Title 19, Miscellaneous Matters Related to Government and Public Affairs

As used in ORS 196.105 to 196.125: (1) “Commission” means the Columbia River Gorge Commission established under section 5 of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act, P.L. 99-663. (2) “General management area” means the area within the scenic area that is not an urban ar…

(1) The Legislative Assembly, considering the recommendations of the Land Conservation and Development Commission, finds that the management plan adopted pursuant to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act achieves on balance the purposes of the statewide planning goals…

If the urban area boundaries of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area are revised to include land that was once within the general management area or the special management area, the management plan no longer applies to that land and the applicable provisions of ORS chapt…

(1) Notwithstanding any provision setting forth criteria or conditions for approval of a permit or requiring action by the county in ORS chapter 92, 195, 196, 197, 197A or 215 or in a local ordinance or charter, a county may deny any permit or otherwise refuse to take any action …

(1) For purposes of judicial review, decisions of the Columbia River Gorge Commission shall be subject to review solely as provided in this section, except as otherwise provided by the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act, P.L. 99-663. (2)(a) A final action or order by t…

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in any proceeding by a state agency or local government to acquire property within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, through the exercise of the power of eminent domain, the property value shall not be reduced because of an…

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no state agency, special district or local government may exercise any regulatory power for the purpose of establishing a scenic buffer around the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Such regulatory powers include but are not…

The Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon hereby ratifies the Columbia River Gorge Compact set forth below, and the provisions of such compact hereby are declared to be the law of this state upon such compact becoming effective as provided in Article III. __________________…

The Governor, the Columbia River Gorge Commission and all state agencies and counties are hereby directed and provided authority to carry out their respective functions and responsibilities in accordance with the compact executed under ORS 196.150 to 196.165 and the Columbia Rive…

(1) Each member of the Columbia River Gorge Commission appointed by the Governor under ORS 196.150 shall be subject to Senate confirmation pursuant to section 4, Article III of the Oregon Constitution and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor until the member’s term expires…

(1) The Columbia River Gorge Commission established under ORS 196.150 may designate its employees as employees and the commission as an employer subject to the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System under ORS chapters 238 and 238A or as an employer and employees subject to a r…

(1) The Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon hereby ratifies the Pacific Ocean Resources Compact as set forth in ORS 196.180. This compact shall take effect after two or more of the States of Alaska, California, Hawaii or Washington ratify the compact and consent is grante…

The provisions of the Pacific Ocean Resources Compact are as follows: ______________________________________________________________________________ ARTICLE I Findings and Purpose A. The parties recognize: (1) The States of Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington and th…

One member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate and one member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall act as the representatives of the State of Oregon on the Pacific Ocean Resources Compact in accordance w…

As used in ORS 196.200 to 196.240 and 196.993, “Willamette Falls Locks project” means: (1) The project for navigation, Willamette Falls Locks, Willamette River, Oregon, authorized by the Act of June 25, 1910 (61 P.L. 264, 36 Stat. 630, 664, chapter 382); (2) Any land in which the…

(1) The Willamette Falls Locks Authority is established as a public corporation and shall exercise and carry out all powers, rights and privileges that are expressly conferred upon the authority, are implied by law or are incident to such powers, rights and privileges. The author…

(1) The Willamette Falls Locks Authority shall consist of no fewer than seven and no more than 11 individuals appointed by the Governor. An authority member holds office for a term of four years but may be removed at any time at the pleasure of the Governor. Members are eligible …

(1) The Willamette Falls Locks Authority shall appoint an executive director. The executive director is the executive officer of the authority responsible for day-to-day operations. Subject to the supervision of the authority, the executive director is authorized to direct the af…

(1) Except as may otherwise be provided by law, the Willamette Falls Locks Authority may, within or outside the state: (a) Adopt, alter, amend or repeal policies, procedures or bylaws for the organization, administration, development and management of the authority. (b) Enter int…

(1) Pursuant to ORS 196.220, the Willamette Falls Locks Authority may create and maintain an entity that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, for the purpose of advancing the mission of the authority. (2) Any entity c…

(1) The Willamette Falls Locks Authority may from time to time issue and sell revenue bonds in accordance with ORS chapter 287A, except that ORS 287A.150 (2) to (6) do not apply to revenue bonds issued by the authority. Revenue bonds issued by the authority are not to any extent …

(1) As used in this section: (a) “Credit enhancement agreement” means any agreement or contractual relationship between the Willamette Falls Locks Authority and any bank, trust company, insurance company, surety bonding company, pension fund or other financial institution providi…

(1) The Willamette Falls Locks Authority shall submit to periodic audits by the Secretary of State. The authority shall, no less than annually, retain a public accounting firm to examine and attest to the financial operations of the authority. The authority shall include the resu…

As used in ORS 196.405 to 196.515, unless the context requires otherwise: (1) “Council” means the council established in ORS 196.438. (2) “Exclusive Economic Zone” has the meaning set forth in Proc. 5030 whereby the United States proclaimed jurisdiction over the resources of the …

It is the policy of this state to: (1) Work with the States of Washington and California to explore the possibility of development of communication information systems including a computerized system of coastal and marine resource information. (2) Work with the States of Washingt…

(1) State agencies shall, to the maximum extent practicable, coordinate development of coastal and ocean information systems with those in adjacent states. (2) State agencies with responsibility for oil spill and hazardous material response, damage assessment and compensation in …

The Legislative Assembly finds: (1) Oregon’s territorial sea encompasses all the rocks and islands of the Oregon National Wildlife Refuge, borders all beaches, headlands and rocky intertidal areas and includes areas heavily used for commercial and recreational fishing. Navigation…

The Legislative Assembly finds that: (1) The Pacific Ocean and its many resources are of environmental, economic, aesthetic, recreational, social and historic importance to the people of this state. (2) Exploration, development and production of ocean resources likely to result f…

It is the policy of the State of Oregon to: (1) Conserve the long-term values, benefits and natural resources of the ocean both within the state and beyond by giving clear priority to the proper management and protection of renewable resources over nonrenewable resources; (2) Enc…

To ensure the conservation and development of ocean resources affecting Oregon consistent with the purposes of ORS 196.405 to 196.515, a program of ocean resource planning and management is established. This program shall be known as the Oregon Ocean Resources Management Program …

(1) The Department of Land Conservation and Development is designated the primary agency for coordination of ocean resources planning. The department is designated the State Coastal Management Agency for purposes of carrying out and responding to the Coastal Zone Management Act o…

(1) The Governor shall establish an Ocean Policy Advisory Council that is staffed by the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Land Conservation and Development and other departments as the Governor deems necessary. The council shall be composed of: (a) The Gov…

(1) The purposes of the Ocean Policy Advisory Council are to: (a) Periodically review the Territorial Sea Plan and submit recommendations for the plan to state agencies represented on the council. The council shall recommend deletions to the Territorial Sea Plan of all site desig…

(1) A member of the Ocean Policy Advisory Council is entitled to compensation and expenses as provided in ORS 292.495. (2) The council shall meet at least once every six months at a place, day and hour determined by the council. The council also shall meet at other times and plac…

(1) The Ocean Policy Advisory Council shall establish a permanent scientific and technical advisory committee chaired by the director of the Sea Grant College program or other similarly qualified member of the council. The committee shall: (a) Make recommendations to the council …

(1) The Ocean Policy Advisory Council may establish project review panels to address and coordinate the interests of state, federal and local governments in specific development proposals. (2) The council may adopt guidelines to establish criteria to create review panels and dete…

To insure that the Oregon Ocean Resources Management Plan and Territorial Sea Plan are coordinated with federal agency programs for coastal and ocean resources, the Ocean Policy Advisory Council may invite federal agencies with responsibility for the study and management of ocean…

(1) The Oregon Ocean Resources Management Plan and Territorial Sea Plan, when adopted pursuant to ORS 196.471, shall be compatible with acknowledged comprehensive plans of adjacent coastal counties and cities. (2) To insure that the plan is compatible with the comprehensive plans…

(1) The Land Conservation and Development Commission shall review the Territorial Sea Plan and any subsequent amendments recommended by the Ocean Policy Advisory Council to either the Territorial Sea Plan or the Oregon Ocean Resources Management Plan and make findings that the pl…

(1) If a state agency incorporates the Oregon Ocean Resources Management Plan and Territorial Sea Plan by reference in its coordination program and, upon a finding by the Land Conservation and Development Commission that the agency has amended its rules, procedures and standards …

ORS 196.405 to 196.515 shall be known as the Oregon Ocean Resources Management Act. [1987 c.576 §2; 2025 c.2 §8] (Marine Reserves)

The State Department of Fish and Wildlife, State Fish and Wildlife Commission, State Land Board and relevant state agencies shall, consistent with existing statutory authority, implement: (1) The November 29, 2008, recommendations from the Ocean Policy Advisory Council on marine …

In implementing the activities described in ORS 196.540 pursuant to ORS 196.545, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife shall use local resources where feasible and practical. [2012 c.27 §3; 2024 c.38 §3] Note: See note under 196.540.

(1) The State Department of Fish and Wildlife, in consultation with members from the scientific and technical advisory committee established under ORS 196.451, other relevant marine and fishery scientists, relevant state agencies, ocean users and coastal communities shall impleme…

(1) The State Department of Fish and Wildlife may accept only gifts, grants or contributions from any source for deposit in the State Wildlife Fund established in ORS 496.300 that are consistent with the department’s work plan specified in ORS 196.545. (2) Any designation of mari…

Designation of marine reserves requires periodic reporting by the State Department of Fish and Wildlife in consultation with other relevant state agencies on the accomplishment of the goals described in ORS 196.545 (2)(e). The State Department of Fish and Wildlife and the State L…

(1) The Oregon Ocean Science Trust is established, consisting of seven members appointed as follows: (a) The President of the Senate shall appoint one member from among members of the Senate. (b) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint one member from among memb…

The Oregon Ocean Science Trust shall: (1) Promote peer-reviewed, competitive research and monitoring that leads to increased knowledge and understanding of Oregon’s ocean and coastal resources; (2) Promote innovative, collaborative, community-oriented, multi-institutional approac…

(1) The Oregon Ocean Science Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Oregon Ocean Science Fund shall be credited to the fund. Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Ocean Science Trust …

(1) Moneys deposited in the Oregon Ocean Science Fund may be used to reimburse: (a) The State Treasurer for the costs of administering the fund as provided in ORS 196.567. (b) The Department of State Lands for the costs of administering the Oregon Ocean Science Trust as provided …