veterans.
Next steps: The hearing closed after public testimony. Committee members asked clarifying questions about staffing, service models and eligibility; no committee vote was taken on HB 2,845 during the Feb. 6 meeting.
