Oregon 2023 Regular Session

Oregon House Bill HB3083

Introduced
1/17/23  
Refer
1/20/23  

Caption

Relating to employment preference for veterans.

Impact

By changing the employment preference guidelines, HB 3083 aims to create a more competitive hiring environment where all candidates for civil service positions are assessed based on abilities and qualifications, rather than strictly on veteran status. The bill proposes to add ten percentage points to a veteran's application score and fifteen points to a disabled veteran's application score, thereby facilitating their chances of obtaining employment while still allowing a fair competition among all candidates. This alteration may streamline hiring processes within public agencies and address concerns regarding meritocracy within civil service positions.

Summary

House Bill 3083 seeks to amend employment practices regarding civil service positions in Oregon. The bill specifically removes the requirement for public employers to give preference to veterans or disabled veterans when making promotion decisions. However, it increases the number of percentage points added to the scores of veterans and disabled veterans during the application screening process for hiring, emphasizing a shift in focus from promotion preference to hiring preference based on merit and qualifications.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 3083 appears to be cautiously optimistic among supporters who see it as a necessary modernization of employment practices that recognizes the qualifications of all applicants. However, there are apprehensions among advocates for veterans who feel that reducing promotion preferences could undermine their opportunities. The debate highlights the delicate balance lawmakers must strike between honoring veteran contributions and ensuring equitable employment practices based on merit.

Contention

One notable point of contention lies in the removal of the mandatory promotion preference for veterans and disabled veterans. Advocates for the bill argue that promoting based solely on veteran status could impede the advancement of more qualified candidates, while opponents express concern that this change could lead to decreased motivation for veterans to seek roles in public service. Furthermore, ensuring that the reforms do not negatively affect the rights and opportunities for veterans in Oregon continues to dominate discussions around the bill.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

OR HB2825

Relating to preferences for veterans in public employment selection processes.

OR HB2874

Relating to preferences for veterans in public employment selection processes.

OR HB2832

Relating to preferences for veterans in public employment.

OR SB808

Relating to preference given to servicemembers in public employment.

OR SB249

Relating to employment preference for veterans.

OR SB658

Relating to employment preference for veterans.

OR HB2253

Establishing a state employment preference for persons with disabilities and expanding the state employment preference for veterans.

OR HB3451

Updating the veteran preference ratings in state code for state employment

OR AB353

Employment policy: voluntary veterans’ preference.

OR HB2559

Relating to veterans.

Similar Bills

NV SB117

Revises provisions relating to services for veterans. (BDR 37-795)

NV SJR1

Urges Congress to enact legislation allowing certain eligible surviving spouses of veterans to receive an amount equal to the military retirement pay of the veteran after the veteran's death. (BDR R-55)

OR SB808

Relating to preference given to servicemembers in public employment.

MD HB1333

Washington County - Property Tax Credit for Disabled Veterans - Eligibility

MD SB6

Property Tax - Credit for Dwelling House of Disabled Veterans - Alterations

MD HB63

Property Tax - Credit for Dwelling House of Disabled Veterans - Alterations

OK SB1201

Veterans; enacting the Oklahoma Service Lives On Act of 2024; establishing the Oklahoma veteran's remarried surviving spouse pension. Effective date.

OR SB150

Relating to compensation for services performed in connection with a claim for a veteran's benefit; and prescribing an effective date.