74th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2007 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 3868
 
                           A-Engrossed
 
                         House Bill 3556
                  Ordered by the Senate June 4
            Including Senate Amendments dated June 4
 
Sponsored by Representative P SMITH
 
 
                             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 Task Force on Food Safety. Requires task force to
report and make recommendations to interim legislative committee
no later than February 3, 2008. Sunsets task force.
  Declares emergency, effective on passage.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to food safety; and declaring an emergency.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + (1) There is created the Task Force on Food
Safety, consisting of the following:
  (a) Three members appointed by the Director of Agriculture.  Of
the members appointed by the director:
  (A) One shall be a representative of the State Department of
Agriculture;
  (B) One shall be a representative of food manufacturers; and
  (C) One shall be a representative of food distributors.
  (b) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives from among members of the House of
Representatives.
  (c) One member appointed by the President of the Senate from
among members of the Senate.
  (d) The State Veterinarian.
  (2) The task force shall study issues regarding the safety of
human and animal food production, manufacture, distribution and
sales in this state, including but not limited to ways to:
  (a) Achieve the statewide integration of efforts to prevent
foodborne illnesses;
  (b) Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of food safety
programs;
  (c) Redirect food safety efforts to achieve maximum benefit;
  (d) Modify inspection, enforcement and research efforts to
respond to scientifically supportable assessments of risk to
public health;
  (e) Modify food safety measures to reflect changes in available
technologies;
  (f) Cooperate with other governments and with academic and
industry resources to continuously improve food safety research
capabilities;
  (g) Improve the education of the public regarding food safety;
and
  (h) Focus food safety efforts through changes in administrative
agency duties.
  (3) The task force may appoint work groups to assist the task
force in its duties. Work group members need not be members of
the task force.
  (4) A majority of the members of the task force constitutes a
quorum for the transaction of business.
  (5) Official action by the task force requires the approval of
a majority of the members of the task force.
  (6) The task force shall elect one of its members to serve as
chairperson.
  (7) If there is a vacancy for any cause, the appointing
authority shall make an appointment to become immediately
effective.
  (8) The task force shall meet at times and places specified by
the call of the chairperson or of a majority of the members of
the task force.
  (9) The task force may adopt rules necessary for the operation
of the task force.
  (10) The task force shall submit a report, and may include
recommendations for legislation, to an interim committee related
to agriculture or health no later than February 3, 2008.
  (11) The State Department of Agriculture shall provide staff
support to the task force.
  (12) 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 incurred in performing functions of the task force shall
be paid out of funds appropriated to the State Department of
Agriculture for that purpose.
  (13) All agencies of state government, as defined in ORS
174.111, are directed to assist the task force in the performance
of its duties and, to the extent permitted by laws relating to
confidentiality, to furnish such information and advice as the
members of the task force consider necessary to perform their
duties. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + Section 1 of this 2007 Act is repealed on the
date of the convening of the next regular biennial legislative
session. + }
  SECTION 3.  { + This 2007 Act being necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency
is declared to exist, and this 2007 Act takes effect on its
passage. + }
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