75th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2009 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 3579
 
                         Senate Bill 942
 
Sponsored by Senator VERGER; Senators BURDICK, CARTER,
  MORRISETTE, PROZANSKI, Representatives BARNHART, OLSON, J SMITH
  (at the request of Teddy Keizer)
 
 
                             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.
 
  Requires Department of Environmental Quality to create and
implement Oregon Climate Corps to place individuals throughout
Oregon to work on efforts to address climate change. Specifies
types of projects to be included in program. Requires individuals
participating in program to pay fee to cover costs of training
and placement.
  Establishes Oregon Climate Corps Fund. Continuously
appropriates moneys in fund to department to implement program.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to the Oregon Climate Corps; and appropriating money.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + (1) The Department of Environmental Quality
shall create and implement the Oregon Climate Corps to place
individuals throughout Oregon's urban and rural communities to
provide volunteer service and act as catalysts in furthering the
efforts of public bodies as defined in ORS 174.109, the private
sector and non-governmental organizations in addressing the
challenges Oregon faces from climate change.
  (2) In developing and implementing the Oregon Climate Corps,
the department shall model the program on other successful public
service programs, including but not limited to AmeriCorps and
AmeriCorps VISTA.
  (3) Individuals participating in the program shall work on
projects meant to address climate change challenges, including
but not limited to:
  (a) Energy efficiency projects, such as home weatherization and
the installation of solar energy panels;
  (b) Carbon sequestration projects such as local community
tree-planting initiatives;
  (c) Environmental education projects in local communities,
private businesses and schools; and
  (d) Projects with private businesses to help the businesses
achieve a zero carbon footprint.
  (4)(a) To cover the costs of training and placement in the
Oregon Climate Corps, a program participant shall pay a fee of
$___ to the department, to be deposited in the Oregon Climate
Corps Fund established in section 2 of this 2009 Act.
 
  (b) The department may accept grants, donations, contributions
or gifts, from any source, for expenditures for any purpose
consistent with the purposes of this section, to be deposited in
the Oregon Climate Corps Fund established in section 2 of this
2009 Act. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + (1) The Oregon Climate Corps Fund is
established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the
General Fund. Interest earned by the Oregon Climate Corps Fund
shall be credited to the fund. Moneys in the fund are
continuously appropriated to the Department of Environmental
Quality for the purposes specified in section 1 of this 2009 Act.
  (2) The Oregon Climate Corps Fund consists of:
  (a) Fees specified in section 1 of this 2009 Act that the
department receives from participants in the program;
  (b) Any grants, donations, contributions or gifts received by
the department pursuant to section 1 of this 2009 Act; and
  (c) Any funds appropriated by the Legislative Assembly. + }
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