(1) As used in this section, ‘prohibited species’ means a species that may not be imported, possessed, sold, purchased, exchanged or transported in this state, as established by rule by the State Fish and Wildlife Commission.

(2) The commission shall review and update the list of prohibited species as the commission deems necessary to protect against significant risks to public health from zoonotic disease.

(3) If the Oregon Health Authority identifies a wildlife species as posing a significant risk to public health from zoonotic disease:

(a) The authority shall notify the commission of the risk as soon as practicable.

(b) After the notification, the commission shall review and update relevant rules related to wildlife as necessary to protect the public from the risk, including by adding the species to the list of prohibited species.

(4) In making decisions under this section, the commission:

(a) Shall use the best available science.

(b) Shall consult with the authority and the State Department of Agriculture.

(c) May consult with bona fide scientific or educational institutions, as defined in ORS § 498.022, and any other experts with relevant expertise.

(5) In addition to actions described in this section, the commission may take any lawful action the commission deems necessary to protect the public from a potential for transmission of zoonotic disease.

(6) Notwithstanding subsection (5) of this section, this section does not authorize commission action related to a species utilized in farm use, as defined in ORS § 308A.056. [2022 c.9 § 3]