Chapter 27 Oregon Laws 2003

AN ACT

HB 2265

Relating to administration of transportation laws; amending ORS 184.615 and 184.617.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. ORS 184.615 is amended to read:

184.615. (1) The Department of Transportation is established.

(2) The Department of Transportation shall consist of the Director of Transportation and all personnel employed in the department. Except as otherwise provided in subsections (4) and (5) of this section, for purposes of administration, subject to the approval of the Oregon Transportation Commission, the director may organize and reorganize the department as the director considers necessary to properly conduct the work of the department.

(3) The department shall carry out policies adopted by the commission and all duties and responsibilities vested in it by law including, but not necessarily limited to, duties and responsibilities concerning drivers and motor vehicles, highways, motor carriers, public transit, rail, transportation safety and the Oregon Board of Maritime Pilots.

(4) The director shall appoint a manager for each area of critical concern to the department. The manager shall be responsible for planning and operations in that area, for relationships between the department and persons affected by the operations of the area, for advocacy of the area within the department planning and operations processes and for such other duties as may be provided by law. For purposes of this subsection, “area of critical concern” includes, but is not necessarily limited to, driver and motor vehicle services, highways, motor carriers, public transit, rail, transportation safety and maritime pilotage. In appointing managers under this subsection, the director shall consider recommendations of any advisory committee interested in the area of responsibility.

(5) Whenever a duty or function is specifically given by statute to the director, and that duty or function involves day-to-day operations of an area of critical concern to the department, the director shall delegate the duty or function to the manager of the area of critical concern.

SECTION 2. ORS 184.617 is amended to read:

184.617. (1) It is the function of the Oregon Transportation Commission to establish the policies for the operation of the Department of Transportation in a manner consistent with the policies and purposes of ORS 184.610 to 184.666. In addition, the commission shall perform any other duty vested in it by law.

(2) The commission shall keep complete and accurate records of all the meetings, transactions and business of the commission at the office of the department.

(3) The commission shall have general power to coordinate and administer programs relating to highways, motor carriers, motor vehicles, public transit, rail, transportation safety and such other programs related to transportation as may be assigned by law to the department.

(4) The Department of Transportation shall be the recipient of all federal funds paid to or to be paid to the state to enable the state to provide the programs and services assigned to the department, except that the Oregon Department of Aviation shall be the recipient of all federal funds paid to or to be paid to the state to enable the state to provide aviation programs and services.

Approved by the Governor March 25, 2003

Filed in the office of Secretary of State March 25, 2003

Effective date January 1, 2004

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