Chapter 493 Oregon Laws 1999

Session Law

AN ACT

SB 951

Relating to Commission on Asian Affairs; creating new provisions; and amending ORS 185.610 and 185.620.

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

SECTION 1. The Legislative Assembly declares that the Commission on Asian Affairs shall work for the implementation and establishment of economic, social, legal and political equality for Asian Americans in this state and to maintain a continuing assessment of the issues and needs confronting Asian Americans in this state.

SECTION 2. ORS 185.610 is amended to read:

185.610. (1) The Commission on Asian Affairs is created and shall be comprised of 11 members[, all of whom shall be residents of this state]. 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.

(2) The term of office is [two] three years. Appointments to fill a vacancy for the 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 3. ORS 185.620 is amended to read:

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

[(a) Promote trade and tourism between this state and the countries of the Pacific Rim.]

[(b)] (a) Encourage the economic development of Asian Americans within this state[, the United States and abroad.]

[(c) Serve as a representative of this state in domestic and foreign markets regarding the trade, tourism and economic development of Asian Americans].

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

[(e) Develop and sponsor programs and services in cooperation with the Economic Development Department, the Oregon State Lottery Commission, Asian American groups and organizations and Oregon corporations and businesses to promote trade, tourism and economic development between this state and other domestic and foreign markets.]

[(f) Identify, design and implement programs and services necessary to promote economic development in this state, the United States and abroad.]

[(g)] (c) Identify and examine the needs of Asian American residents of this state.

[(h)] (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.

[(i)] (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.

[(j)] (f) Assess all programs of state agencies [designed to promote economic development or] operating for the benefit of Asian American residents of this state and make recommendations to the appropriate agencies for the improvement of those programs.

[(k) Report biennially to the Governor and the Legislative Assembly and recommend appropriate action on all matters of concern:]

[(A) Regarding economic development between the State of Oregon and the countries of the Pacific Rim;]

[(B) Regarding the trade and tourism of Asian Americans within this state, the United States and abroad; and]

[(C) Generally to Asian American residents of this state.]

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

(h) 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 4. Nothing in this 1999 Act affects the term of office or qualifications of any member of the Commission on Asian Affairs appointed prior to and serving on the effective date of this 1999 Act. However, as vacancies occur appointments shall be made in accordance with the requirements of ORS 185.610, as amended by section 2 of this 1999 Act.

Approved by the Governor July 6, 1999

Filed in the office of Secretary of State July 6, 1999

Effective date October 23, 1999

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