(1) The Oregon Nursing Advancement Fund is established separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Oregon Nursing Advancement Fund shall be credited to the fund. Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon State Board of Nursing to be used as specified in subsection (2) of this section.

(2) The principal amount accrued in the fund shall be remitted quarterly on dates established by rule of the Oregon State Board of Nursing to an Oregon nonprofit organization, exempt from taxation under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, that:

(a) Works to advance the profession of nursing in this state through research, leadership development, educational support and advocacy for nursing;

(b) Conducts research studies on the nursing workforce in this state, including projected supply and demand of nurses and workforce shortages in nursing education and practice;

(c) Distributes information free of charge about the nursing workforce in this state to residents of this state; and

(d) Convenes nursing organizations to address issues and recommendations identified through nursing workforce research. [2015 c.660 § 2; 2016 c.113 § 2]

678.417 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS Chapter 678 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.