Chapter 372 Oregon Laws 2011

AN ACT

HB 2859

Relating to the preservation of Oregon history; creating new provisions; amending ORS 358.570, 358.575 and 358.595; and declaring an emergency.

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

SECTION 1. ORS 358.570 is amended to read:

358.570. (1) [To assure the conservation and development of Oregon’s heritage] There is established in the State Parks and Recreation Department the Oregon Heritage Commission consisting of nine voting members appointed by the Governor and [eight ex officio] nine advisory members, as described in ORS 358.575.

(2)(a) The term of office of each voting member is four years, but a member serves at the pleasure of the Governor.

(b) Before the expiration of the term of a member, the Governor shall appoint a successor whose term begins on July 1 next following.

(c) A member is eligible for reappointment.

(d) If there is a vacancy for any cause, the Governor shall make an appointment to become immediately effective for the unexpired term.

(3) A voting member of the commission is entitled to actual and necessary travel and other expenses as provided in ORS 292.495.

SECTION 2. ORS 358.575 is amended to read:

358.575. (1) The voting members of the Oregon Heritage Commission shall be [composed of] representatives of:

(a) Heritage interests, including Indian tribes with federal recognition, that reflect the cultural and geographic diversity of this state; and

(b) [as well as the] Heritage interests reflected in community institutions, libraries, museums, architecture, archaeology and historic preservation.

(2) The [ex officio] advisory members of the commission shall be [designees of the following]:

(a) One member designated by the Director of the Department of Land Conservation and Development;

(b) One member designated by the Trustees of the State Library;

(c) One member designated by the State Board of Higher Education;

(d) One member designated by the Oregon [Business Development Department] Tourism Commission;

(e) [The Department of Education] One member designated by the Superintendent of Public Instruction;

(f) The Executive Director of the Oregon Historical Society or a designee of the executive director;

(g) The State Archivist or a designee of the archivist; [and]

(h) The Coordinator of the State Historical Records Advisory Board or a designee of the coordinator; and

[(h)] (i) The State Historic Preservation Officer or a designee of the officer.

SECTION 3. ORS 358.595 is amended to read:

358.595. (1) 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.

(2) The commission shall:

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

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

(c) Pursuant to section 4 of this 2011 Act, develop plans for coordination among agencies and organizations dedicated to preserving Oregon historical records.

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

[(4)] (e) In conjunction with the Oregon Business Development Department encourage tourism activities relating to heritage resources.

[(5)] (f) Coordinate statewide anniversary celebrations.

[(6)] (g) Coordinate statewide celebrations of Asian American Heritage Month.

SECTION 4. (1) The Oregon Heritage Commission shall:

(a) Periodically review the authority, duties and mission of the commission, the State Archives, the State Library and the State Historical Records Advisory Board;

(b) Establish a schedule of semiannual joint meetings of representatives of the agencies listed in paragraph (a) of this subsection to define the duties of each agency and to ensure collaboration, and reduce overlap, among the agencies;

(c) Solicit, from the State Historical Records Advisory Board and other agencies and organizations dedicated to the preservation of Oregon history, a five-year plan and arrange for the agencies and organizations to review their plans jointly to define the duties of each agency and organization, to ensure collaboration, and reduce overlap, among the agencies and organizations and to consider regionalization and assistance to rural communities; and

(d) Develop a plan for centralized coordination of requests for funding from, and awards of grants to, local agencies and organizations dedicated to the preservation of Oregon history.

(2) The State Archives shall provide staff support for the duties of the Oregon Heritage Commission under this section.

SECTION 5. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the amendments to ORS 358.575 by section 2 of this 2011 Act do not affect the terms of office of the current members of the Oregon Heritage Commission and apply to membership positions on the commission only as vacancies occur.

(2) Pursuant to ORS 358.575 (2)(d), as amended by section 2 of this 2011 Act, the Oregon Tourism Commission shall designate a member of the Oregon Heritage Commission to begin service no later than January 1, 2013.

SECTION 6. This 2011 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2011 Act takes effect on its passage.

Approved by the Governor June 16, 2011

Filed in the office of Secretary of State June 16, 2011

Effective date June 16, 2011

__________