Chapter 233 Oregon Laws 2005

AN ACT

SB 856

Relating to the Commission on Asian Affairs; amending ORS 185.610, 185.620 and 358.595.

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

SECTION 1. ORS 185.610 is amended to read:

185.610. [(1) The Commission on Asian Affairs is created and shall be comprised of 11 members. Nine of the 11 members shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate under ORS 171.562 and 171.565. Of the nine members appointed by the Governor, at least one member shall be appointed from each of the congressional districts referred to in ORS 188.135. One member shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, and one member shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. In addition to the 11 members, two representatives from the Legislative Assembly, one appointed by the President of the Senate and one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall serve as nonvoting, ex officio members of the commission. All of the members of the commission shall be residents of this state.]

(1) The Commission on Asian Affairs is created. The commission has 11 members. Nine of the 11 members shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate under ORS 171.562 and 171.565. The President of the Senate shall appoint one Senator as a member of the commission, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint one Representative as a member of the commission. To the extent possible, members appointed by the Governor shall provide for representation from all areas of the state. All of the members of the commission shall be residents of this state.

(2) The term of office is three years. Appointments to fill a vacancy for [the] an unexpired term shall be made by the person who made the original appointment.

(3) The commission shall elect a chairperson and vice chairperson for a term of one year and shall determine the duties of the officers.

(4) A majority of the members of the commission constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business [but no final decision may be made without an affirmative vote of the majority of the members appointed to the commission].

(5) Appointments to the commission shall be made to ensure[, to the greatest extent possible,] ethnic representation of Asian Americans in Oregon.

SECTION 2. ORS 185.620 is amended to read:

185.620. (1) The Commission on Asian Affairs shall:

(a) Encourage the economic development of Asian Americans within this state.

(b) Establish an Asian Affairs Network to facilitate the work of the commission.

(d) Compile information relating to services available to Asian American residents of this state, including but not limited to education and training programs, work programs, dispute resolution programs, trade opportunities, housing programs, health programs, mental health programs including alcohol and drug services, and welfare programs from local, state and federal sources and through private agencies.

(e) Develop and sponsor programs in cooperation with Asian American groups and organizations to inform Asian American residents of this state of services available to them.

(f) Assess all programs of state agencies operating for the benefit of Asian American residents of this state and make recommendations to the appropriate agencies for the improvement of those programs.

[(g) In conjunction with the Oregon Heritage Commission, coordinate statewide celebrations of Asian American Heritage Month.]

[(h) Support the Economic and Community Development Department in its efforts to promote trade, tourism and economic development among this state, the United States and Asian countries.]

[(i)] (g) Submit to the Governor at the beginning of each biennium a report that describes the needs of Asian Americans identified under paragraph (c) of this subsection and that specifies the programs, projects and activities that the commission will undertake regarding those needs.

(2) As used in this section, “Asian American” means a resident of the United States who is of Asian ancestry.

SECTION 3. ORS 358.595 is amended to read:

358.595. The Oregon Heritage Commission is designated the primary agency for coordination of heritage activities and shall coordinate its activities with public and private organizations that express an interest in the heritage of Oregon. The commission shall:

(1) Prepare and adopt an Oregon Heritage Plan to address coordination for the identification, curation, restoration and interpretation of heritage resources.

(2) Increase efficiency and avoid duplication among the various interest groups that seek to preserve heritage resources.

(3) Coordinate a comprehensive inventory of state-owned cultural properties and make the inventory available to the public.

(4) In conjunction with the Economic and Community Development Department encourage tourism activities relating to heritage resources.

(5) Coordinate statewide anniversary celebrations.

(6) [In conjunction with the Commission on Asian Affairs,] Coordinate statewide celebrations of Asian American Heritage Month.

Approved by the Governor June 14, 2005

Filed in the office of Secretary of State June 15, 2005

Effective date January 1, 2006

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