Veterans Will Receive Designation on Drivers Licenses

Senate Bill 1000 will allow veterans to have status listed on IDs, advocates say it will help returning vets access services.

Oregon Guard soldiers on patrol in Kabul, Afghanistan. Salem-News.com photo by Tim King

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Oregon’s men and women in uniform will be able to have their veterans’ status noted on their drivers’ licenses and identification cards under Senate Bill 1000, passed this week on the Senate floor.

“In a few months, the largest deployment of Oregon troops since World War II will return home and we need to make sure we’re ready to help them readjust and access services,” said Senator Martha Schrader (D-Canby), chair of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

“This was priority legislation for me because it’s a simple change that will make life easier for Oregonians who have served their country.”

Oregon has 341,000 veterans. With the enactment of HB 3104 last session, the Legislature directed the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs to develop and implement a veterans’ outreach program.

The Department has already identified 80,000 Oregon veterans and has assisted them in obtaining the benefits. SB 1000 would assist the Department in identifying and assisting more Oregon veterans in obtaining state and federal benefits.

“Senate Democrats have a track record of pushing for legislation that helps veterans get the services they need and deserve,” said Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin (D-Tualatin). “Outreach to returning soldiers is an ongoing logistical challenge and this bill should help make it easier to offer and provide services.”

The bill will now go directly to the House floor for a vote. SB 1000 passed out of the Joint Ways and Means Committee with a unanimous vote last week.

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Source: Oregon Legislature