(1) The Environmental Justice Council is established within the office of the Governor. The council consists of 13 members appointed by the Governor. The members must be persons who, to the greatest extent practicable, represent minority communities, low-income communities, environmental interests, industry groups and geographically diverse areas of this state. The members shall be appointed as follows:

(a) Eight members shall be persons who have expertise and knowledge in environmental justice, as well as expertise in at least one of the following areas:

(A) Climate change, climate resilience or climate justice;

(B) Environmental laws, regulations and standards;

(C) Natural resources management;

(D) Land use planning and development;

(E) Sustainability;

(F) Community organizing;

(G) Civil rights and disability rights;

(H) Environmental health;

(I) Energy;

(J) Agricultural operations and food systems;

(K) Water planning and management; or

(L) Forest management.

(b) Of the members appointed under paragraph (a) of this subsection, at least one shall represent remote communities, at least one shall represent rural communities and at least one shall represent coastal communities. The Governor may solicit nominations for members described in this paragraph from community-supported natural resource collaboratives.

(c) One member shall be appointed from among persons nominated by the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs.

(d) One member shall be appointed from among persons nominated by the Commission on Black Affairs.

(e) One member shall be appointed from among persons nominated by the Commission on Hispanic Affairs.

(f) One member shall be appointed from among persons nominated by the Commission on Indian Services.

(g) One member shall be appointed as a youth representative, who must be at least 16 but no more than 24 years of age when appointed.

(2) The council shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to the environment, in the manner provided under ORS § 192.245, setting forth its view of the progress of natural resource agencies toward achieving the goals established pursuant to ORS § 182.542 and identifying any other environmental issues that the council determines need attention.

(3) The term of office of each member is four years, except that the term of office of the member appointed as youth representative is two years. A member serves at the pleasure of the Governor. Before the expiration of the term of a member, the Governor shall appoint a successor whose term begins on January 1 of the following year. A member may be reappointed. If there is a vacancy for any cause, the Governor shall make an appointment to become immediately effective for the unexpired term.

(4) A member of the council is entitled to compensation and expenses in the manner and amounts provided for in ORS § 292.495. Claims for compensation and expenses incurred in performing functions of the council shall be paid out of funds appropriated to the Governor for that purpose.

(5) The council shall elect one of its members as a chairperson and another as vice chairperson, for the terms and with the duties and powers necessary for the performance of the functions of such offices as the council determines.

(6) A majority of the members of the council constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

(7) The council shall meet at least once every three months at times and places specified by the chairperson. The council also shall meet at other times and places specified by the call of the chairperson or of a majority of the members of the council.

(8) The office of the Governor may enter into an interagency agreement under ORS § 190.110 with the Department of Environmental Quality for purposes of providing clerical and administrative staff support to the council and for sharing in the administrative or other expenses of the council.

(9) Natural resource agencies and other state agencies as requested by the council are directed to assist the council 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 council consider necessary to perform their duties. [2007 c.909 § 2; 2011 c.273 § 5; 2022 c.58 § 2]

Section 19, chapter 58, Oregon Laws 2022, provides:

Notwithstanding the amendments to ORS § 182.538 by section 2 of this 2022 Act, members appointed to the Environmental Justice Task Force before the operative date specified in section 22 of this 2022 Act [August 1, 2022] shall continue to serve the remainder of their terms as members of the Environmental Justice Council unless replaced by the Governor in accordance with ORS § 182.538 (3). [2022 c.58 § 19]

See note under 182.535.

[1953 c.588 § 4; 1955 c.152 § 1; repealed by 1957 c.624 § 14]