72nd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2003 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 2648
 
                         Senate Bill 594
 
Sponsored by COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
 
 
                             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 as
introduced.
 
  Creates Task Force on Land Conservation Programs. Specifies
membership. Directs task force to study and make recommendations
on framework and standards that state agencies may use to
implement voluntary conservation easements and land acquisition
programs.
  Sunsets January 2, 2005.
  Declares emergency, effective on passage.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to land conservation programs; and declaring an
  emergency.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + (1)(a) There is created the Task Force on Land
Conservation Programs consisting of 17 members.
  (b) The President of the Senate shall appoint two members from
among members of the Senate.
  (c) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint
two members from among members of the House of Representatives.
  (d) The Governor shall appoint 13 members as follows:
  (A) One member from the Department of Land Conservation and
Development;
  (B) One member from the State Forestry Department;
  (C) One member from the State Department of Fish and Wildlife;
  (D) One member from the State Department of Agriculture;
  (E) One member from the Division of State Lands;
  (F) One member to represent the forest industry;
  (G) One member who is a private forest landowner;
  (H) One member to represent county governments;
  (I) Two members to represent the agricultural community;
  (J) One member to represent municipal government; and
  (K) Two members to represent land conservation organizations.
  (2) The purpose of the task force is to develop and make
recommendations on a framework and standards that state agencies
may use to implement voluntary conservation easements and land
acquisition programs. The framework and standards developed shall
emphasize maintaining agricultural and forestland resources as a
working part of the Oregon landscape to ensure the economic and
social well-being of local communities, while at the same time
providing an environmental benefit that supports the Oregon Plan.
  (3) The task force shall consider the following in the
development of the framework and standards:
  (a) Consistency and compatibility with local government land
use plans and state land use goals;
  (b) Impacts to local government tax bases;
  (c) Conservation priorities;
  (d) The maintenance of lands with high conservation values;
  (e) Valuing continued private ownership of lands;
  (f) The problems posed for recording and tracking easements and
management plans;
  (g) Stressing continued commodity production, while enhancing
noncommodity values such as scenic, cultural, fish, wildlife and
recreational resources; and
  (h) Maximizing the use of conservation easements.
  (4) The task force shall develop legislation for recommendation
to the Seventy-third Legislative Assembly.
  (5) The task force is subject to the provisions of ORS 171.605
to 171.635 and has the authority contained in ORS 171.505 and
171.510.
  (6) The task force shall use the services of permanent
legislative staff to the greatest extent practicable.
  (7) A majority of the members of the task force constitutes a
quorum for the transaction of business.
  (8) Official action by the task force requires the approval of
a majority of the members of the task force.
  (9) The task force shall elect one of its members to serve as
chairperson.
  (10) The task force may presession file legislation in the
manner provided in ORS 171.130 for interim committees. All
legislation recommended by official action of the task force must
indicate that it is introduced at the request of the task force.
  (11) Members of the task force who are not members of the
Legislative Assembly are not entitled to compensation, but may be
reimbursed for actual and necessary travel and other expenses
incurred by them in the performance of their official duties, in
the manner and amounts provided for in ORS 292.495. Claims for
expenses shall be paid out of funds appropriated to the
Legislative Assembly for that purpose. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + Section 1 of this 2003 Act is repealed on
January 2, 2005. + }
  SECTION 3.  { + This 2003 Act being necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency
is declared to exist, and this 2003 Act takes effect on its
passage. + }
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