Bill Text: OR SB655 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs.

Spectrum: Committee Bill

Status: (Failed) 2011-06-30 - In committee upon adjournment. [SB655 Detail]

Download: Oregon-2011-SB655-Introduced.html

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     76th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2011 Regular Session

NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .

LC 1280

                         Senate Bill 655

Sponsored by COMMITTEE ON GENERAL GOVERNMENT, CONSUMER AND SMALL
  BUSINESS PROTECTION

                             SUMMARY

The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.

  Creates Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs to
represent immigrant and refugee interests in state.

                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs; creating
  new provisions; and amending ORS 182.538, 185.005 and 409.619.
  Whereas nearly 1 in 10 Oregonians was not born in the United
States; and
  Whereas immigrants and refugees comprise 12 percent of the
state's workforce; and
  Whereas no state entity is dedicated to analyzing the impact of
policy decisions on Oregon's foreign-born population, and no
state entity specifically advocates for immigrant and refugee
affairs; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + (1) The Commission on Immigrant and Refugee
Affairs is created to work for the implementation and
establishment of economic, social, legal and political equality
for immigrants and refugees in this state and to maintain a
continuing assessment of the issues and needs confronting
immigrants and refugees in this state.
  (2)(a) The commission has 11 members. Nine of the 11 members
shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by
the Senate under ORS 171.562 and 171.565. The President of the
Senate shall appoint one Senator as a member of the commission,
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint one
Representative as a member of the commission.
  (b) Appointments to the commission shall be made to ensure
representation of immigrants and refugees in Oregon, with an
attempt to provide varied geographic and ethnic representation.
  (c) All of the members of the commission must be residents of
this state.
  (3) The term of office of each member of the commission is
three years. Appointments to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term
shall be made by the authority who made the original appointment.
  (4) The commission shall elect a chairperson and vice
chairperson for a term of one year and shall determine the duties
of the officers.
  (5) A majority of the members of the commission constitutes a
quorum for the transaction of business.
  (6)(a) Members of the commission who are not legislators shall
be paid compensation and expenses as provided in ORS 292.495 from
funds appropriated to the Oregon Advocacy Commissions Office.
  (b) Members of the commission who are legislators shall be paid
compensation and expense reimbursement as provided in ORS
171.072, payable from funds appropriated to the Legislative
Assembly. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + The Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs
shall:
  (1) Identify and examine the needs of immigrants and refugees
in this state.
  (2) Advance an agenda of immigrant and refugee integration.
  (3) Compile information relating to services available to
immigrants and refugees in this state, including but not limited
to education and training programs, work programs, dispute
resolution programs, trade opportunities, housing programs,
health programs, mental health programs including alcohol and
drug services, and welfare programs from local, state and federal
sources and through private agencies.
  (4) Develop and sponsor programs in cooperation with immigrant
and refugee groups and organizations to inform immigrants and
refugees in this state of services available to them.
  (5) Assess all programs of state agencies operating for the
benefit of immigrants and refugees in this state and make
recommendations to the appropriate agencies for the improvement
of those programs.
  (6) Serve as a liaison to the diverse immigrant and refugee
communities of this state.
  (7) Implement any other projects identified by the commission
as advancing the purpose of the commission, as described in
section 1 of this 2011 Act.
  (8) Submit to the Governor at the beginning of each biennium a
report that describes the needs of immigrants and refugees and
that specifies the programs, projects and activities that the
commission will undertake regarding those needs. + }
  SECTION 3.  { + (1) Not later than March 1, 2013, the
Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs shall submit a report
to the Seventy-seventh Legislative Assembly.
  (2) The report required by this section shall:
  (a) Review the status of immigrant and refugee policies in this
state;
  (b) Analyze gaps or overlaps in coverage of services to
immigrants and refugees; and
  (c) Propose any legislative changes needed to help promote the
goals of the commission, as described in section 1 of this 2011
Act. + }
  SECTION 4. ORS 182.538 is amended to read:
  182.538. (1) There is established the Environmental Justice
Task Force consisting of 12 members appointed by the Governor.
The members shall be persons who are well-informed on the
principles of environmental justice and who, to the greatest
extent practicable, represent minority communities, low-income
communities, environmental interests, industry groups and
geographically diverse areas of the state. Of the 12 members, the
Governor shall appoint one member of the task force from each of
the following commissions:
  (a) The Commission on Asian Affairs;
  (b) The Commission on Black Affairs;
  (c) The Commission on Hispanic Affairs;   { - and - }
  (d) The Commission on Indian Services  { - . - }  { + ; and
  (e) The Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. + }
  (2) The task force shall submit an annual report to the
Governor 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 task force determines need attention.
  (3) The term of office of each member is four years, but 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 task force who is not a member of the
Legislative Assembly 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
task force shall be paid out of funds appropriated to the
Governor for that purpose.
  (5) The task force 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 task force determines.
  (6) A majority of the members of the task force constitutes a
quorum for the transaction of business.
  (7) The task force shall meet at least once every three months
at times and places specified by the chairperson. The task force
also shall meet at other times and places specified by the call
of the chairperson or of a majority of the members of the task
force.
  (8) The Governor shall provide the task force with the
necessary clerical and administrative staff support.
  (9) Natural resource agencies are directed to assist the task
force 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 task force consider
necessary to perform their duties.
  (10) A member of the task force who is a member of the
Legislative Assembly may serve in an advisory capacity only.
  SECTION 5. ORS 185.005 is amended to read:
  185.005. The Oregon Advocacy Commissions Office is established
to provide administrative support to:
  (1) The Commission on Hispanic Affairs;
  (2) The Commission on Black Affairs;
  (3) The Commission for Women;   { - and - }
  (4) The Commission on Asian Affairs  { - . - }  { + ; and
  (5) The Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. + }
  SECTION 6. ORS 409.619 is amended to read:
  409.619. (1) The Oregon Council on Health Care Interpreters is
created in the Oregon Health Authority. The council shall consist
of   { - 25 - }   { + 26 + } members appointed as follows:
  (a) The Governor shall appoint two members from each of the
following groups:
  (A) Consumers of medical services who are persons with limited
English proficiency and who use health care interpreters;
  (B) Educators who either teach interpreters or persons in
related educational fields, or who train recent immigrants and
persons with limited English proficiency;
  (C) Persons with expertise and experience in administration or
policymaking related to the development and operation of
policies, programs or services related to interpreters, and who
have familiarity with the rulings of the federal Office for Civil
Rights concerning interpreter services for various institutions;
  (D) Health care providers, consisting of one physician and one
registered nurse, who utilize interpreter services regularly in
their practice;
  (E) Representatives of safety net clinics that predominantly
serve persons with limited English proficiency; and
  (F) Representatives of hospitals, health systems and health
plans predominantly serving persons with limited English
proficiency.

  (b) The Governor shall appoint one representative from each of
the following agencies and organizations after consideration of
nominations by the executive authority of each:
  (A) The Commission on Asian Affairs;
  (B) The Commission on Black Affairs;
  (C) The Commission on Hispanic Affairs;
  (D) The Commission on Indian Services;
   { +  (E) The Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs; + }
    { - (E) - }   { + (F) + } The International Refugee Center of
Oregon;
    { - (F) - }   { + (G) + } The Oregon Judicial Department's
Certified Court Interpreter program;
    { - (G) - }   { + (H) + } The Commission for Women; and
    { - (H) - }   { + (I) + } The Institute for Health
Professionals of Portland Community College.
  (c) The Director of the Oregon Health Authority shall appoint
three members including:
  (A) One member with responsibility for administering mental
health programs;
  (B) One member with responsibility for administering medical
assistance programs; and
  (C) One member with responsibility for administering public
health programs.
  (d) The Director of Human Services shall appoint:
  (A) One member with responsibility for administering
developmental disabilities programs; and
  (B) One member with responsibility for administering programs
for seniors and persons with disabilities.
  (e) The membership of the council shall be appointed so as to
be representative of the racial, ethnic, cultural, social and
economic diversity of the people of this state.
  (2) The term of a member shall be three years. A member may be
reappointed.
  (3) If there is a vacancy for any cause, the appointing
authority shall make an appointment to become immediately
effective for the unexpired term. The appointing authority may
appoint a replacement for any member of the council who misses
more than two consecutive meetings of the council. The newly
appointed member shall represent the same group as the vacating
member.
  (4) The council shall select one member as chairperson and one
member as vice chairperson, for such terms and with duties and
powers as the council determines necessary for the performance of
the functions of such offices.
  (5) The council may establish such advisory and technical
committees as it considers necessary to aid and advise the
council in the performance of its functions. The committees may
be continuing or temporary committees. The council shall
determine the representation, membership, terms and organization
of the committees and shall appoint committee members.
  (6) A majority of the members of the council shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business.
  (7) Members of the council are not entitled to compensation,
but at the discretion of the Director of the Oregon Health
Authority may be reimbursed for actual and necessary travel and
other expenses incurred by them in the performance of their
official duties, subject to ORS 292.495.
  (8) The council may accept contributions of funds and
assistance from the United States Government or its agencies or
from any other source, public or private, for purposes consistent
with the purposes of the council.
  (9) The Oregon Health Authority shall provide the council with
such services and employees as the council requires to carry out
its duties.
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