(1) The Public Records Advisory Council is created.

(2) The Public Records Advisory Council consists of:

(a) The Secretary of State or a designee of the Secretary of State;

(b) The Attorney General or a designee of the Attorney General;

(c) The Director of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services or a designee of the director;

(d) A representative of the news media who is a member in good standing of a professional journalism association and who is appointed by the Governor;

(e) Two additional representatives of the news media who are appointed by the Governor;

(f) A representative of the cities of this state who is appointed by the Governor;

(g) A representative of the counties of this state who is appointed by the Governor;

(h) A representative of the special districts of this state who is appointed by the Governor;

(i) A representative of the public sector workforce who is appointed by the Governor;

(j) A member of the public who is appointed by the Governor;

(k) A Senator who is appointed by the President of the Senate and who serves as an ex officio nonvoting member;

(L) A Representative who is appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and who serves as an ex officio nonvoting member; and

(m) The Public Records Advocate.

(3) The council shall elect a chairperson and a vice chairperson, who each shall serve in that capacity for a two-year term, or until their membership on the council ends, whichever is of shorter duration. A chairperson or vice chairperson may be reelected to their positions.

(4) At any time when the office of Public Records Advocate is vacant:

(a) The council shall convene at the time and place designated by the chairperson but within 30 days of the vacancy of the office of Public Records Advocate;

(b) The council shall take up the question of the process, selection and appointment of a new Public Records Advocate; and

(c) The individual who had vacated the office of Public Records Advocate may participate in deliberations and vote on the slate of nominees unless the individual vacated the office for reasons described in ORS § 192.461 (4).

(5) The appointment of a member of the council described in subsection (2)(d) to (j) of this section is subject to confirmation by the Senate in the manner prescribed in ORS § 171.562 and 171.565.

(6) A member of the council described in subsection (2)(d), (e) or (j) of this section is entitled to compensation and expenses as provided in ORS § 292.495.

(7) The members of the council described in subsection (2)(d) to (L) of this section shall each serve two-year terms and may be reappointed to successive terms.

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

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

(10) All public bodies, as defined in ORS § 192.311, shall assist the council in the performance of its duties and, to the extent permitted by laws relating to confidentiality, furnish such information, including public records, and advice as the members of the council consider necessary to perform their duties.

(11)(a) The council may support or oppose legislation relating to public records law.

(b) The council may request that one or more legislators introduce legislation relating to public records law. [2017 c.728 § 8; 2019 c.107 § 2; 2021 c.582 § 2]