For the purpose of promoting mutual understanding and cooperation between the Land Conservation and Development Commission and local government in the implementation of ORS chapters 195, 196, 197 and 197A and the goals, the commission shall appoint a Local Officials Advisory Committee. The committee shall be comprised of persons serving as city or county elected officials and its membership shall reflect the city, county and geographic diversity of the state. The committee shall advise and assist the commission on its policies and programs affecting local governments. [1977 c.664 § 7; 1981 c.748 § 25a]

Sections 1 and 3, chapter 510, Oregon Laws 2023, provide:

(1) The Department of Land Conservation and Development shall convene a work group to examine strategies for expanding early learning and care facilities in this state.

(2) The work group shall consist of members selected by the Department of Land Conservation and Development, in consultation with the Department of Early Learning and Care.

(3) When making selections for the work group under subsection (2) of this section, the Department of Land Conservation and Development shall, to the extent practicable, select the following as members:

(a) Representatives from five cities and counties, one of which is a city or county that finances and operates a regional early learning and care program, who have collective knowledge, experience and expertise in zoning regulations, applicable state and local building codes and building permitting requirements and processes.

(b) Five members who are providers of early learning and care services with collective recent experience in zoning regulations, building codes and permitting processes with respect to expansion of early learning and care facilities, and who reflect the diversity of provider types in Oregon.

(c) Representatives from two advocacy or policy-making organizations that have experience working with early learning and care providers.

(d) Representatives from the Department of Land Conservation and Development with expertise in land use regulations.

(e) Representatives from the Department of Consumer and Business Services with expertise in state and local building codes.

(f) Representatives from the Department of Early Learning and Care with expertise in licensing requirements for providers of early learning services and care.

(4) The department may select up to five additional members provided that such members have experience:

(a) Working with providers of early learning services and care to expand early learning and care facilities; or

(b) With zoning regulations, applicable state and local building codes and permitting requirements and processes with respect to affordable housing expansion.

(5) Members of the work group must be individuals who reflect the geographic, racial, ethnic and gender diversity of this state.

(6) The work group shall review information and research from within Oregon and nationally concerning the impact of zoning regulations, state and local building codes and permitting practices on inhibiting or supporting expansion of early learning and care facilities. At a minimum, the review must identify and analyze:

(a) Specific barriers and challenges to siting, building or renovating early learning and care facilities, including barriers and challenges for colocating early learning and care facilities with affordable housing and other entities;

(b) Potential and actual disparate impacts that zoning regulations, building codes and permitting practices have on providers based upon diversity factors, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, language, provider type and geographic location; and

(c) Promising local, state and national standards for promoting the expansion of early learning and care facilities.

(7) The work group shall prepare a report that summarizes the findings of the review required under subsection (6) of this section. The report must include recommendations to:

(a) Reduce barriers to expanding early learning and care facilities.

(b) Support the expansion of early learning and care facilities in this state, including recommendations developed specifically for:

(A) Expansion in the five cities or counties from which work group members are selected under subsection (3)(a) of this section;

(B) Statewide expansion in cities and counties throughout this state;

(C) The Legislative Assembly to consider legislative changes the work group deems necessary or advisable in support of expansion efforts; and

(D) The Office of the Governor and relevant state agencies for possible administrative improvements.

(c) Reduce disproportionate racial and regional disparities in access to early learning and care facilities.

(8) Not later than December 31, 2024, the work group shall submit the report required by this section, in the manner provided under ORS § 192.245, to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to early child care. The work group may include in the report submitted under this subsection recommendations for legislation. [2023 c.510 § 1]

Section 1 of this 2023 Act is repealed on January 2, 2025. [2023 c.510 § 3]

COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING RESPONSIBILITIES