(a) The Governor shall appoint 14 members as follows:

(A) One member to represent the counties of this state.

(B) One member to represent the cities of this state.

(C) Three members to represent telecommunications service providers and Internet service providers in this state. At least one member must represent a service provider headquartered in rural Oregon.

(D) One member to represent Oregon tribes.

(E) One member to represent education.

(F) One member to represent economic development.

(G) One member to represent public safety.

(H) One member to represent health.

(I) One member to represent the State Chief Information Officer.

(J) One member from the Public Utility Commission.

(K) One member to represent the Department of Transportation.

(L) One member to represent consumers and the public at large.

(b) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint one nonvoting member who is a member of the House of Representatives.

(c) The President of the Senate shall appoint one nonvoting member who is a member of the Senate.

(2) The term of office of each voting member is four years, but a voting member serves at the pleasure of the Governor. Before the term of a voting member expires, the Governor shall appoint a successor whose term begins on January 1 next following. A voting member is eligible for reappointment. If there is a vacancy for any cause, the Governor shall make an appointment that becomes immediately effective for the unexpired term.

(3) The nonvoting legislative members shall serve two-year terms and are eligible for reappointment.

(4) Members of the council who are not members of the Legislative Assembly are not entitled to compensation, but voting members may be paid expenses if funding is available from contributions the Oregon Business Development Department accepts under ORS 285A.157 (2).

(5) Members of the council who are members of the Legislative Assembly are entitled to compensation and expense reimbursement as provided in ORS 171.072.

(6) The council shall select one of the council’s voting members as chairperson and another voting member as vice chairperson, for such terms and with duties and powers necessary for performing the functions of the offices as the council determines.

(7) A majority of the voting members of the council constitutes a quorum for transacting business.

(8) The council shall meet at least once every three months at a place, day and hour determined by the council. The council may also meet at other times and places specified by the call of the chairperson or of a majority of the members of the council.

(9) A majority of the voting members of the council must approve official action by the council. The council may recommend legislation, public policy and solutions to address the state’s broadband needs and goals.

(10) The council shall champion statewide access to broadband services and shall encourage:

(a) Coordination between existing organizations and sectors that can leverage broadband to their advantage;

(b) State agencies to encourage and facilitate broadband deployment;

(c) The development and support of digital inclusion and education programs to encourage broadband adoption and provide citizens with institutions to teach digital skills necessary for success in the workplace;

(d) Efforts to provide cost-effective quality workforce development training using telecommunications infrastructure and facilities to access distance learning opportunities;

(e) Schools, education service districts and local education agencies in unserved areas to promote broadband access for the surrounding community;

(f) Public and private entities to seek opportunities for partnership with educational institutions that will stimulate the use of broadband technologies through community projects and public education;

(g) The use of broadband communications technologies for telehealth and telemedicine; and

(h) Public and private organizations to work together in partnership to promote the use of telecommunications infrastructure and new technology.

(11) The Oregon Business Development Department shall provide staff or facilities to the council.

(12) The State Chief Information Officer, the Public Utility Commission and the Department of Education may provide staff or facilities to the council.

(13) All agencies of state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, shall assist the council in the performance of the council’s duties and, to the extent permitted by laws relating to confidentiality, to furnish such information and advice as the members of the council consider necessary to perform the members’ duties. [2009 c.782 §1; 2011 c.272 §9; 2011 c.545 §3; 2015 c.807 §33; 2019 c.648 §3]

Note: 285A.154 to 285A.160 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 285A or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.