71st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2001 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 3394
 
                           A-Engrossed
 
                         House Bill 3111
                  Ordered by the House April 9
            Including House Amendments dated April 9
 
Sponsored by Representative KROPF (at the request of Oregon Fire
  Chiefs' Association)
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure.
 
  Creates interim Volunteer Firefighter Task Force. { +  Requires
task force to report to Seventy-second Legislative Assembly and
Governor. + }
  Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to volunteer firefighters; and prescribing an effective
  date.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + (1) As used in this section:
  (a) 'Eastern Oregon' means that portion of the state lying east
of a line beginning at the intersection of the northern boundary
of the State of Oregon and the western boundary of Wasco County,
thence southerly along the western boundaries of the counties of
Wasco, Jefferson, Deschutes and Klamath to the southern boundary
of the State of Oregon.
  (b) 'Western Oregon' means that portion of the state lying west
of a line beginning at the intersection of the northern boundary
of the State of Oregon and the western boundary of Wasco County,
thence southerly along the western boundaries of the counties of
Wasco, Jefferson, Deschutes and Klamath to the southern boundary
of the State of Oregon.
  (2) There is created an interim Volunteer Firefighter Task
Force to study and report on the status of volunteer firefighters
and volunteer-based fire jurisdictions in rural areas of the
state. The task force shall consist of the State Fire Marshal, or
a designee thereof, as an ex officio member and eight members
appointed by, and serving at the pleasure of, the Governor.
Members appointed by the Governor shall include:
  (a) A chief of a fire department or district located in western
Oregon and composed wholly or primarily of volunteer
firefighters. In making the appointment, the Governor shall seek
nominations from the Oregon Fire Chiefs' Association.
  (b) A chief of a fire department or district located in eastern
Oregon and composed wholly or primarily of volunteer
firefighters. In making the appointment, the Governor shall seek
nominations from the Oregon Fire Chiefs' Association.
  (c) A director of a fire department or district composed wholly
or primarily of volunteer firefighters. In making the
appointment, the Governor shall seek nominations from the Oregon
Fire District Directors Association.
  (d) A representative of the Oregon Volunteer Firefighters
Association or a similar organization.
  (e) A representative of the Oregon State Firefighters Council
or a similar organization.
  (f) A representative of an Oregon employer.
  (g) Two representatives of the public.
  (3) The Governor shall complete appointment of the task force
no later than January 1, 2002. The task force shall meet as often
as the members consider necessary. The task force shall study the
problems and challenges faced by rural fire departments and fire
districts in recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters. The
study shall include a review of actions taken by other states to
address problems and challenges faced by volunteer firefighters
and by rural fire departments and fire districts that rely on
volunteer firefighters.
  (4) Members of the task force are entitled to compensation and
expenses under ORS 292.495. Claims for expenses incurred in
performing functions of the task force shall be paid out of funds
available for that purpose.
  (5) The office of the State Fire Marshal shall provide staff
services to the task force. All agencies, departments and
officers of this state are directed to assist the interim task
force in the performance of its functions and to furnish
information and advice as the task force considers necessary.
  (6) Official action by the task force shall require the
approval of a majority of the members. The task force shall
submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the
Seventy-second Legislative Assembly and to the Governor no later
than January 31, 2003. All legislation recommended by official
action of the task force must indicate that it is introduced at
the request of the task force. Such legislation shall be prepared
in time for presession filing under ORS 171.130, for presentation
to the regular session of the Seventy-second Legislative
Assembly. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + This 2001 Act takes effect on the 91st day
after the date on which the regular session of the Seventy-first
Legislative Assembly adjourns sine die. + }
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