Chapter 285B — Economic Development II

 

2023 EDITION

 

 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT II

 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 

INDUSTRIAL LANDS LOAN FUND

 

285B.003  Definitions for ORS 285B.003 to 285B.030

 

285B.006  Financial assistance for development projects; rules

 

285B.009  Forgivable loans for planning projects

 

285B.012  Other forms of financial assistance; rules

 

285B.015  Allowable costs

 

285B.018  Application process for financial assistance; rules

 

285B.021  Agreement for financial assistance

 

285B.024  Repayment; rules

 

285B.027  Breach; default

 

285B.030  Industrial Lands Loan Fund

 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

 

285B.050  Definitions for ORS 285B.050 to 285B.098

 

285B.053  Borrowing money from Oregon Business Development Fund; application; report

 

285B.056  Fees; rules

 

285B.059  Conditions for commission approval of project; limits; exceptions

 

285B.062  Loan contract; required provisions; repayment plan; state liability

 

285B.063  Annual adjustment of maximum contract amounts

 

285B.065  Loans in distressed areas exempt from security and collateral requirements

 

285B.068  Payment of moneys for project; applicant to pay percentage of loan principal to Oregon Business Development Fund

 

285B.080  Director as agent; duties; authority to approve loans

 

285B.081  Repayment and collection; rules

 

285B.083  Use of refinancing and other financial assistance for repayment

 

285B.086  Authorization to lend funds for joint governmental projects or match money; form of loan application; loan limit

 

285B.089  Loan contract; required provisions; repayment schedule

 

285B.092  Oregon Business Development Fund; uses; transfer of unobligated funds

 

285B.093  Oregon Targeted Development Account; purpose; exemption from minimum interest rate

 

285B.098  Status of loan to county or municipality; project as security; repayment

 

(Temporary provisions relating to Oregon CHIPS Fund grant and loan program are compiled as notes following ORS 285B.098)

 

CAPITAL ACCESS PROGRAM

 

285B.109  Definitions for ORS 285B.109 to 285B.119

 

285B.111  Purpose of ORS 285B.109 to 285B.119

 

285B.113  Contracts with financial institutions to participate in program; required contents; disclosure of information

 

285B.115  Loss reserve accounts; policies; rules; moneys as property of state

 

285B.117  Enrollment of qualified loan in program; notice to department; fees; transfers to loss reserve accounts; rules and limits for loans

 

285B.118  Claims for reimbursement of losses; reimbursable costs; repayment to loss reserve account

 

285B.119  Capital Access Fund; investment; retrieval of interest; administrative expenses

 

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

 

(Oregon Small Business Development Act)

 

285B.120  Oregon Small Business Development Act

 

285B.123  Purpose

 

(Small Business Expansion Loan Fund)

 

285B.130  Loans from Small Business Expansion Loan Fund; application fees; eligibility; loan agreements; loan limits; moneys reserved for low to moderate income applicants; rules

 

285B.133  Small Business Expansion Loan Fund; purposes; sources of moneys; special transfers to and from fund

 

(Small Business Development Centers)

 

285B.165  Purpose of ORS 285B.165 to 285B.171

 

285B.168  Grants; application; required provisions; authorized uses; eligibility; subcontracts; report

 

285B.169  Centers to collaborate with state agencies and private sector

 

285B.171  Short title

 

(Miscellaneous)

 

285B.174  Programs to assist businesses in procuring government contracts and grants

 

MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

 

285B.178  Definitions for Microenterprise Development Act

 

285B.179  Purposes of Microenterprise Development Act

 

285B.186  Short title

 

CREDIT ENHANCEMENT FUND

 

285B.200  Definitions for ORS 285B.200 to 285B.218

 

285B.203  Purpose of Credit Enhancement Fund

 

285B.206  Duties of department; rules; application procedure; agreement contents

 

285B.209  Fees and terms for loan and credit guarantees

 

285B.215  Credit Enhancement Fund; uses; sources

 

285B.218  Pledge to assure repayment; transfer of funds to pay claims

 

LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 

285B.230  Local economic development strategy

 

285B.233  Legislative findings; purpose

 

285B.236  Guidelines for local economic development strategies; required provisions; rules

 

285B.260  Local Economic Opportunity Fund; uses; rules

 

285B.266  Strategic Reserve Fund; uses

 

INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

 

285B.280  Definition of “traded sector”

 

285B.283  Policy

 

285B.286  Entrepreneurial and industry development activities

 

285B.290  Industry Competitiveness Fund; uses

 

(Temporary provisions relating to outdoor gear and apparel industry grants are compiled as notes following ORS 285B.290)

 

STATE REVENUE BONDS FOR INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL, SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT USES

 

285B.320  Purpose of ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371

 

285B.323  Definitions for ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371

 

285B.326  Request for issuance of bonds; fees; rules; reimbursement for expenses

 

285B.329  Review of project by commission; exception

 

285B.335  Powers of department; lease requirements

 

285B.338  Powers of commission

 

285B.341  Limitation on state power

 

285B.344  Issuance of bonds

 

285B.350  Method of issuing bonds

 

285B.353  Administrative expenses

 

285B.356  Refunding bonds

 

285B.359  Validity of bonds

 

285B.362  Covenants in bonds

 

285B.365  Limitations of bonds; recitals

 

285B.368  Powers and rights of bondholders

 

285B.371  State interest in eligible projects not necessary for loans; security

 

INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

 

(Generally)

 

285B.410  Definitions for ORS 285B.410 to 285B.482

 

285B.413  Legislative findings; purpose; use of moneys; rules

 

285B.419  Administration of Special Public Works Fund; rules and policies

 

(Levee Project Assistance)

 

285B.420  Financial assistance for levee projects; required findings

 

285B.421  Levee Project Grant Fund; limits; matching funds; rural and distressed areas

 

(Municipal Development Projects)

 

285B.422  Funding to municipalities for development projects; criteria for project funding; prohibited uses

 

(Assistance from Special Public Works Fund)

 

285B.428  Application for funds; rules

 

285B.437  Contract with municipality; required provisions; repayment

 

285B.440  Primary use of moneys in fund; standards for awarding grants; limitations; rules

 

285B.449  Effect of failure to comply or default

 

285B.455  Special Public Works Fund; uses; administration of fund

 

285B.456  Levee Project Subaccount

 

285B.458  Grants for assistance to distressed or rural areas; minimum

 

285B.460  Funding and assistance for planning projects

 

285B.462  Funding and assistance for emergency projects

 

285B.465  Allowable costs of projects

 

(Revenue Bond Financing)

 

285B.467  Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority to determine eligibility for revenue bond financing; rules; request for issuance; allowable costs

 

285B.470  Powers of authority

 

285B.473  Issuance of revenue bonds

 

285B.476  Application of law to revenue bonds; proceeds; maximum duration of loans

 

285B.479  Nature of revenue bonds

 

285B.482  Revenue bonds as parity bonds; consolidation of bond proceeds; loans and consolidated funds as security for water or development projects

 

(Temporary provisions relating to Tide Gate Grant and Loan Fund are compiled as notes following ORS 285B.482)

 

INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS FOR SOUTHERN OREGON

 

285B.500  Purpose of ORS 285B.500 to 285B.512; legislative findings

 

285B.503  Oregon Unified International Trade Fund; uses

 

285B.506  Grant agreements; maximum grant amount; required provisions; assignment of right to receive grant moneys; agreement not to constitute state debt or liability

 

285B.509  Agreements between primary sponsor and United States

 

285B.512  End of lottery allocations upon certification by administrator of authority

 

285B.515  “Primary sponsor” and “project sponsor” defined

 

LOTTERY BONDS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

 

285B.530  Definitions for ORS 285B.530 to 285B.548

 

285B.533  Issuance of infrastructure lottery bonds; amount; use of bond proceeds

 

285B.548  Amount of infrastructure lottery bonds

 

285B.551  Issuance of additional lottery bonds; uses; maximum amounts; Economic Infrastructure Project Fund

 

(Temporary provisions relating to issuance of lottery bonds for miscellaneous projects are compiled as notes following ORS 285B.551)

 

SAFE DRINKING WATER PROJECTS

 

(Generally)

 

285B.560  Definitions for ORS 285B.560 to 285B.599

 

285B.563  Water Fund; uses; conditions for making loan; grant awards; investment of fund moneys; rules and policies

 

285B.566  Use of awards

 

285B.569  When constitutional restrictions apply to use of certain funds

 

(Revenue Bond Financing of Safe Drinking Water Projects)

 

285B.572  Eligibility of project for revenue bond financing; rules; decision to issue bonds

 

285B.575  Issuance of revenue bonds

 

285B.578  Nature of revenue bonds

 

285B.581  Repayment plans; required provisions; loan contract; sources for repayment

 

285B.584  Powers of authority

 

285B.587  Deposit and use of bond proceeds

 

285B.590  Other forms of financial assistance

 

285B.593  Technical assistance grants and loans; uses; rules

 

285B.596  Funding of distressed area or nonurban water projects

 

285B.599  Effect of failure to repay to Water Fund; default

 

OREGON BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION PROGRAM

 

285B.600  Definitions for ORS 285B.600 to 285B.620

 

285B.602  Rules

 

285B.605  Certification of eligible employers; time period to approve application

 

285B.608  Application for certification; requirements

 

285B.610  Revocation of certificate

 

285B.615  Oregon Business Retention and Expansion Program; purpose; agreements; contents; loans

 

285B.618  Department estimate of program tax revenues; methodology

 

285B.620  Oregon Business Retention and Expansion Program Fund; sources; uses

 

285B.622  Transfer of moneys from Strategic Reserve Fund

 

OREGON INDUSTRIAL SITE READINESS PROGRAM

 

285B.625  Legislative findings

 

285B.626  Definitions for ORS 285B.625 to 285B.632

 

285B.627  Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Program; purpose; application; tax reimbursement arrangement; loan agreement; rules

 

285B.630  Department to obtain employment and wage information for eligible employers at regionally significant industrial sites and determine estimated incremental income tax revenues; transfer of certified amounts to funds; rules

 

285B.632  Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Program Fund; sources; uses

 

OREGON INDUSTRIAL SITE READINESS ASSESSMENT PROGRAM

 

285B.635  Legislative findings

 

285B.636  Definitions for ORS 285B.635 to 285B.640

 

285B.637  Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Assessment Program; purpose; application; grant eligibility; limitations; rules

 

285B.640  Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Assessment Program Fund; sources; uses

 

285B.642  Findings in furtherance of economic development

 

OREGON RURAL CAPACITY ASSISTANCE DISTRIBUTIONS

 

285B.651  Definitions for ORS 285B.651 to 285B.676

 

285B.655  Distributions to assist rural jurisdictions with applications for funding

 

285B.660  Oregon Business Development Department to develop policy for distributions, work with district association, oversee rural grant services

 

285B.664  Requirements for member district receiving moneys; agreements with regional

solutions advisory committees; quarterly reports; member district hiring authority

 

285B.670  Annual report to legislature by Oregon Business Development Department

 

285B.676  Oregon Rural Capacity Fund

 

(Temporary provisions relating to Agricultural Overtime Award Fund are compiled as notes following ORS 285B.676)

 

ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT

 

285B.740  Legislative intent; delegation of loan program responsibilities; powers of department; loan fees

 

285B.743  Application for entrepreneurial development loan; eligibility; rules

 

285B.746  Conditions for loan approval

 

285B.749  Additional conditions for loan approval; maximum term and amount of loan

 

285B.753  Indexing of annual revenue limit amount and total loan limit amount

 

285B.758  Oregon Entrepreneurial Development Loan Fund; uses

 

ECONOMIC EQUITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM

 

285B.760  Definitions for ORS 285B.760 to 285B.763

 

285B.761  Economic Equity Investment Program; grants; eligible projects; technical assistance

 

285B.762  Biennial evaluations of grantees’ services; report to legislature

 

285B.763  Economic Equity Investment Fund

 

DISADVANTAGED AND EMERGING SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM

 

285B.764  Definitions for ORS 285B.764 to 285B.775

 

285B.768  Oregon Business Development Department to develop and implement loan program; limits and requirements

 

285B.771  Application process; assistance from technical assistance provider required; referral of application to Oregon Business Development Department; payment of closing costs; payment of loan proceeds

 

285B.774  Disadvantaged and Emerging Small Business Loan Fund

 

285B.775  Annual report by Oregon Business Development Department to legislature

 

LENDERS’ LOAN LOSS RESERVE ACCOUNT AWARD PROGRAM

 

285B.780  Purpose

 

285B.784  Definitions for ORS 285B.780 to 285B.799

 

285B.787  RFP process for awards to lenders; limits; approval criteria

 

285B.791  Agreements with lenders; terms; waiver and breach of lender obligations upon borrower default; minimum total loan principal amount

 

285B.794  Annual report by lenders

 

285B.797  Release of lender and use of balance in account; repayment of balance

 

285B.799  Biennial report by Oregon Business Development Department to legislature

 

Note          Program evaluation by legislature; recommendations--2021 c.676 §9

 

      Note: 285A.010 contains definitions for ORS chapter 285B.

 

INDUSTRIAL LANDS LOAN FUND

 

      285B.003 Definitions for ORS 285B.003 to 285B.030. As used in ORS 285B.003 to 285B.030:

      (1) “Administrative costs” includes, but is not limited to, the direct and indirect costs incurred by the Oregon Business Development Department for:

      (a) Investigating and processing applications submitted under ORS 285B.018;

      (b) Negotiating agreements for the purposes of ORS 285B.003 to 285B.030;

      (c) Monitoring the use of moneys provided to project sponsors under ORS 285B.003 to 285B.030;

      (d) Closing a project; and

      (e) Providing financial assistance to a project sponsor.

      (2) “Brownfield” has the meaning given that term in ORS 285A.185.

      (3)(a) “Development project” means a project for the acquisition, improvement, construction, demolition or redevelopment of publicly or privately owned utilities, buildings, land, transportation facilities or other facilities that assist the economic and community development of a municipality.

      (b) “Development project” includes planning project activities that are necessary or useful to a development project as determined by the department.

      (4) “Eligible project” means a development project or a planning project.

      (5) “Environmental action” has the meaning given that term in ORS 285A.188.

      (6) “Industrial land” means land planned and zoned for industrial use that:

      (a) Is suitable for new semiconductor industry uses, or the expansion of existing semiconductor industry uses, that can provide significant additional employment in Oregon;

      (b) Has land characteristics that provide significant competitive advantages that are difficult or impossible to replicate; and

      (c) Has access to transportation and freight infrastructure, including, but not limited to, rail, port, airport, multimodal freight or transshipment facilities and other major transportation facilities or routes.

      (7) “Planning project” means:

      (a) A project related to a potential development project for preliminary and final land use planning and engineering;

      (b) A survey, land investigation or environmental action;

      (c) A financial, technical or other feasibility report, study or plan; or

      (d) Any activity that the department determines to be necessary or useful in planning for a potential development project.

      (8) “Private owner” means a private business entity or property owner that has entered into an agreement with a local jurisdiction for the development of public infrastructure to serve a private site.

      (9) “Project sponsor” means:

      (a) A public entity or private owner of industrial land that is investing in the preparation of the land for a development project by a third party; or

      (b) A public entity that has entered into a development or other agreement with the private owner of industrial land to prepare the land for a development project.

      (10) “Public entity” means:

      (a) A city or county in Oregon;

      (b) A port formed under ORS 777.005 to 777.725;

      (c) The Port of Portland created by ORS 778.010;

      (d) The tribal council of a federally recognized Indian tribe in this state; or

      (e) An airport district established under ORS chapter 838.

      (11) “Semiconductor industry use” means the use of property to:

      (a) Construct, expand, or modernize a facility for the fabrication, assembly, testing, advanced packaging or production of semiconductors, materials used to manufacture semiconductors or semiconductor manufacturing equipment; or

      (b) Conduct research and development with respect to semiconductors, materials used to manufacture semiconductors or semiconductor manufacturing equipment. [2023 c.25 §14]

 

      285B.006 Financial assistance for development projects; rules. (1)(a) The Oregon Business Development Department may provide financial assistance to a project sponsor, for allowable costs expended for an industrial land development project, from moneys in the Industrial Lands Loan Fund established under ORS 285B.030, in accordance with this section.

      (b) The financial assistance to a project sponsor may be in the form of a repayable or forgivable loan or the purchase of bonds issued by the project sponsor.

      (c) The department shall determine the amount of the financial assistance on a case-by-case basis.

      (2) Financial assistance may be provided only with respect to a development project that is:

      (a) Directly owned and operated by the project sponsor; or

      (b) The subject of a management contract or an operating agreement to which the project sponsor is a party.

      (3)(a) If a development project consists solely of the purchase or acquisition of land, financial assistance may be provided only if the land is:

      (A) Identified in the applicable land use or capital plan as necessary for a potential industrial land development project; or

      (B) Zoned solely for industrial use.

      (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this subsection, financial assistance may not be denied under this subsection solely because the costs of the development project include the costs of acquiring off-site property for purposes that are directly related to the development project, including, but not limited to, wetland mitigation.

      (4) Financial assistance provided to a project sponsor under this section may not be used for:

      (a) The payment of:

      (A) A penalty or fine; or

      (B) Environmental remediation activities conducted at an industrial land site that is listed or proposed to be listed as a national priority pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9605), for which the project sponsor, or any party to the loan agreement entered into pursuant to ORS 285B.021 to which the project sponsor is a party, is liable under 42 U.S.C. 9607;

      (b) Retirement of debt;

      (c) Projects that primarily focus on relocating business or economic activity from one part of the state to another, except in cases where the business or economic activity would otherwise be located outside Oregon; or

      (d) Ongoing operations or maintenance expenses of any person.

      (5) Contractors and subcontractors on development projects funded under ORS 285B.003 to 285B.030 must pay for such projects a rate of wage that meets or exceeds the greater of:

      (a) The prevailing rate of wage for workers in each trade or occupation in each locality as determined by the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries under ORS 279C.815; or

      (b) The prevailing rate of wage as determined by the United States Secretary of Labor under the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141 et seq.).

      (6) The department shall adopt rules to administer and implement the provisions of this section. [2023 c.25 §15]

 

      285B.009 Forgivable loans for planning projects. (1)(a) The Oregon Business Development Department may make a forgivable loan to a project sponsor, for allowable costs related to a planning project, from moneys in the Industrial Lands Loan Fund established under ORS 285B.030, in accordance with this section.

      (b) The department shall determine the amount of a forgivable loan on a case-by-case basis.

      (2) A planning project eligible for a forgivable loan under this section may:

      (a) Be a stand-alone project that is not intended to lead to a development project.

      (b) Be a project that is intended to lead to a development project.

      (c) Include planning or investigation for an environmental action on a brownfield. [2023 c.25 §16]

 

      285B.012 Other forms of financial assistance; rules. The Oregon Business Development Department may directly or indirectly expend or loan moneys in the Industrial Lands Loan Fund established under ORS 285B.030 or extend credit to:

      (1) Provide to project sponsors of an industrial land eligible project any allowable form of financial assistance that the department considers appropriate, including the refinancing of temporary project financing.

      (2) Purchase goods or services related to an eligible project on behalf of the project sponsor.

      (3)(a) Finance guaranty agreements that are issued to guarantee any portion of the obligation of a project sponsor to finance an industrial land development project and that are not sold to the State of Oregon.

      (b) Guaranty agreements under this subsection shall be payable solely from moneys in the fund and shall not constitute a debt or obligation of the State of Oregon.

      (c) The department may, on behalf of the state, establish a special account in the fund and commit to deposit into the special account specified portions of current and future moneys credited to the fund.

      (d) The commitments shall be made by rule of the department and shall constitute covenants of the state for the benefit of the owners of obligations guaranteed by the state pursuant to this section. [2023 c.25 §17]

 

      285B.015 Allowable costs. For purposes of ORS 285B.003 to 285B.030:

      (1) The allowable costs of a development project include:

      (a) Property acquisition and assembly costs associated with creating large development parcels, including any easement or right of way directly related to and necessary for a development project.

      (b) Transportation improvements such as access roads, rail spurs and sidings, marine facility access, airport facilities necessary to provide industrial land access, intersections, turning lanes, signals, sidewalks, curbs, transit stops and storm drains.

      (c) Infrastructure for providing broadband, electric power, natural gas, water and sewer service.

      (d) Natural resource mitigation.

      (e) Land grading activities.

      (f) Environmental remediation and mitigation activities to address brownfield issues, in accordance with state and federally approved remediation plans.

      (g) Interest-carrying costs incurred by a project sponsor for amounts borrowed to develop industrial land and financing costs, including capitalized interest.

      (h) Direct project management costs.

      (i) Costs of consultant services and expenses.

      (j) Construction costs and expenses.

      (k) Costs of acquiring off-site property for purposes directly related to a development project, including, but not limited to, wetland mitigation.

      (L) Other costs that the Oregon Business Development Department determines to be necessary or useful for the project.

      (2) The allowable costs of a planning project include:

      (a) Necessary planning, engineering, legal and other professional services associated with:

      (A) The preparation of applications for local, state and federal permits and related administrative costs.

      (B) Carrying out the project and related administrative costs.

      (b) Other costs that the department determines to be necessary or useful for the project. [2023 c.25 §18]

 

      285B.018 Application process for financial assistance; rules. (1)(a) A project sponsor seeking financial assistance from the Industrial Lands Loan Fund must submit an application in the manner and form required by the Oregon Business Development Department.

      (b) At a minimum, each application must include:

      (A) The name and nature of the project sponsor;

      (B) A description of the nature of the project;

      (C) The provisions of ORS 285B.003 to 285B.030 under which the project is eligible for financial assistance;

      (D) The proposed activities to be funded;

      (E) A description and estimate of the allowable costs to be incurred for the project; and

      (F) All other information and documentation that the department requires.

      (2)(a) The department shall review all timely and complete applications and approve or reject each application in accordance with rules adopted by the department.

      (b) The department shall notify each applicant of its decision. The rejection of an application may not be appealed. [2023 c.25 §19]

 

      285B.021 Agreement for financial assistance. (1) Upon approval of an application submitted under ORS 285B.018, the Oregon Business Development Department, notwithstanding any other provision of law or any restriction on indebtedness contained in a charter, and the project sponsor of the eligible project to which the application relates may enter into an agreement for financial assistance based on the application. The department shall determine the maximum amount of financial assistance based on a reasonable and prudent expectation of the ability of the project sponsor to repay the financial assistance.

      (2) An agreement entered into pursuant to this section must include:

      (a) A provision that the obligation of the state under the agreement is contingent on the availability of moneys in the Industrial Lands Loan Fund for the financial assistance agreed upon.

      (b) A provision that grants the department a lien on, or a security interest in, collateral to secure repayment of a loan made to, or bonds issued by, the project sponsor, in a form and amount determined by the department and specified in the agreement.

      (c) Provisions that the department considers necessary to ensure expenditure of the funds for the purposes set forth in the approved application.

      (d) Any other provision the department considers necessary or appropriate.

      (3) For an eligible project owned by a public entity, a loan agreement entered into pursuant to this section must be authorized by an ordinance, resolution or order adopted by the governing body of the project sponsor.

      (4) In making a determination to enter into a loan agreement with the project sponsor for an industrial land development project, the department shall consider the reasonableness of the project sponsor’s estimated costs to prepare the land for industrial use, including, but not limited to, allowable costs for land preparation.

      (5) Financial assistance approved by the department for an eligible project shall be paid, in accordance with the terms of the agreement entered into pursuant to this section, from the Industrial Lands Loan Fund established under ORS 285B.030.

      (6) In assisting project sponsors with eligible projects, and to meet the goals of ORS 285B.003 to 285B.030, the department and other state agencies shall cooperate to the greatest extent possible with each other and federal agencies. [2023 c.25 §20]

 

      285B.024 Repayment; rules. (1) A project sponsor may repay financial assistance provided for an eligible project under ORS 285B.003 to 285B.030 from any source, including, but not limited to:

      (a) Revenues generated by the eligible project, including special assessment revenues.

      (b) Amounts withheld under ORS 285B.027.

      (c) The general fund of the project sponsor.

      (2) A plan for repayment to the Industrial Lands Loan Fund of financial assistance provided for an industrial land development project:

      (a) Shall provide for repayment by the project sponsor of the financial assistance with interest to begin no later than seven years after the date of project completion or at such other time as the Oregon Business Development Department may provide.

      (b) Shall provide for such evidence of debt assurance of, and security for, repayment by the project sponsor as is considered necessary by the department.

      (c) Shall set forth a schedule of payments and the period of the loan, not to exceed the useful life of the contracted project or 30 years from the date of the project completion, whichever is less, and the manner of determining when loan payments are delinquent.

      (d) May provide for a reasonable extension of the time for making any repayment as set forth under paragraph (c) of this subsection in emergency or hardship circumstances, if approved by the department.

      (e) Shall include repayment of interest that accrues during any period of delay in repayment authorized under paragraph (a) of this subsection. The repayment of accrued interest may be in varying amounts.

      (f) Shall allow for other forms of payment than principal and interest payments on loans, in accordance with rules adopted by the department. [2023 c.25 §21]

 

      285B.027 Breach; default. (1) If a project sponsor fails to comply with ORS 285B.003 to 285B.030 or an agreement entered into under ORS 285B.021, the Oregon Business Development Department may seek appropriate legal remedies to secure any repayment of obligations due from the project sponsor to the Industrial Lands Loan Fund.

      (2)(a) If a project sponsor defaults on payments of obligations to the fund under ORS 285B.003 to 285B.030, the State of Oregon may withhold any amounts otherwise due to the project sponsor to offset against the obligations. The department may waive this right to withhold.

      (b) Moneys withheld under paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be deposited in the fund and shall be used to repay any account in the fund from which moneys were expended to pay obligations upon which the project sponsor defaulted. [2023 c.25 §22]

 

      285B.030 Industrial Lands Loan Fund. (1)(a) The Industrial Lands Loan Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Industrial Lands Loan Fund shall be credited to the fund.

      (b) Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for the purposes set forth in ORS 285B.003 to 285B.030. In addition, the department may finance administrative costs incurred by the department under ORS 285B.003 to 285B.030.

      (c) The department may establish other accounts within the fund for the payment of project costs, reserves, debt service payments, credit enhancement, administrative costs and operation expenses or any other purpose necessary to carry out ORS 285B.003 to 285B.030.

      (2) Moneys in the fund may be invested as provided by ORS 293.701 to 293.857, and the earnings from the investments shall be credited to the account in the fund designated by the department.

      (3) The fund shall consist of moneys credited to the fund, including:

      (a) Moneys appropriated to the fund by the Legislative Assembly;

      (b) Moneys transferred to the fund by the department;

      (c) Earnings on moneys in the fund;

      (d) Repayment of financial assistance, including interest, under ORS 285B.024 and 285B.027;

      (e) Moneys received from the federal, state or local governments; and

      (f) Moneys, or the proceeds of assets, from any other public or private source, including, but not limited to, grants and gifts.

      (4)(a) The department may commit moneys in the fund, or reserve future income of the fund, for expenditure in future years in accordance with this section.

      (b) The department may commit moneys or reserve future income under this subsection only after:

      (A) Allowing for contingencies; and

      (B) Determining that there will be sufficient unobligated net moneys in the fund to make the future payments, consistent with the requirements of this section. [2023 c.25 §23]

 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

 

      285B.050 Definitions for ORS 285B.050 to 285B.098. As used in ORS 285B.050 to 285B.098, unless the context requires otherwise:

      (1) “Applicant” means any county, municipality, person or any combination of counties, municipalities or persons applying for a loan from the Oregon Business Development Fund under ORS 285B.050 to 285B.098.

      (2)(a) “Business development project” means the acquisition, engineering, improvement, rehabilitation, construction, operation or maintenance of any property, real or personal, including working capital expenses, that is used or is suitable for use by an economic enterprise and that will result in, or will aid, promote or facilitate, development of traded sector activities.

      (b) “Business development project” includes, but is not limited to, convention facilities, destination facilities and office buildings, including corporate headquarters, and is a project that:

      (A) Is located in Oregon and in the traded sector or that supports traded sector activities; or

      (B) If engaged in by a nonprofit organization:

      (i) Will not compete with local for-profit businesses; and

      (ii) Need not be in the traded sector nor support traded sector activities.

      (c) “Business development project” does not include shopping centers, food service facilities or activities that are engaged in by retail and service businesses that are not in the traded sector unless otherwise allowed under ORS 285B.059 (5).

      (3) “Collateral” has the meaning given that term in ORS 79.0102 for property subject to a security interest.

      (4) “County” means any county or federally recognized Oregon Indian tribe.

      (5) “Local development group” means any public or private corporation that has as one of its primary purposes, as stated in its articles of incorporation, charter or bylaws, the promotion of economic development in any part of the State of Oregon.

      (6) “Municipality” means any city, municipal corporation or quasi-municipal corporation.

      (7) “Person” means any individual, association of individuals, joint venture, partnership, limited liability company or corporation.

      (8) “Traded sector” has the meaning given that term in ORS 285B.280.

      (9) “Traded sector activities” means activities that produce goods or services for the traded sector. [Formerly 285.403; 2001 c.445 §171; 2003 c.167 §1; 2007 c.804 §40; 2009 c.830 §49; 2011 c.558 §1; 2017 c.37 §1]

 

      285B.053 Borrowing money from Oregon Business Development Fund; application; report. (1) Any county, municipality, person or any combination of counties, municipalities and persons may file with the Oregon Business Development Department an application to borrow money from the Oregon Business Development Fund for a business development project as provided in ORS 285B.050 to 285B.098. The application shall be filed in such a manner and contain or be accompanied by such information as the department may prescribe.

      (2) Any applicant receiving a loan from the fund shall report to the department the estimated number of jobs affected by the business development project financed under ORS 285B.050 to 285B.098. [Formerly 285.405; 2007 c.804 §41; 2009 c.830 §50]

 

      285B.056 Fees; rules. The Oregon Business Development Department shall charge fees and establish rules to underwrite loans from the Oregon Business Development Fund. [Formerly 285.410; 2007 c.804 §42; 2009 c.830 §51]

 

      285B.059 Conditions for commission approval of project; limits; exceptions. (1) The Oregon Business Development Commission may approve a business development project proposed in an application filed under ORS 285B.050 to 285B.098 if, after investigation, the commission finds that:

      (a) The proposed business development project is feasible and a reasonable risk from practical and economic standpoints, and that the loan has reasonable prospect of repayment.

      (b) The applicant can provide good and sufficient collateral for the loan.

      (c) Moneys in the Oregon Business Development Fund are or will be available for the proposed business development project.

      (d) There is a need for the proposed business development project.

      (e) The applicant has not received or entered into a contract or contracts exceeding $2 million with the commission, under authority of ORS 285B.050 to 285B.098, for the previous 365 days.

      (2)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, the total amount of moneys loaned from the fund for a business development project may not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the project.

      (b) The total amount of moneys loaned from the fund for a business development project may exceed 50 percent of the cost of the project if two or more lenders have denied requests from the applicant to commit to participate in the financing of the project and the applicant has no other available financing.

      (3)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, moneys may not be loaned from the fund for a business development project unless there exists a commitment from a commercial or private lender, or a local development group, to participate in the financing of the project.

      (b) Moneys may be loaned from the fund for a business development project without a commitment from a commercial or private lender, or a local development group, to participate in the financing of the project if:

      (A) The applicant is a county or municipality;

      (B) There are payments other than the scheduled principal and interest payments; or

      (C) Two or more lenders have denied requests from the applicant to commit to participate in the financing of the project and the applicant has no other available financing.

      (4) To encourage private sector and local development group participation in the financing of business development projects, the commission may subordinate the security position of the fund to that of other lenders.

      (5) In each fiscal year of a biennium, 15 percent of all moneys available for lending from the fund is reserved for loans to emerging small business enterprises as defined by the Oregon Business Development Department by rule, which are located in or draw their workforces from within rural or distressed areas as determined by the Oregon Business Development Department in cooperation with the Employment Department of this state. If the Oregon Business Development Department was unable to obtain a sufficient number of approvable applications to meet the requirements of this subsection in the previous fiscal year, it may, in the current fiscal year and notwithstanding the limitations imposed by ORS 285B.050 (2), make loans, in an amount that does not exceed the 15 percent reserved for the prior fiscal year less the amount of loans made to emerging small business enterprises located in rural or distressed areas during the previous fiscal year, to service and retail businesses operated by small business enterprises that are located in or draw their workforces from within rural or distressed areas as determined by the Oregon Business Development Department in cooperation with the Employment Department of this state. Service and retail businesses operated by small business enterprises under this section need not be engaged in traded sector activities. As used in this subsection, “rural area” and “distressed area” have the meanings given those terms in ORS 285A.010. [Formerly 285.413; 1999 c.509 §27; 2003 c.167 §2; 2007 c.804 §43; 2009 c.830 §52; 2010 c.106 §§1,5; 2011 c.558 §2; 2017 c.37 §2; 2021 c.19 §1]

 

      285B.062 Loan contract; required provisions; repayment plan; state liability. If the Oregon Business Development Commission approves a business development project, the commission, on behalf of the state, and the applicant may enter into a loan contract of not more than $2 million, secured by good and sufficient collateral, which shall set forth, among other matters:

      (1) A plan for repayment by the applicant to the Oregon Business Development Fund of moneys borrowed from the fund used for the business development project, with interest charged on those moneys at the rate of not less than one percentage point more than the prevailing interest rate on United States Treasury bills, notes or bonds of a comparable term, as determined by the commission. The repayment plan, among other matters:

      (a) Shall provide for commencement of repayment by the applicant of the moneys and interest no later than one year after the date of the loan contract or at such other time as the commission may provide.

      (b) May provide for reasonable extension of the time for making any repayment in emergency or hardship circumstances if approved by the commission.

      (c) Shall provide for such evidence of debt assurance of, and security for, repayment by the applicant as is considered necessary by the commission.

      (d) Shall set forth a schedule of payments and the period of the loan, not to exceed the useful life of the contracted project or 25 years from the date of the contract, whichever is less, and the manner of determining when loan payments are delinquent. The payment schedule shall include repayment of interest that accrues during any period of delay in repayment authorized by paragraph (a) of this subsection, and the payment schedule may require payments of varying amounts for collection of accrued interest.

      (e) Shall set forth a procedure for formal declaration of default of payment by the commission, including formal notification of all relevant federal, state and local agencies and a procedure for notification of all relevant federal, state and local agencies that declaration of default has been rescinded when appropriate.

      (f) Shall allow for other forms of payment than principal and interest payments on loans, to be outlined in administrative rules.

      (2) Provisions satisfactory to the commission for field engineering and inspection, the commission to be the final judge of completion of the contract.

      (3) That the liability of the state under the contract is contingent upon the availability of moneys in the fund for use in the business development project.

      (4) Such further provisions as the commission considers necessary to ensure expenditure of the funds for the purposes set forth in the approved application. [Formerly 285.415; 2003 c.167 §3; 2007 c.804 §44; 2009 c.830 §53; 2021 c.19 §2]

 

      285B.063 Annual adjustment of maximum contract amounts. (1) Beginning with the 2023 calendar year, the Oregon Business Development Department shall annually adjust the maximum contract amounts specified in ORS 285B.059 (1)(e) and 285B.062 by multiplying each amount by the percentage change in the monthly averaged Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, West Region (All Items), as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor, for the 12 consecutive months ending on the immediately preceding December 31 compared to the monthly averaged Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, West Region (All Items), for the 12 consecutive months ending on December 31, 2021.

      (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, the adjusted maximum contract amounts specified in ORS 285B.059 (1)(e) and 285B.062 may not be less than $2 million. [2021 c.19 §5]

 

      285B.065 Loans in distressed areas exempt from security and collateral requirements. The Oregon Business Development Department may make loans in distressed areas, as defined by the department, without regard to the requirements for security and collateral under ORS 285B.059 and 285B.062 that are otherwise applicable. [Formerly 285.416; 2009 c.830 §54]

 

      285B.068 Payment of moneys for project; applicant to pay percentage of loan principal to Oregon Business Development Fund. (1) If the Oregon Business Development Commission approves a loan for a business development project and the applicant has received all necessary permits required by federal, state and local agencies, the commission shall pay moneys for the project from the Oregon Business Development Fund, in accordance with the terms of the loan contract as prescribed by the commission.

      (2) Immediately upon receiving the loan proceeds, the applicant shall pay to the commission one and one-half percent of the principal amount of the loan, to be paid back to the Oregon Business Development Fund. A maximum of three percent of the principal amount of the loan may be paid from the fund to local development groups for the purposes set forth in ORS 285B.092 (1)(a). [Formerly 285.417; 2009 c.830 §55]

 

      285B.071 [Formerly 285.420; repealed by 2007 c.804 §86]

 

      285B.074 [Formerly 285.425; repealed by 2007 c.804 §86]

 

      285B.077 [Formerly 285.430; repealed by 2007 c.804 §86]

 

      285B.080 Director as agent; duties; authority to approve loans. (1) The Oregon Business Development Commission may appoint the Director of the Oregon Business Development Department as the commission’s representative and agent in all matters pertaining to ORS 285B.050 to 285B.098.

      (2) The director shall ensure that all provisions of ORS 285B.050 to 285B.098 are complied with and that appropriately trained personnel are employed to properly administer the fiscal and other portions of ORS 285B.050 to 285B.098.

      (3) The director shall have the authority in the director’s sole discretion to approve loans for business development projects in the amount of $250,000 or less and to disburse funds for such projects. [Formerly 285.433; 2009 c.830 §56; 2010 c.106 §§2,6; 2011 c.558 §3]

 

      285B.081 Repayment and collection; rules. The Oregon Business Development Department shall develop rules governing repayment of loans to the Oregon Business Development Fund and collection of moneys owed the fund. The department may take any action permitted by statute or rule that the department deems necessary for repayment of the loan. [2007 c.804 §49; 2009 c.830 §57]

 

      Note: 285B.081 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 285B or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      285B.083 Use of refinancing and other financial assistance for repayment. Except as provided in ORS 285B.086, if any business development project is refinanced or financial assistance is obtained from other sources after the execution of the loan from the state, those may first be used to repay the state, unless provided otherwise by the committee, if the refinancing or financial assistance applies only to the business development project authorized and does not include any subsequent addition, expansion, improvement or further development. [Formerly 285.435; 2007 c.804 §45]

 

      285B.086 Authorization to lend funds for joint governmental projects or match money; form of loan application; loan limit. (1) The Oregon Business Development Commission may authorize funds from the Oregon Business Development Fund to be used in appropriate joint governmental participation projects or as match money with any municipally, county, state or federally funded business development project authorized within a county or city, subject to the stipulations of ORS 285B.050 to 285B.098.

      (2) Any application for a loan under this section shall be in such form as the commission prescribes and shall furnish such proof of federal, state or local approval as appropriate for funding of the business development project.

      (3) The total amount of moneys loaned from the fund for federal, state or local joint business development project purposes shall not exceed $1 million per project. [Formerly 285.437; 2003 c.167 §4; 2009 c.830 §58]

 

      285B.089 Loan contract; required provisions; repayment schedule. If the Oregon Business Development Commission approves an application for the loan of moneys authorized by ORS 285B.086, the commission shall enter into a loan contract, secured by good and sufficient collateral as determined by the commission, with the applicant that provides, among other matters:

      (1) That the loan bear interest at the same rate of interest as provided in ORS 285B.062 (1).

      (2) That the contract shall set forth a schedule of payments including interest and principal for the period of the loan, which shall not exceed the usable life of the contracted project or 25 years from the date of the contract, whichever is less, and shall set forth the manner of determining when loan payments are delinquent. The same schedule shall include repayment of interest which accrues during any period of delay in repayment authorized by ORS 285B.050 to 285B.098, and the repayment schedule may require payments of varying amounts for collection of that accrued interest. However, the commission may make provisions for extensions of time in making repayment if the delinquencies are caused by acts of God or other conditions beyond the control of the applicant and the security will not be impaired thereby.

      (3) Such provisions as the commission considers necessary to insure expenditure of the moneys loaned for the purposes provided in ORS 285B.086, including all provisions of ORS 285B.059. [Formerly 285.440; 2007 c.804 §46; 2009 c.830 §59]

 

      285B.092 Oregon Business Development Fund; uses; transfer of unobligated funds. (1) There is created within the State Treasury a revolving fund known as the Oregon Business Development Fund, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Oregon Business Development Fund shall be credited to the fund. Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Commission for the following purposes:

      (a) Administrative expenses of the commission in marketing public business finance, processing applications, investigating proposed business development projects and servicing outstanding loans. In any one year, administrative expenses charged under this paragraph may not be greater than the total revenues received in that year from fees provided for in subsection (2)(a) of this section, plus four percent of the total asset value of the fund.

      (b) Payment of loans to applicants under ORS 285B.050 to 285B.098.

      (c) Transfer of moneys to the Small Business Expansion Loan Fund established under ORS 285B.133 in accordance with ORS 285B.133 (3).

      (d) Actions the commission deems necessary to obtain repayment of outstanding loans.

      (e) Purchase or buyout of superior or prior liens or mortgages on or a security interest in any business development project financed in part by a loan from the Oregon Business Development Fund, when the commission determines:

      (A) A loan from the fund is in default and is in liquidation or at risk of being forced into liquidation by another creditor to the project; and

      (B) The action is necessary to maintain or enhance the value of the commission’s collateral in the project.

      (2) The fund created by subsection (1) of this section shall consist of:

      (a) Fees as determined by the commission.

      (b) Repayment of moneys loaned to counties, municipalities or persons from the fund, including interest on those moneys or including other receipts.

      (c) Payment of such moneys as may be appropriated to the fund by the Legislative Assembly.

      (d) Moneys obtained from any interest accrued from funds.

      (e) Moneys from any grant made to the fund by any federal agency.

      (3) All repayments, interest and other receipts from outstanding indebtedness or any other source shall be retained and accumulated in the fund and shall be used for the purposes of the fund.

      (4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if at any time there are insufficient funds in established business finance programs, the commission may direct the transfer of unobligated funds from the Oregon Business Development Fund. [Formerly 285.443; 1999 c.247 §3; 1999 c.509 §28; 2003 c.167 §5; 2007 c.804 §47; 2009 c.830 §60; 2018 c.71 §4]

 

      285B.093 Oregon Targeted Development Account; purpose; exemption from minimum interest rate. (1) The Oregon Business Development Commission may establish the Oregon Targeted Development Account as an account within the Oregon Business Development Fund.

      (2) The purpose of the Oregon Targeted Development Account is to promote cooperation and foster partnership among the commission, the Oregon Business Development Department and financial institutions in Oregon to encourage investment in distressed areas, as defined by the department.

      (3) The department may make loans from the Oregon Targeted Development Account in distressed areas without regard to the minimum rate of interest that is otherwise applicable under ORS 285B.062. The department may make loans in distressed areas at an interest rate that is determined by the commission. [1999 c.247 §1; 2003 c.167 §6; 2007 c.804 §48; 2009 c.830 §61]

 

      285B.095 [Formerly 285.445; repealed by 2007 c.804 §86]

 

      285B.098 Status of loan to county or municipality; project as security; repayment. A loan made to a county or municipality under ORS 285B.050 to 285B.098 shall not be a general obligation of that county or municipality, nor a charge upon the tax revenues of that county or municipality, nor a charge upon any other revenues or property of that county or municipality not specifically pledged thereto. A loan made to a county or municipality under ORS 285B.050 to 285B.098 may be secured by the business development project for which the loan is made, as well as by any revenues derived from that project, and any nontax-derived revenues or property of the county or municipality not otherwise pledged or committed for other purposes. A county or municipality may repay any portion of a loan incurred under ORS 285B.050 to 285B.098 from any funds available to it. [Formerly 285.447]

 

(Temporary provisions relating to Oregon CHIPS Fund grant and loan program)

 

      Note: Sections 1 to 7, chapter 25, Oregon Laws 2023, provide:

      Sec. 1. (1) As used in sections 1 to 6 of this 2023 Act:

      (a) “Covered entity” has the meaning given that term by 15 U.S.C. 4651(2).

      (b) “Covered incentive” has the meaning given that term by 15 U.S.C. 4651(3).

      (c) “Federal semiconductor financial assistance” means assistance available under the program established pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 4652(a)(1) for financial assistance to the semiconductor industry.

      (d) “Program grants and loans” means grants awarded and loans made under the program developed by the Oregon Business Development Department pursuant to this section.

      (2)(a) The Oregon Business Development Department shall develop a program to award grants and make loans from moneys in the Oregon CHIPS Fund established under section 6 of this 2023 Act to businesses applying for federal semiconductor financial assistance.

      (b)(A) The program shall be administered by the department and the Governor as set forth in this section.

      (B) Notwithstanding the duties and powers conferred respectively on the department and the Governor under sections 1 to 6 of this 2023 Act, the department and the Governor may consult each other with respect to any duty or power so conferred.

      (c) It is the intent of the Legislative Assembly that program grants and loans be treated by the United States Secretary of Commerce as covered incentives for purposes of the federal semiconductor financial assistance program.

      (3)(a) Program grant and loan proceeds may be used solely for:

      (A) If a business’s application for federal semiconductor financial assistance is approved, activities undertaken in connection with the federal semiconductor financial assistance program; and

      (B) Regardless of whether a business’s application for federal semiconductor financial assistance is approved:

      (i) The development of a site for a semiconductor or other advanced manufacturing facility, including, but not limited to, the acquisition and aggregation of land;

      (ii) Research and development with respect to semiconductors or advanced manufacturing; or

      (iii) Partnering with institutions of higher education, including, but not limited to, historically Black colleges and universities, career technical training institutions, regional collaborative groups, local workforce development boards as defined in ORS 660.300, programs funded through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (P.L. 113-128) and apprenticeship programs registered with the State Apprenticeship and Training Council for the purpose of workforce development and the creation of training, registered apprenticeship and internship opportunities, with respect to semiconductors or advanced manufacturing.

      (b) Contractors and subcontractors on construction projects funded by program grant or loan proceeds must pay for such projects a rate of wage that meets or exceeds the greater of:

      (A) The prevailing rate of wage for workers in each trade or occupation in each locality as determined by the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries under ORS 279C.815; or

      (B) The prevailing rate of wage as determined by the United States Secretary of Labor under the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141 et seq.).

      (4)(a) A business that is a covered entity may apply to the department under section 2 of this 2023 Act for a program grant or loan.

      (b)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, program grants and loans may not be awarded or made to any applicant in an amount greater than $50 million.

      (B) The Governor may approve a program grant or loan under section 3 of this 2023 Act in an amount greater than $50 million only after having given the Legislative Assembly at least 30 calendar days’ notice of the amount of the program grant or loan the Governor intends to approve.

      (c)(A) Program loans:

      (i) May be made for a term not to exceed 10 years, as negotiated by the business and, in consultation with the Governor, the department; and

      (ii) Except as provided in section 5 (3) of this 2023 Act, shall be made at a zero rate of interest.

      (B) All amounts received by the department in repayment of a program loan shall be transferred to the Oregon CHIPS Fund established under section 6 of this 2023 Act.

      (d) Proceeds from a program grant or loan may be distributed in a single payment or in multiple, conditional payments, as specified in the program grant or loan agreement.

      (e)(A) Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this subsection, for every $1 million in program grant or loan proceeds received, the recipient business must, over the period of the grant or loan agreement, generate at least:

      (i) If the term of the agreement is not more than five years, $1.25 million in state and local revenue; or

      (ii) If the term of the agreement is more than five years, $1.5 million in state and local revenue.

      (B) The department and the recipient business may specify in the program grant or loan agreement what the term “revenue” includes.

      (f) In lieu of the requirement under paragraph (e) of this subsection, a recipient business may instead commit to the creation of new jobs in Oregon:

      (A) At least 65 percent of which are permanent, full-time positions; and

      (B) That pay on average at least the average median income for the region of this state in which the services will be performed.

      (g)(A) In addition to program grants and loans, an application assistance grant, in an amount not to exceed $50,000, may be awarded to a business whose application is approved under section 3 of this 2023 Act, for the costs of preparing and submitting the business’s application for federal semiconductor financial assistance.

      (B) Application assistance grants may be made from moneys in the fund or from any other source of funding available for such purpose to the department or the Governor. [2023 c.25 §1]

      Sec. 1a. (1) The Governor shall convene an advisory panel with the following membership:

      (a) The Governor or the Governor’s designees;

      (b) One or more representatives of the Oregon Business Development Department, appointed by the Governor; and

      (c) No fewer than five individuals with expertise or experience in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industry, appointed by the Governor.

      (2) The advisory panel shall assist the Governor and the department in:

      (a) Establishing a statewide strategy to promote and expand Oregon’s semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industry and the supply chains associated with the industry;

      (b) Establishing application requirements for the grant and loan program developed by the department under section 1 of this 2023 Act so that program grants and loans will advance the statewide strategy established under paragraph (a) of this subsection; and

      (c) Determining the criteria for reviewing and scoring applications and weighting the preferences for approving applications and setting program grant and loan amounts under section 3 (2) of this 2023 Act.

      (3) The advisory panel shall meet at least once before the department begins to develop the grant and loan program under section 1 (2) of this 2023 Act and once before the department begins to prescribe the application process for the grant and loan program under section 2 (1) of this 2023 Act. [2023 c.25 §1a]

      Sec. 2. (1)(a) The Oregon Business Development Department shall prescribe an application process, including forms and deadlines, by which businesses may apply under this section for program grants and loans.

      (b) At a minimum, the application form must require the applicant business to:

      (A) Establish its eligibility to be treated by the United States Secretary of Commerce as a covered entity;

      (B) Include its statement of interest or draft application for federal semiconductor financial assistance;

      (C) Explain how the applicant business plans to comply with all applicable federal employment, labor and environmental standards;

      (D) Explain how the proposed activities of the applicant business will promote the expansion and long-term economic viability of the semiconductor industry in Oregon, including research and development, manufacturing and other critical links in the semiconductor supply chain;

      (E) State the amount of program grant or loan proceeds sought under this section along with a detailed description of the proposed expenditure of the proceeds;

      (F) If the application includes a request for an application assistance grant, state the amount of the application assistance grant sought and demonstrate the applicant business’s need for the application assistance grant;

      (G) Explain how the applicant business will meet the requirements under section 1 (4)(e) or (f) of this 2023 Act, setting forth at a minimum such information as:

      (i) For state and local revenue, the kinds, amounts and timing of the revenue to be generated; or

      (ii) For job creation, such information as the number, job descriptions, weekly hours, pay scale and locations of the proposed jobs;

      (H) Include any other information that the department or the Governor considers necessary or important for review of the application; and

      (I) Sign the application through an authorized director, officer, employee or agent under penalties for false swearing.

      (2)(a) Upon request, the department may consult with an applicant business about the business’s application, before or after submission.

      (b) An applicant business may amend and resubmit its application at any time within the application period.

      (3) Trade secrets, as defined in ORS 646.461, that are submitted to the department as part of an application under this section shall be exempt from disclosure under ORS 192.311 to 192.478 until January 1, 2027. [2023 c.25 §2]

      Sec. 3. (1)(a) The Oregon Business Development Department and the Governor shall review all timely and complete applications for program grants and loans, with such distribution of duties and powers as the department and the Governor may arrange.

      (b) Within 90 days following receipt of an application, the department and the Governor shall:

      (A) Approve the application;

      (B) Approve the application for a program grant or loan, or application assistance grant, in an amount other than the amount requested; or

      (C) Reject the entire application or only the request for an application assistance grant.

      (c) For a program grant or loan in an amount greater than $50 million, the Governor shall provide notice to the Legislative Assembly in accordance with section 1 (4)(b)(B) of this 2023 Act.

      (d) The decisions made with respect to an application are not subject to appeal.

      (2) In approving applications and setting program grant and loan amounts, the department and the Governor shall give preference to:

      (a) Projects that will promote the expansion and long-term economic viability of the semiconductor industry in Oregon, including research and development, manufacturing and other critical links in the semiconductor supply chain;

      (b) Projects that will promote and extend Oregon’s leadership in the field of technology;

      (c) Projects that will attract manufacturing jobs to Oregon;

      (d) Projects that will secure supply in Oregon for critical sectors of the state economy;

      (e) Projects that reflect an applicant business’s established relationship, or commitment to build a relationship, with organizations focused on developing a diverse workforce pipeline;

      (f) Applicant businesses that have at least 10 full-time employees in Oregon;

      (g) Applicant businesses that have formed partnerships for the purpose of workforce development or the creation of training, registered apprenticeship or internship opportunities;

      (h)(A) Applicant businesses that commit to generating a greater amount of state and local revenue in accordance with section 1 (4)(e) of this 2023 Act; or

      (B) Applicant businesses that commit to creating a higher percentage of new permanent full-time jobs in accordance with section 1 (4)(f) of this 2023 Act;

      (i) Applications that propose projects described in 15 U.S.C. 4652(a)(2)(B)(i) that will incorporate significant participation by businesses owned by members of underrepresented communities and economically disadvantaged individuals; and

      (j) Applications that, taken together, represent regional diversity in Oregon.

      (3)(a) As soon as practicable after making decisions under subsection (1) of this section, the department shall:

      (A) Notify the applicant business of the decision and the reasons for the decision; and

      (B) For an approved application, offer to the applicant business a program grant or loan agreement and, if applicable, an application assistance grant.

      (b) Upon entering into a program grant or loan agreement with the applicant business, the department shall distribute to the business from the Oregon CHIPS Fund established under section 6 of this 2023 Act the amount set forth in the agreement.

      (4)(a) If a business that has entered into an agreement pursuant to this section changes ownership during the term of the agreement, the department and the Governor may allow the continued use of the program grant or loan proceeds provided the business enters into a new agreement with the department that commits the business to continuing the project as proposed in the application approved under this section.

      (b) In the new agreement, the department may agree to minor changes in the terms of the original agreement that the department and the Governor considers reasonable in the circumstances and faithful to the purpose for which the business’s application was approved. [2023 c.25 §3]

      Sec. 4. (1) At least once every six months following the date on which a business enters into a program grant or loan agreement with the Oregon Business Development Department under section 3 of this 2023 Act, for as long as the agreement is in effect, the business shall report to the department the following:

      (a) The status of the business’s application for federal semiconductor financial assistance;

      (b) Progress on the project to construct, expand or modernize the facility for which the grant was awarded or the loan made, including, but not limited to, the acquisition or aggregation of land and the status of the permits required for the project;

      (c)(A) State and local revenue generated in accordance with section 1 (4)(e) of this 2023 Act, setting forth at a minimum the kinds, amounts and timing of the revenue generated, as well as of any proposed revenue yet to be generated; or

      (B) The number of jobs created in accordance with section 1 (4)(f) of this 2023 Act and the job descriptions, weekly hours, pay scale and locations of the jobs, as well as of jobs yet to be created;

      (d) Any research and development work conducted with respect to semiconductors or advanced manufacturing;

      (e) Any partnerships the business has engaged in with institutions of higher education or regional workforce programs for the purpose of workforce development and the creation of training, registered apprenticeship and internship opportunities;

      (f) The status of any other consideration for which the business’s application was given preference under section 3 (2) of this 2023 Act;

      (g) The economic impact of the project on businesses in this state, including, but not limited to, the impact on supply chains;

      (h) The economic and environmental impact of the project on communities in this state; and

      (i) Any other information required by the department or the Governor.

      (2) Not later than March 15 and September 15 of each year in which any program grant or loan agreement remains in effect, the department shall submit to the Oregon Business Development Commission established under ORS 285A.040 a report summarizing the semiannual information received from businesses pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.

      (3) Not later than September 15 of each year in which any program grant or loan agreement remains in effect, the department shall submit, in the manner required under ORS 192.245, a report summarizing the information received from businesses pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to economic development. [2023 c.25 §4]

      Sec. 5. (1)(a) A business that received a program grant or loan, including an application assistance grant, shall become liable for immediate repayment of the full amount of the grant or the outstanding principal amount of the loan, if:

      (A) The business has not begun, on or before January 1, 2027, the process of applying for permits required for the project for which the grant was awarded or the loan made;

      (B) The project changes substantially from the project for which the business’s application was approved such that the project would not have been eligible for the program grant or loan;

      (C) On or before the earlier of a date, if any, specified in the program grant or loan agreement or January 1, 2033:

      (i) The business has not generated state and local revenue in accordance with section 1 (4)(e) of this 2023 Act; or

      (ii) The business has not created new permanent full-time jobs in accordance with section 1 (4)(f) of this 2023 Act;

      (D) The business has not complied with all environmental standards applicable to the project under law or has not cured its noncompliance within a reasonable time, as determined by the Oregon Business Development Department or the Governor; or

      (E) The business has not complied with all labor standards applicable to the project under law or the program grant or loan agreement or has not cured its noncompliance within a reasonable time, as determined by the department or the Governor.

      (b) If a project is suspended for a reason beyond the control of the business, as determined by the department or the Governor, the amount to be repaid shall be in proportion to the percentage of the project that has not been completed at the time of suspension.

      (2) Any and all amounts required to be repaid under this section shall be considered to be liquidated and delinquent, and the Oregon Business Development Department shall assign such amounts to the Department of Revenue for collection as provided in ORS 293.250.

      (3) If the Oregon Business Development Department or the Governor discovers that a business willfully made a false statement or misrepresentation, or willfully failed to report a material fact, to obtain a program grant or loan, or an application assistance grant, under sections 1 to 6 of this 2023 Act, the Oregon Business Development Department may add to the amount the business is obligated to repay a penalty not to exceed 20 percent of the principal amount of the program grant or loan so obtained, plus any applicable interest and fees associated with the Department of Revenue’s costs of collection.

      (4) Subject to ORS 293.250, all amounts repaid to the Oregon Business Development Department or the Department of Revenue under this section, including award amounts, penalties, interest, fees and any other charges, shall be transferred to the Oregon CHIPS Fund established under section 6 of this 2023 Act. [2023 c.25 §5]

      Sec. 6. (1) The Oregon CHIPS Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Oregon CHIPS Fund shall be credited to the fund.

      (2) Moneys in the fund shall consist of:

      (a) Amounts appropriated or otherwise transferred or credited to the fund by the Legislative Assembly;

      (b) Earnings received on moneys in the fund; and

      (c) Other moneys, or proceeds of property, from any public or private source that are transferred, donated or otherwise credited to the fund.

      (3) Moneys in the Oregon CHIPS Fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for the following purposes:

      (a) Paying the actual costs incurred by the department in developing and administering sections 1 to 6 of this 2023 Act; and

      (b) Carrying out the provisions of sections 1 to 6 of this 2023 Act.

      (4) Moneys in the Oregon CHIPS Fund on June 30, 2023, shall be retained in the fund, and used for the purposes set forth in subsection (3) of this section, until June 30, 2025.

      (5) Any moneys remaining in the Oregon CHIPS Fund on June 30, 2025, shall be transferred to the General Fund. [2023 c.25 §6]

      Sec. 7. Sections 1 to 6 of this 2023 Act are repealed on January 2, 2033. [2023 c.25 §7]

 

      285B.103 [2001 c.944 §2; 2003 c.374 §1; renumbered 285C.500 in 2003]

 

      285B.105 [2001 c.944 §3; 2003 c.374 §2; renumbered 285C.503 in 2003]

 

      285B.108 [2001 c.944 §4; 2003 c.374 §3; renumbered 285C.506 in 2003]

 

CAPITAL ACCESS PROGRAM

 

      285B.109 Definitions for ORS 285B.109 to 285B.119. As used in ORS 285B.109 to 285B.119, unless the context requires otherwise:

      (1) “Brownfield” or “brownfields” has the meaning given that term in ORS 285A.185.

      (2) “Capital access program” means the program established by ORS 285B.109 to 285B.119.

      (3) “Environmental action” has the meaning given that term in ORS 285A.188.

      (4) “Financial institution” means a financial institution, as defined in ORS 706.008.

      (5) “Loss reserve account” means an account in the State Treasury or any financial institution that is established and maintained by the Oregon Business Development Department for the benefit of a financial institution participating in the capital access program.

      (6) “Qualified business” means any person, conducting business for profit or not for profit, that is authorized to conduct business in the State of Oregon.

      (7) “Qualified loan” means a loan or portion of a loan made by a financial institution to a qualified business for any business activity that has its primary economic effect in Oregon. The term does not include:

      (a) A loan for the purchase of owner-occupied residential housing or for the construction, improvement or purchase of residential housing owned or to be owned by the borrower.

      (b) A loan for purchase of real property that is not used for the business operations of the borrower.

      (c) A loan for the refinancing of an existing loan when and to the extent that the outstanding balance is not increased. [Formerly 285B.126]

 

      285B.111 Purpose of ORS 285B.109 to 285B.119. It is the purpose of ORS 285B.109 to 285B.119 to establish a capital access program under which the State of Oregon will provide public fiscal resources to assist Oregon financial institutions to overcome obstacles and constraints in meeting the full range of economically sound financing needs of Oregon businesses. [Formerly 285B.129]

 

      285B.113 Contracts with financial institutions to participate in program; required contents; disclosure of information. (1) The Oregon Business Development Department may contract with any financial institution for the purpose of allowing the financial institution to participate in the capital access program established by ORS 285B.109 to 285B.119.

      (2) A contract between the department and a financial institution under this section shall provide:

      (a) For the creation of a loss reserve account by the department for the benefit of the financial institution.

      (b) That the financial institution, qualified business and the department will deposit moneys to the credit of the institution’s loss reserve account when the financial institution makes a qualified loan to a qualified business.

      (c) That the department will pay moneys in the loss reserve account, not exceeding an amount equal to the total amount credited to the loss reserve account, to the financial institution to reimburse the institution for any financial loss incurred as a result of any qualified loan made under the capital access program established by ORS 285B.109 to 285B.119.

      (d) That the liability of the State of Oregon and the department to the financial institution under the contract is limited to the amount of money credited to the loss reserve account of the institution.

      (e) That the financial institution shall provide such information as the department may require, including financial information that is identifiable with, or identifiable from, the financial records of a particular customer who is the recipient of a qualified loan.

      (f) For such other terms as the department may require.

      (3) A financial institution is not subject to ORS 192.586 (1) when the financial institution provides information to the department as required by subsection (2)(e) of this section. [Formerly 285B.132]

 

      285B.115 Loss reserve accounts; policies; rules; moneys as property of state. (1) The Oregon Business Development Department shall establish a loss reserve account for each financial institution with which the department makes a contract under ORS 285B.113.

      (2) The loss reserve account for a financial institution shall consist of moneys paid as fees by borrowers and the financial institution under ORS 285B.117 and moneys transferred to the account from the Capital Access Fund under ORS 285B.117.

      (3) Notwithstanding ORS chapter 293 or 295, the department may establish and maintain loss reserve accounts with any financial institution under such policies as the department may adopt. The department may establish rules to encourage financial institutions to participate in the capital access program.

      (4) All moneys in a loss reserve account established under ORS 285B.109 to 285B.119 are the property of the State of Oregon. [Formerly 285B.135]

 

      285B.117 Enrollment of qualified loan in program; notice to department; fees; transfers to loss reserve accounts; rules and limits for loans. (1) When a financial institution participates in the capital access program, if the financial institution decides to enroll a qualified loan under the capital access program in order to obtain the protection against loss provided by its loss reserve account, the financial institution shall notify the Oregon Business Development Department of the loan within 30 days after the loan is made. The notification shall be in writing on a form prescribed by the department.

      (2) When making a qualified loan that will be enrolled under the capital access program, the financial institution shall require the qualified business to which the loan is made to pay a fee of not less than one and one-half percent of the principal amount of the loan but not more than three and one-half percent of such principal amount. The financial institution shall also pay a fee in an amount equal to the fee paid by the borrower. The financial institution shall deliver the fees collected under this subsection to the department for deposit in the loss reserve account for the institution.

      (3) When depositing fees collected under subsection (2) of this section to the credit of the loss reserve account for a financial institution, the department shall transfer an amount that is not less than the total amount of the fees paid by the borrower and the financial institution from the Capital Access Fund to the loss reserve account for the institution.

      (4) Notwithstanding subsections (1) to (3) of this section, the department may adopt rules providing that, for qualified loans to businesses in distressed areas or for use in an environmental action on brownfields, the department may transfer an amount that is not less than 150 percent of the total amount of the fees paid by the borrower and the financial institution from the Capital Access Fund to the loss reserve account of the institution. The total amount transferred under this section may not exceed 40 percent of the moneys appropriated to the fund. For purposes of this subsection, “distressed areas” shall have the meaning given that term by the department by rule. [Formerly 285B.138]

 

      285B.118 Claims for reimbursement of losses; reimbursable costs; repayment to loss reserve account. (1) The Oregon Business Development Department shall establish procedures under which financial institutions participating in the capital access program established by ORS 285B.109 to 285B.119 may submit claims for reimbursement for losses incurred as a result of qualified loan defaults.

      (2) Costs for which a financial institution may be reimbursed from its loss reserve account include loan principal, accrued interest on the principal, actual and necessary costs of seeking recovery of the principal amount and interest thereon and any other related costs.

      (3) A financial institution may seek reimbursement of loan losses prior to the liquidation of collateral from defaulted loans. The financial institution shall repay its loss reserve account for any moneys received as reimbursement under this section if the financial institution recovers moneys from the borrower or from the liquidation of collateral for the defaulted loan. [Formerly 285B.141]

 

      285B.119 Capital Access Fund; investment; retrieval of interest; administrative expenses. (1) There is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund, the Capital Access Fund. All moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for the purpose of making payments to loss reserve accounts established under ORS 285B.109 to 285B.119.

      (2) Moneys in the Capital Access Fund, with the approval of the State Treasurer, may be invested as provided by ORS 293.701 to 293.857, and the earnings from such investment shall be credited to the Capital Access Fund.

      (3) The Capital Access Fund shall consist of:

      (a) Moneys appropriated to the fund by the Legislative Assembly.

      (b) Interest earned on moneys in the fund.

      (c) Moneys returned to the fund from loss reserve accounts or other sources.

      (4) If the department deems retrieval of interest earned on loss reserve accounts appropriate, the department may transfer into the fund up to 50 percent of the interest earned on moneys in loss reserve accounts.

      (5) The department may charge administrative costs to the fund to pay for actual and necessary administrative expenses incurred by the department in administering the fund and establishing and maintaining loss reserve accounts under ORS 285B.109 to 285B.119. [Formerly 285B.147]

 

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

 

(Oregon Small Business Development Act)

 

      285B.120 Oregon Small Business Development Act. ORS 271.510, 271.520, 285B.092, 285B.123, 285B.165 to 285B.171, 285B.320 to 285B.326, 285B.335, 285B.341, 285B.344, 285B.350, 285B.365, 285B.371, 657.471, 659A.015 and 777.250 shall be known as the Oregon Small Business Development Act of 1983. [Formerly 285.500]

 

      285B.123 Purpose. (1) The purpose of the Oregon Small Business Development Act of 1983 is to encourage and assist the development and continued growth of small business in this state.

      (2) As used in the Oregon Small Business Development Act of 1983, “small business” means a business having 100 or fewer employees. [Formerly 285.503; 2007 c.804 §16]

 

      285B.126 [Formerly 285.507; 2007 c.804 §50; 2009 c.830 §62; renumbered 285B.109 in 2009]

 

      285B.129 [Formerly 285.510; 2007 c.804 §51; renumbered 285B.111 in 2009]

 

(Small Business Expansion Loan Fund)

 

      285B.130 Loans from Small Business Expansion Loan Fund; application fees; eligibility; loan agreements; loan limits; moneys reserved for low to moderate income applicants; rules. (1) Subject to the requirements and conditions set forth in subsection (3) of this section, any person with 50 or fewer employees may submit to the Oregon Business Development Department an application to borrow moneys from the Small Business Expansion Loan Fund established under ORS 285B.133 for the purpose of obtaining early stage growth capital when adequate traditional commercial or private financing is not readily available to the applicant. The application must be submitted in the manner, and contain or be accompanied by the information, prescribed by the department by rule.

      (2) The department may charge fees in connection with an application submitted under this section and, if the application is approved, with processing and monitoring a loan agreement entered into pursuant to subsection (4) of this section. Fees collected must be deposited in the Small Business Expansion Loan Fund and may be used to pay the administrative costs and expenses of the department in administering the fund and implementing the provisions of this section and ORS 285B.133.

      (3) Upon receipt of an application submitted under this section, the department shall determine whether the applicant is eligible to receive a loan from the Small Business Expansion Loan Fund established under ORS 285B.133. The department may approve an application if, after investigation, the department finds that:

      (a) The applicant operates a business with 50 or fewer employees that is in the traded sector, as defined in ORS 285A.010, or that primarily supports traded sector industries;

      (b) The loan has a reasonable prospect of repayment;

      (c) The applicant demonstrates a reasonable potential for high growth that may support economic diversification of the state or the region in which the business is conducted, or increase employment opportunities or retain existing jobs in the state or region;

      (d) The applicant demonstrates readiness for market; and

      (e) There is or will be a sufficient amount of moneys in the Small Business Expansion Loan Fund to make a loan to the applicant.

      (4) If the department approves an application under this section, the department and the applicant shall enter into a loan agreement that provides, at a minimum, the following:

      (a) That loan proceeds may be used only to support acquisition of business assets or to pay for business operating expenses. Loan proceeds may not be used to refinance personal debt or debt not used for business purposes.

      (b) A plan for repayment of moneys borrowed from the Small Business Expansion Loan Fund. The department may specify the terms of repayment, singly or in any combination, by royalties, on the basis of a percentage of business revenues, by installment payments of principal, installment payments of interest or installment payments of both principal and interest, or otherwise. The plan must set forth a schedule of payments, the term of the loan and the manner of determining when loan payments are delinquent. The department, in its sole discretion, shall establish the terms of repayment, which must be structured so that the repayment plan and pricing:

      (A) Based on the total repayment costs, do not directly compete with traditional commercial lending services;

      (B) Are commensurate with the risk taken by the department when making a loan to the applicant; and

      (C) To the greatest extent possible, are anticipated to cover operational expenses and losses that the department may incur in the administration of the loan program.

      (c) That the loan must be secured by sufficient collateral and security. The department may specify by rule the types of collateral and security that are acceptable to secure repayment of the loan, including but not limited to personal guarantees, business or corporate guarantees and pledges of business and personal assets.

      (d) That the liability of the state under the agreement may not exceed the availability of moneys in the Small Business Expansion Loan Fund.

      (5)(a) The Director of the Oregon Business Development Department, or the director’s designee, may approve loans of up to $250,000 each. Loans greater than $250,000 each may be approved by the Oregon Business Development Commission, or the commission’s designee. No loan may be made for an amount greater than $2 million.

      (b) Immediately upon receiving loan proceeds, a successful applicant shall pay to the department an amount equal to one and one-half percent of the principal amount of the loan, for deposit in the Small Business Expansion Loan Fund.

      (6) Up to 20 percent of all moneys available for lending in the Small Business Expansion Loan Fund on July 1 of each fiscal year may be reserved for loans to applicants who are individuals considered to have low to moderate household income and low to moderate personal net worth, as defined by the department by rule, and who operate businesses:

      (a) Controlled and with at least 51 percent ownership interest in the business by minorities, women or honorably discharged veterans; or

      (b) That are located outside of the Portland, Oregon, Metropolitan Statistical Area.

      (7)(a) The department shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. Before adopting rules under this paragraph, the department shall consult with a representative from an association representing banks in this state.

      (b) The department may adopt rules that establish preferences in making loans under this section to individuals or businesses owned by individuals in underserved communities and in rural communities that may have insufficient access to diverse types of capital and traditional commercial or private financing.

      (c) The department may adopt rules establishing a loan amount limit of less than $2 million for purposes of subsection (5) of this section. [2018 c.71 §1]

 

      Note: 285B.130 and 285B.133 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 285B or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      285B.132 [Formerly 285.513; 2007 c.804 §52; 2009 c.830 §63; renumbered 285B.113 in 2009]

 

      285B.133 Small Business Expansion Loan Fund; purposes; sources of moneys; special transfers to and from fund. (1) The Small Business Expansion Loan Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Small Business Expansion Loan Fund shall be credited to the fund. All moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for the following purposes:

      (a) Payment of loans to applicants approved under ORS 285B.130.

      (b) Payments to local development groups for the purposes of this section. A payment under this paragraph may not exceed one percent of the principal loan amount from which payment is required under ORS 285B.130 (5)(b).

      (c) Administrative costs of the department incurred in marketing the loan program, processing loan applications, investigating eligibility of applicants and servicing outstanding loans.

      (2) The Small Business Expansion Loan Fund consists of:

      (a) Fees collected by the department under ORS 285B.130;

      (b) Payments required under ORS 285B.130 (5)(b);

      (c) Moneys repaid by recipients of loans from the fund, including interest on those moneys and other receipts;

      (d) Moneys appropriated to the fund by the Legislative Assembly;

      (e) Moneys transferred to the fund by the Oregon Business Development Commission from the Oregon Business Development Fund pursuant to subsection (3) of this section;

      (f) Income earned on moneys in the Small Business Expansion Loan Fund;

      (g) Moneys transferred to the fund from the federal government, other state agencies or local governments; and

      (h) Any gifts or donations made to the State of Oregon for deposit in the fund.

      (3) The Oregon Business Development Commission may transfer moneys credited to the Oregon Business Development Fund created under ORS 285B.092 to the Small Business Expansion Loan Fund established under this section when the commission determines that the transfer is reasonable and financially appropriate and would not impair the making of loans under ORS 285B.050 to 285B.098. Moneys transferred under this subsection shall be used by the Oregon Business Development Department for the purpose of making loans under ORS 285B.130.

      (4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if at any time there are insufficient funds in established business finance programs, the department may direct the transfer of unobligated funds from the Small Business Expansion Loan Fund. [2018 c.71 §§2,3]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.130.

 

      285B.135 [Formerly 285.515; 2003 c.167 §7; 2007 c.804 §53; 2009 c.830 §64; renumbered 285B.115 in 2009]

 

      285B.138 [Formerly 285.517; 2007 c.804 §54; 2009 c.830 §65; renumbered 285B.117 in 2009]

 

      285B.139 [1991 c.688 §15; 1993 c.765 §80; 1995 c.71 §1; 1997 c.738 §4; 1999 c.247 §5; 2001 c.96 §3; repealed by 2007 c.804 §86]

 

      285B.141 [Formerly 285.520; 2009 c.830 §66; renumbered 285B.118 in 2009]

 

      285B.144 [Formerly 285.525; 2007 c.354 §14; repealed by 2007 c.804 §86]

 

      285B.147 [Formerly 285.527; 2007 c.804 §55; 2009 c.830 §67; renumbered 285B.119 in 2009]

 

      285B.150 [Formerly 285.528; repealed by 2007 c.804 §86]

 

      285B.153 [Formerly 285.530; repealed by 2003 c.167 §16]

 

      285B.156 [Formerly 285.533; repealed by 1999 c.509 §61]

 

      285B.159 [Formerly 285.535; 2001 c.104 §98; repealed by 2007 c.804 §86]

 

      285B.162 [Formerly 285.537; repealed by 2007 c.804 §86]

 

(Small Business Development Centers)

 

      285B.165 Purpose of ORS 285B.165 to 285B.171. The purpose of ORS 285B.165 to 285B.171 is to establish and sustain a statewide network of small business development centers. [Formerly 285.540; 2001 c.148 §3; 2007 c.804 §17]

 

      285B.166 [2001 c.148 §2; repealed by 2007 c.804 §86]

 

      285B.168 Grants; application; required provisions; authorized uses; eligibility; subcontracts; report. (1) The Oregon Business Development Department may make grants available to a community college district, a community college service district or, with the concurrence of the executive director of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, a public university listed in ORS 352.002 to assist in the formation, improvement and operation of small business development centers. If a community college district, a community college service district or a public university is unable to adequately provide services in a specific geographic area, the department may make grants available to other service providers as determined by the department. The grant application shall include:

      (a) Plans for providing small business owners and managers individual counseling, to the greatest extent practicable, in subject areas critical to small business success;

      (b) A budget for the year for which a grant is requested, including cost apportionment among the department, small business clients, the community college, the public university or other service providers and other sources;

      (c) A plan for evaluating the effect of the program on small business clients served; and

      (d) A plan for providing collaboration with state agencies, state-supported organizations and private sector entities that provide services to small businesses.

      (2) The grants made under subsection (1) of this section are to be used by the grant recipient to provide:

      (a) Small business development center staff and support staff;

      (b) Expert resource persons from the business community;

      (c) Outreach and marketing for small business development centers;

      (d) Training and business resources as approved by the department in skill areas for which, or areas of the state where, the grant recipient can demonstrate it does not otherwise have the capacity or expertise to provide the resources; and

      (e) Costs related to providing training, counseling and business resources to small business clients.

      (3) To be eligible for a grant under subsection (1) of this section, the recipient shall be required to provide funds, in-kind contributions or some combination of funds and contributions, in accordance with rules adopted by the department.

      (4) Subject to the approval of the department, a grant recipient may subcontract funds received under this section to any other entity that is eligible to receive funding under this section.

      (5) The grant recipient shall submit a final report to the department after the distribution of grant funds and the delivery of services to the proposed business clients. The report shall state whether the plan and related budget have met the applicable criteria as described in the recipient’s application for the grant period. [Formerly 285.543; 2001 c.148 §4; 2003 c.773 §15; 2007 c.804 §18; 2009 c.830 §68; 2011 c.637 §93; 2013 c.747 §35; 2017 c.201 §1]

 

      285B.169 Centers to collaborate with state agencies and private sector. The statewide network of small business development centers established under ORS 285B.165 to 285B.171 shall, whenever practicable, collaborate with state agencies, state-supported organizations and private sector entities that provide services to small businesses to:

      (1) Refer small businesses that could benefit from the services offered by the small business development center network to small business development centers in the counties or regions where the small business development centers are located;

      (2) Use small business development centers for training and business outreach to small businesses;

      (3) Coordinate trainings to reduce multiple and repeat stops and inquiries for small businesses with common interests;

      (4) Inform small businesses of training opportunities that would not otherwise have been accessed or available; and

      (5) Reach target populations by advertising or otherwise distributing information through small business development centers. [2017 c.201 §3]

 

      285B.171 Short title. ORS 285B.165 to 285B.171 shall be known and may be cited as the “Small Business Training Assistance Act.” [Formerly 285.547]

 

(Miscellaneous)

 

      285B.174 Programs to assist businesses in procuring government contracts and grants. In cooperation with other state agencies and private organizations, public universities listed in ORS 352.002 and community colleges may develop programs to assist Oregon businesses with the procurement of government contracts and grants. Small business development centers established under ORS 285B.165 to 285B.171 may assist with these programs. [Formerly 285.550; 2001 c.148 §5; 2007 c.804 §19; 2011 c.637 §94]

 

      285B.177 [Formerly 285.553; repealed by 1999 c.509 §61]

 

MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

 

      285B.178 Definitions for Microenterprise Development Act. As used in this section and ORS 285B.179:

      (1) “Local microenterprise support organization” means a community development corporation, a nonprofit development organization, a nonprofit social services organization or another locally operated nonprofit entity that provides services to disadvantaged entrepreneurs.

      (2) “Low income” means income adjusted for family size that does not exceed:

      (a) For metropolitan areas, 80 percent of median income; or

      (b) For nonmetropolitan areas, the greater of 80 percent of the area median income or 80 percent of the statewide nonmetropolitan area median income.

      (3) “Microenterprise” has the meaning given that term under 15 U.S.C. 6901, as amended and in effect on June 30, 2007. If 15 U.S.C. 6901 is amended or altered on or after July 1, 2007, the Oregon Business Development Department may adopt by rule a definition of “microenterprise” to give the term the meaning given in 15 U.S.C. 6901 as amended or altered.

      (4) “Microentrepreneur” means an individual conducting a microenterprise.

      (5) “Microlending” means the practice of lending moneys to microenterprises or microentrepreneurs.

      (6) “Statewide microenterprise support organization” means a community development corporation, a nonprofit development organization, a nonprofit social services organization or another nonprofit entity that serves as an intermediary between the department and local microenterprise support organizations.

      (7) “Training and technical assistance” means services and support offered to microenterprises and microentrepreneurs. “Training and technical assistance” includes, but is not limited to, services to enhance business development, asset building, business planning, marketing, management skills and access to financial services.

      (8) “Very low income” means income adjusted for family size that does not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level determined under 42 U.S.C. 9902, as amended and in effect on June 30, 2007. If 42 U.S.C. 9902 is amended or altered on or after July 1, 2007, the department may adopt by rule the standard for determining the federal poverty level under 42 U.S.C. 9902 as amended or altered. [2001 c.419 §2; 2007 c.804 §20; 2009 c.830 §69]

 

      Note: 285B.178, 285B.179 and 285B.186 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 285B or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      285B.179 Purposes of Microenterprise Development Act. The purposes of ORS 285B.178 and this section are to:

      (1) Ensure that microenterprises in Oregon are able to realize their full potential to create jobs, enhance entrepreneurial skills, expand entrepreneurial activity and increase the capacity of low income and very low income households to become self-sufficient;

      (2) Enhance the development of a statewide infrastructure for microenterprise support; and

      (3) Enable the Oregon Business Development Department to engage in contractual relationships with statewide microenterprise support organizations that have the capacity to administer grants to local microenterprise support organizations, subject to ORS 285B.178 and this section, and to leverage additional funds from sources other than moneys appropriated from the General Fund. [2001 c.419 §3; 2007 c.804 §21; 2009 c.830 §70]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.178.

 

      285B.180 [Formerly 285.555; repealed by 1999 c.509 §61]

 

      285B.183 [2001 c.419 §5; repealed by 2007 c.804 §86]

 

      285B.186 Short title. ORS 285B.178 and 285B.179 shall be known and may be cited as the Microenterprise Development Act. [2001 c.419 §1]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.178.

 

CREDIT ENHANCEMENT FUND

 

      285B.200 Definitions for ORS 285B.200 to 285B.218. As used in ORS 285B.200 to 285B.218:

      (1) “Brownfield” or “brownfields” has the meaning given that term in ORS 285A.185.

      (2) “Eligible project costs” includes productive equipment and machinery, working capital for operations and export transactions and such other costs as the Oregon Business Development Department by rule may provide.

      (3) “Environmental action” has the meaning given that term in ORS 285A.188.

      (4) “Financial institution” includes institutions listed in ORS 706.008 and such other institutions defined by rule of the department as financial institutions for purposes of ORS 285B.200 to 285B.218.

      (5) “Qualified business” means any existing or proposed business located in this state that will produce substantial benefits for this state.

      (6) “Value-added agricultural industry” means an industry in which agricultural products have been processed, transformed or refined to the point where the products may be distributed to a final consumer without further processing, transformation or refining. The term also includes industries in which agricultural products are processed, transformed or refined for distribution to other than final consumers when such processing, transformation or refining represents a substantial increment in value as determined by the Oregon Business Development Department in consultation with the State Department of Agriculture. [Formerly 285.466; 1999 c.247 §4; 2007 c.804 §56; 2009 c.830 §71; 2012 c.73 §§1,2; 2016 c.116 §1]

 

      Note: 285B.200 to 285B.218 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 285B by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      285B.203 Purpose of Credit Enhancement Fund. The Legislative Assembly declares that it is the purpose of the Credit Enhancement Fund to:

      (1) Create incentives and assistance to increase the flow of private capital to the value-added agriculture industries.

      (2) Promote industrial modernization and technology adoption.

      (3) Encourage the retention and creation of family wage jobs.

      (4) Encourage the export of goods and services by Oregon businesses in international markets.

      (5) Encourage and promote the redevelopment of brownfields by providing assistance to perform environmental action on brownfield sites. [Formerly 285.468; 2001 c.96 §4; 2007 c.804 §57]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.200.

 

      285B.206 Duties of department; rules; application procedure; agreement contents. (1) The Oregon Business Development Department shall develop a program under which the department, under contracts with financial institutions, shall provide loan guarantees, insurance, coinsurance in conjunction with other providers of loan guarantee programs or other forms of credit guarantees for qualified businesses for eligible project costs.

      (2) In administering the program created by ORS 285B.200 to 285B.218, the department shall consult and cooperate with financial institutions in this state. The program shall be administered so that administrative procedures and application procedures are as responsive to the needs of qualified businesses and financial institutions as practicable, consistent with prudent investment and lending practices and criteria.

      (3) The department shall prescribe by rule the loan or credit guarantee application procedure for a financial institution on behalf of a qualified business.

      (4) When the department approves a loan or credit guarantee, the department shall enter into a loan or credit guarantee agreement with the financial institution. The agreement shall specify:

      (a) The fee to be charged to the financial institution;

      (b) The evidence of debt assurance of, and security for, the loan or credit guarantee;

      (c) A loan guarantee or credit guarantee which does not exceed 15 years; and

      (d) Such other terms and conditions considered necessary or desirable by the department. [Formerly 285.474; 2007 c.804 §58; 2009 c.830 §72]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.200.

 

      285B.209 Fees and terms for loan and credit guarantees. (1) When making loan or credit guarantees under the program established under ORS 285B.200 to 285B.218, the Oregon Business Development Department shall establish fees and other terms for loan or credit guarantees that are calculated to reasonably assure that businesses with access to other forms of private capital will find it economical not to participate in the program.

      (2) The department, with due regard for the possibility of losses and administrative costs, shall set fees and other terms at levels sufficient to reasonably assure that the program is self-financing. [Formerly 285.476; 2007 c.804 §59; 2009 c.830 §73]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.200.

 

      285B.212 [Formerly 285.478; repealed by 2007 c.804 §86]

 

      285B.215 Credit Enhancement Fund; uses; sources. (1) There is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund, the Credit Enhancement Fund. All moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for the following purposes:

      (a) Payment of claims pursuant to contracts for loan or credit guarantees under ORS 285B.200 to 285B.218.

      (b) Payment of administrative costs of the department for actual and necessary administrative expenses incurred by the department in administering the fund and establishing and maintaining the program established under ORS 285B.200 to 285B.218.

      (c) Repayment of transfers of funds required or authorized by law.

      (d) Purchase or buyout of superior or prior liens, mortgages or security interests.

      (2) Moneys in the Credit Enhancement Fund shall consist of:

      (a) Moneys appropriated to the fund by the Legislative Assembly, including moneys derived from the Administrative Services Economic Development Fund.

      (b) Proceeds from collateral assigned to the department.

      (c) Interest earned on moneys in the fund.

      (d) Transfers of moneys to the fund.

      (e) Fees assessed for guarantees, as determined by the department.

      (f) Moneys from gifts.

      (g) Moneys from any grant made to the fund by any federal agency.

      (h) Proceeds of insurance provided by the Export-Import Bank of the United States or by any other provider of insurance for export transactions. [Formerly 285.471; 2007 c.804 §60; 2009 c.830 §74]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.200.

 

      285B.218 Pledge to assure repayment; transfer of funds to pay claims. (1) The Oregon Business Development Department is authorized to pledge up to $75 million to assure the repayment of loan guarantees or other extensions of credit made to or on behalf of qualified businesses for eligible projects costs.

      (2) If the balances in the Credit Enhancement Fund are insufficient to cover any claims by financial institutions that arise from loan and credit guarantees made under ORS 285B.200 to 285B.218, the Oregon Department of Administrative Services is directed to transfer in the fiscal year as often as appropriate any funds from the Administrative Services Economic Development Fund to cover such principal, interest and claims, subject to the condition that no such transfer shall be made prior to the satisfaction of any constitutionally dedicated distribution, the allocation under ORS 391.130 to the Regional Light Rail Extension Construction Fund or any allocations related to the lottery bond program authorized by ORS 286A.560 (6)(a) or (b). [Formerly 285.481; 2007 c.804 §61; 2009 c.830 §75]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.200.

 

LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 

      285B.230 Local economic development strategy. As used in ORS 285B.230 to 285B.266, unless the context requires otherwise, “local economic development strategy” is a long-term economic development strategy, updated as required by the Oregon Business Development Department, that focuses on the economic development priorities of each community or geographic region in the state. [Formerly 285.630; 1999 c.509 §47; 2003 c.773 §16; 2007 c.804 §62; 2009 c.830 §76]

 

      285B.233 Legislative findings; purpose. (1) The Legislative Assembly finds that local economic development activities and initiatives are essential to the state’s long-term prosperity and that to be effective, local economic development strategies must have the coordinated support of available resources.

      (2) The Legislative Assembly declares that the purpose of ORS 285B.230 to 285B.266 is:

      (a) To encourage the development of local economic development strategies that address the economic development priorities of communities in or geographic regions of the state;

      (b) To identify and coordinate economic development priorities;

      (c) To ensure that economic development plans reinforce the long-term prosperity and livability of Oregon;

      (d) To effectively utilize available resources through a strategic program tied to the state’s economic development strategy;

      (e) To leverage and attract capital investment in Oregon communities; and

      (f) To coordinate private and public resources to support economic development. [Formerly 285.633; 1999 c.509 §48; 2003 c.773 §17; 2009 c.830 §77]

 

      285B.236 Guidelines for local economic development strategies; required provisions; rules. (1) The Oregon Business Development Department by rule shall adopt guidelines for submission of local economic development strategies and distribution of funds.

      (2) The guidelines shall provide that the local economic development strategies are approved in accordance with criteria reflecting the economic benefits to the state. Each local economic development strategy must at a minimum set forth in measurable terms the extent to which the strategy will accomplish the economic development priorities of the community or geographic region, and the department’s performance standards. [Formerly 285.635; 1999 c.509 §49; 2003 c.773 §18; 2007 c.804 §63; 2009 c.830 §78]

 

      285B.239 [Formerly 285.637; 1999 c.509 §50; 2001 c.552 §2; 2003 c.773 §19; 2007 c.804 §64; repealed by 2009 c.830 §171]

 

      285B.242 [Formerly 285.640; 1999 c.509 §51; 2003 c.773 §20; 2007 c.804 §65; repealed by 2009 c.830 §171]

 

      285B.245 [Formerly 285.643; 1999 c.509 §52; 2003 c.773 §21; 2007 c.804 §66; repealed by 2009 c.830 §171]

 

      285B.248 [Formerly 285.645; 1999 c.509 §53; 2003 c.773 §22; repealed by 2009 c.830 §171]

 

      285B.251 [Formerly 285.647; repealed by 1999 c.509 §61]

 

      285B.254 [Formerly 285.648; 1999 c.509 §54; 2003 c.773 §23; repealed by 2007 c.804 §86]

 

      285B.257 [Formerly 285.649; 1999 c.509 §55; 2003 c.773 §24; repealed by 2007 c.804 §86]

 

      285B.260 Local Economic Opportunity Fund; uses; rules. (1) There is created a Local Economic Opportunity Fund, separate and distinct from the General Fund, to consist of all moneys credited thereto, including moneys from the Administrative Services Economic Development Fund, and all interest earned on the Local Economic Opportunity Fund. The fund is continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department to be used for grants to implement ORS 280.518 and 285B.230 to 285B.266.

      (2) The department may use moneys in the Local Economic Opportunity Fund to pay for the administrative expenses of operating the local investment program under ORS 285B.230 to 285B.266.

      (3) The fund shall not be used to retire any debt, to reimburse any person or municipality for expenditures made or expenses incurred prior to the adoption of a local economic development strategy or to substitute for local government expenditures for existing and continuing public services. The department shall adopt rules to carry out the provisions of this subsection.

      (4) After consulting with representatives of communities or geographic areas, the department, by rule, shall adopt standards, objectives and criteria for the use and distribution of moneys in the Local Economic Opportunity Fund.

      (5) The Local Economic Opportunity Fund is created to provide a flexible funding source for financing those locally determined programs and projects that may not be eligible for financing through other state and federal funding sources. [Formerly 285.650; 1999 c.509 §56; 2003 c.773 §25; 2007 c.354 §15; 2007 c.804 §67; 2009 c.830 §79]

 

      285B.263 [Formerly 285.651; 1999 c.509 §57; 2001 c.552 §3; 2003 c.773 §26; 2007 c.804 §68; repealed by 2009 c.830 §171]

 

      285B.264 [2003 c.773 §26a; 2007 c.804 §69; repealed by 2009 c.830 §171]

 

      285B.266 Strategic Reserve Fund; uses. (1) There is created a Strategic Reserve Fund, separate and distinct from the General Fund, to consist of all moneys credited thereto, including moneys from the Administrative Services Economic Development Fund, and all interest earned on the Strategic Reserve Fund. The fund is continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department to be used to implement statewide strategies for economic development.

      (2) The fund shall not be used to retire any debt or, except upon approval of the Joint Ways and Means Committee or, if the Legislative Assembly is not in session, the Emergency Board, to pay administrative expenses of the department. Expenses that are project related shall not be considered to be administrative expenses of the department.

      (3) The department is directed to place particular emphasis on investments that assist communities, businesses or industries in cost-effective projects that assist the creation, expansion and preservation of the principal traded sector industries of Oregon and encourage diversification and preservation of regional economies. The fund shall be used to assist economic and community development projects of public entities, industry groups or businesses with significant long-term, regional or statewide economic impacts, to provide interim financing mechanisms to augment existing public or private sector programs or to analyze statewide, long-term economic issues and opportunities. [Formerly 285.653; 1999 c.509 §19; 2009 c.830 §80]

 

      285B.269 [Formerly 285.655; repealed by 2009 c.830 §171]

 

INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

 

      285B.280 Definition of “traded sector.” As used in ORS 285B.280 to 285B.286, unless the context requires otherwise, “traded sector” means industries in which member firms sell their goods or services into markets for which national or international competition exists. [Formerly 285.765; 2005 c.835 §1]

 

      285B.283 Policy. The Legislative Assembly declares that it is the policy of the State of Oregon:

      (1) Working with private firms, industry associations and others, to encourage cooperative sector-based strategies to promote industrial competitiveness.

      (2) That programs to develop particular industry sectors of this state’s economy, to the maximum extent feasible, include firms of all sizes. To promote that policy, the Oregon Business Development Department shall undertake efforts as are necessary to encourage representative participation by small firms under ORS 285B.280 to 285B.286.

      (3) To emphasize industry development in those sectors of the economy in which Oregon firms face national and international competition.

      (4) To provide an adequate supply of industrial and traded sector sites that are available for immediate development. [Formerly 285.767; 2003 c.800 §22; 2009 c.830 §81]

 

      285B.286 Entrepreneurial and industry development activities. For traded sector industries, the Oregon Business Development Department shall undertake entrepreneurial and industry development activities that may include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

      (1) Focus groups and other meetings and related studies to identify traded sector industry members and issues of common concern within an industry.

      (2) State technical and financial support for formation of industry associations, publication of association directories and related efforts to create or expand the activities of industry associations.

      (3) Helping establish research consortia as well as partnering with universities and other research institutions to assist in the retention and recruitment of targeted industries.

      (4) Joint training and education programs and curricula related to the specific needs of traded sector industries.

      (5) Cooperative market and entrepreneurial development activities.

      (6) Analysis of the need, feasibility and cost for establishing product certification and testing facilities and services.

      (7) State technical and financial support to facilitate certification of sites as ready for development for traded sector industry. The support may include performing site assessments to determine the costs associated with development of individual sites.

      (8) Assistance to traded sector and cluster affiliated Oregon businesses and consortia in making investments that advance entrepreneurial and industry-related development activities or other identified competitiveness objectives of existing Oregon cluster businesses.

      (9) Assistance and support that promote regional economic development strategies fostering entrepreneurship and the development of targeted industry clusters in rural communities.

      (10) Subject to applicable policies and procedures, entering into agreements for grants or other assistance, including but not limited to direct purchase of goods or services related to entrepreneurial and industry development. [Formerly 285.770; 1999 c.509 §20; 2003 c.800 §23; 2009 c.830 §82; 2014 c.3 §1; 2015 c.84 §1]

 

      285B.289 [Formerly 285.773; repealed by 1999 c.509 §61]

 

      285B.290 Industry Competitiveness Fund; uses. The Industry Competitiveness Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. The Industry Competitiveness Fund shall consist of all moneys credited to the fund, including moneys from the Administrative Services Economic Development Fund. Interest earned by the Industry Competitiveness Fund shall be credited to the fund. Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department to provide funds for activities outlined in ORS 285B.286. [2007 c.804 §71; 2009 c.830 §83]

 

      Note: 285B.290 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 285B or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

(Temporary provisions relating to outdoor gear and apparel industry grants)

 

      Note: Sections 4 to 7, chapter 546, Oregon Laws 2023, provide:

      Sec. 4. As used in this section and section 5 of this 2023 Act:

      (1) “Business accelerator” means a company:

      (a) Operating principally in this state;

      (b) With demonstrated success in operating educational programs in which outdoor gear and apparel industry veterans mentor cohorts of founders of emerging outdoor gear and apparel industry companies located in this state; and

      (c) Whose purpose is to help incubate and accelerate the growth of emerging companies.

      (2) “Membership organization” means a nonprofit organization:

      (a) Operating principally in this state;

      (b) Consisting of member businesses from the outdoor gear and apparel industry whose principal place of business is in this state; and

      (c) That has the purpose of growing the outdoor gear and apparel industry at the state or regional level.

      (3) “Outdoor gear and apparel industry” means all traded sector businesses that manufacture gear and apparel for use in outdoor recreation.

      (4) “Outdoor recreation” means activities undertaken for pleasure outdoors in natural environments.

      (5) “Traded sector” has the meaning given that term in ORS 285B.280. [2023 c.546 §4]

      Sec. 5. (1)(a) The Oregon Business Development Department shall use the expenditure authority under section 3 of this 2023 Act to award matching grants to membership organizations and business accelerators in accordance with this section.

      (b) Matching grants awarded under this section must be used by the receiving membership organizations and business accelerators for the purposes of capacity building and technical assistance in the outdoor gear and apparel industry.

      (2)(a) The department shall provide public notice whenever there are funds available for matching grants under this section.

      (b) The notice must include information about the requirements for eligibility and the application process for the matching grants.

      (3)(a) A membership organization or business accelerator seeking a matching grant under this section must file with the department an application in accordance with rules adopted by the department pursuant to paragraph (c) of this subsection. The information included with the application must demonstrate that the applicant is a membership organization or business accelerator.

      (b) The department may charge an application fee in an amount that does not exceed the actual costs incurred by the department in processing applications filed pursuant to this section.

      (c) The department shall adopt rules that establish the application process for matching grants awarded under this section.

      (4) The department may not pay the amount of a matching grant to a membership organization or business accelerator unless the recipient has entered into a grant agreement with the department that establishes the deliverables required from, and other goals to be met by, the recipient. [2023 c.546 §5]

      Sec. 6. No later than September 15, 2024, the Oregon Business Development Department shall submit, in the manner provided in ORS 192.245, a report that sets forth the investments made pursuant to section 5 of this 2023 Act to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to economic development. [2023 c.546 §6]

      Sec. 7. Sections 4 and 5 of this 2023 Act are repealed on January 2, 2026. [2023 c.546 §7]

 

      285B.292 [Formerly 285.775; repealed by 1999 c.509 §61]

 

      285B.295 [Formerly 285.777; repealed by 1999 c.509 §61]

 

      285B.298 [Formerly 285.780; repealed by 1999 c.509 §61]

 

STATE REVENUE BONDS FOR INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL, SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT USES

 

      285B.320 Purpose of ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371. It is the purpose of ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371 to authorize the exercise of powers granted by ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371 by this state in addition to and not in lieu of any other powers it may possess. [Formerly 285.310; 1999 c.509 §29; 2001 c.680 §2; 2007 c.804 §72]

 

      285B.323 Definitions for ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371. (1) As used in ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371, unless the context requires otherwise:

      (a) “Bond” or “revenue bond” means a revenue bond, as defined in ORS 286A.001.

      (b) “Capital asset” means real or personal property that the Oregon Business Development Commission expects to be:

      (A) Used in connection with a revenue-producing enterprise, an exempt facility or a nonprofit entity; and

      (B) Located in Oregon.

      (c) “Economic development project” means:

      (A) A capital asset.

      (B) Research and development conducted in Oregon.

      (C) Estimated operating expenses associated with a capital asset.

      (d) “Eligible project” means the portion of an economic development project that the commission:

      (A) Has found is in compliance with applicable standards of the commission;

      (B) Has found will produce substantial benefits in Oregon; and

      (C) Has approved for financing with proceeds of bonds authorized under ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371.

      (e) “Exempt facility” means any facility described in section 142(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect as of July 1, 2011.

      (f) “Nonprofit entity” means an institution, organization or other entity exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect as of July 1, 2011.

      (2) Notwithstanding the definition of “exempt facility” in subsection (1) of this section, if section 142(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended or altered on or after July 1, 2011, the Oregon Business Development Department may adopt by rule a definition of “exempt facility” that is consistent with section 142(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended or altered.

      (3) Notwithstanding the definition of “nonprofit entity” in subsection (1) of this section, if section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended or altered on or after July 1, 2011, the department may adopt a definition of “nonprofit entity” that is consistent with section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended or altered. [Formerly 285.315; 1999 c.509 §30; 2001 c.680 §3; 2007 c.804 §§73,90; 2009 c.830 §84; 2011 c.27 §1; 2012 c.59 §1]

 

      285B.326 Request for issuance of bonds; fees; rules; reimbursement for expenses. (1) Upon determining that an economic development project is an eligible project, the Oregon Business Development Commission shall request that the State Treasurer issue the bonds.

      (2) For bonding purposes, the commission may treat any number of economic development projects determined to be eligible projects as a single eligible project.

      (3) The commission shall collect fees set forth in rules established by the Oregon Business Development Department. Moneys collected under this subsection shall be deposited in the Oregon Business, Innovation and Trade Fund created under ORS 285A.227 and are continuously appropriated to the commission for the purpose of administration or funding of the Oregon Industrial Development Revenue Bond and Express Bond Program.

      (4)(a) In addition to the fees described in subsection (3) of this section, the commission may charge and receive reimbursement for expenses incurred in:

      (A) The initial review of an application for economic development projects sought to be declared eligible for financing; and

      (B) Matters arising after the issuance of a bond.

      (b) Reimbursement for expenses under this subsection shall be charged and received in accordance with rules established by the department. [Formerly 285.320; 1999 c.509 §31; 2003 c.167 §8; 2007 c.804 §§74,91; 2009 c.830 §85; 2011 c.27 §2]

 

      285B.329 Review of project by commission; exception. (1) The state, acting through the State Treasurer, shall not undertake to finance any economic development project pursuant to ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371 before the Oregon Business Development Commission has reviewed the project.

      (2) The commission is not required to make the determination and findings described in ORS 285A.055 (1) and (2) if the economic development project involves an exempt facility. [Formerly 285.325; 1999 c.509 §32; 2001 c.680 §4; 2007 c.804 §75; 2009 c.830 §86; 2012 c.59 §2]

 

      285B.332 [Formerly 285.330; 1999 c.509 §33; repealed by 2007 c.804 §86]

 

      285B.335 Powers of department; lease requirements. (1) In addition to any other powers granted by law or by charter, the Oregon Business Development Department may:

      (a) Enter into agreements to finance the costs of an eligible project by loaning or otherwise making available the proceeds of bonds authorized by ORS 285B.344 to a person, an agency of the federal government or state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, under terms and with security approved by the department.

      (b) Lease and sublease eligible projects to a person, an agency of the federal government or state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, subject to subsection (2) of this section.

      (c) Pledge or assign all or part of the revenues of one or more eligible projects owned or to be acquired by the state to the holders of bonds issued under this section or to a trustee for the holders, and segregate the revenues or provide for payment of the revenues to the trustee.

      (d) Mortgage or otherwise encumber eligible projects in favor of the holders of bonds issued under this section, a trustee for the holders of the bonds, or an escrow agent, vendor, lender, other financing party or trustee for the bonds without obligating the state except with respect to the project.

      (e) Make contracts, execute instruments and do what is necessary or desirable to exercise the powers granted by this section, to perform the covenants or duties of this state or to secure the payment of bonds issued under this section. Contracts that may be made by the state include, but are not limited to, contracts entered into prior to construction, acquisition or installation of an eligible project that authorize, subject to terms and conditions the state finds necessary or desirable, a lessee to provide for construction, acquisition or installation of buildings, improvements or equipment to be included in the project.

      (f) Enter into and perform contracts and agreements with participating institutions for the planning, construction, installation, acquisition, leasing or financing of facilities of an eligible project, including a contract or agreement that establishes a body for the supervision and general management of the facilities.

      (g) Accept loans or grants for the planning, construction, installation, acquisition, leasing or other provision of an eligible project from an authorized agency of the federal government, and enter into agreements with the agency respecting the loans or grants.

      (h) Acquire, own, sell, assign or otherwise hold legal or equitable title to or an interest in eligible projects or hold federal tax ownership of eligible projects.

      (2) A lease or sublease entered into under subsection (1)(b) of this section must provide that:

      (a) Rents charged for the use of the project are established and revised as necessary to produce sufficient revenue to allow for payment of the principal of and interest on bonds issued under this chapter when due; and

      (b) The lessee or sublessee is required to pay:

      (A) The expenses of the operation and maintenance of the project including, but not limited to, adequate insurance on the project and insurance against liability for injury to persons or property arising from the operation of the project; and

      (B) The taxes and special assessments levied upon the leased or subleased premises and payable during the term of the lease or sublease.

      (3) During the term of a lease or sublease entered into under subsection (1)(b) of this section, ad valorem taxes must be imposed on the real and personal property of the eligible project in the same manner as the taxes would be imposed if the lessee or sublessee were the owner of the eligible project. [Formerly 285.335; 1999 c.509 §34; 2001 c.680 §5; 2003 c.167 §11; 2007 c.783 §98; 2009 c.830 §87]

 

      285B.338 Powers of commission. In carrying out its duties under ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371, the Oregon Business Development Commission acting for and in behalf of the state as its duly authorized agency, may:

      (1) Acquire, construct and hold in whole or in part any lands, buildings, easements, water and air rights, improvements to lands and buildings and capital equipment to be located permanently or used exclusively on such lands or in such buildings, which are deemed necessary in connection with an eligible project to be situated within the state, and construct, reconstruct, improve, better and extend such projects, and enter into contracts therefor; and

      (2) Sell and convey all properties acquired in connection with eligible projects, including without limitation the sale and conveyance thereof subject to any mortgage and the sale and conveyance thereof under an option granted to the lessee of the eligible project, for such price, and at such time as the state may determine. However, no sale or conveyance of such properties shall ever be made in such manner as to impair the rights of interests of the holder, or holders, or any bonds issued under the authority of ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371. [Formerly 285.340; 1999 c.509 §35; 2009 c.830 §88]

 

      285B.341 Limitation on state power. Except as provided in ORS 285B.335 and 285B.338, the state does not have the power to operate any eligible project as a business or in any manner whatsoever, and except as provided in ORS 285B.335 and 285B.338, nothing in ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371 authorizes the state to expend any funds on any eligible project, other than the revenues of such projects, or the proceeds of revenue bonds issued hereunder, or other funds granted to the state for the purposes of an eligible project. For the purpose of exercising the powers and authority granted under ORS 285B.335 or 285B.338, the state and the Oregon Business Development Commission are not subject to the requirements of ORS 279.835 to 279.855 or ORS chapter 279A, 279B or 279C. [Formerly 285.345; 2001 c.680 §6; 2003 c.167 §12; 2003 c.794 §239; 2009 c.830 §89]

 

      285B.344 Issuance of bonds. (1) At the request of the Oregon Business Development Department, the State Treasurer may issue under ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371 and ORS chapter 286A bonds secured by revenues from an eligible project or from other financing sources to finance or refinance in whole or part an eligible project and bond-related costs, including capitalized interest. The bonds must be identified by eligible project. Refunding bonds may be issued to refinance the bonds.

      (2) The department or the State Treasurer may appoint bond counsel as prescribed under ORS 286A.130.

      (3) Any escrow agent, bond registrar, paying agent or trustee, if any, designated to carry out all or part of the powers specified in ORS 285B.335 must agree to furnish financial statements and audit reports for each bond issue. [Formerly 285.350; 1999 c.509 §36; 2001 c.536 §1; 2003 c.167 §13; 2003 c.794 §240; 2007 c.783 §99; 2009 c.830 §90; 2012 c.59 §3]

 

      285B.347 [Formerly 285.355; 1999 c.509 §37; repealed by 2007 c.783 §234]

 

      285B.350 Method of issuing bonds. Bonds authorized under ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371 shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of ORS chapter 286A. [Formerly 285.360; 2007 c.783 §100]

 

      285B.353 Administrative expenses. The administrative expenses of the State Treasurer shall be charged against bond proceeds or project revenues. [Formerly 285.365]

 

      285B.356 Refunding bonds. The State Treasurer shall have the power, whenever the treasurer deems refunding expedient, to refund any bonds by the issuance of new bonds, whether the bonds to be refunded have or have not matured. The refunding bonds may be exchanged for bonds to be refunded and the proceeds applied to the purchase, redemption or payment of such bonds. [Formerly 285.370]

 

      285B.359 Validity of bonds. The validity of bonds issued under ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371 shall not be dependent on nor be affected by the validity or regularity of any proceeding relating to the acquisition, purchase, construction, installation, reconstruction, improvement, betterment or extension of the eligible project for which the bonds are issued. The official action authorizing such bonds may provide that the bonds shall contain a recital that they are issued pursuant to ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371 and such recital shall be conclusive evidence of their validity and of the regularity of their issuance. [Formerly 285.375]

 

      285B.362 Covenants in bonds. The official action authorizing the issuance of bonds under ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371 to finance or refinance in whole or in part, the acquisition, construction, installation, reconstruction, improvement, betterment or extension of any eligible project may contain covenants, notwithstanding that such covenants may limit the exercises of powers conferred by ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371 in the following respects and in such other respects as the Oregon Business Development Department may decide:

      (1) The rents to be charged for the use of properties acquired, constructed, installed, reconstructed, improved, bettered or extended under the authority of ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371;

      (2) The use and disposition of the revenues of such projects;

      (3) The creation and maintenance of sinking funds and the regulation, use and disposition thereof;

      (4) The creation and maintenance of funds to provide for maintaining the eligible project and replacement of properties depreciated, damaged, destroyed or condemned;

      (5) The purpose or purposes to which the proceeds of sale of bonds may be applied and the use and disposition of such proceeds;

      (6) The nature of mortgages or other encumbrances on the eligible project made in favor of the holder or holders of such bonds or in favor of any escrow agent, vendor, lender, other financing party or trustee therefor;

      (7) The events of default and the rights and liabilities arising thereon and the terms and conditions upon which the holders of any bonds may bring any suit or action on such bonds or on any coupons appurtenant thereto;

      (8) The issuance of other or additional bonds or instruments payable from or constituting a charge against the revenue of the eligible project;

      (9) The insurance to be carried upon the eligible project and the use and disposition of insurance moneys;

      (10) The keeping of books of account and the inspection and audit thereof;

      (11) The terms and conditions upon which any or all of the bonds shall become or may be declared due before maturity and the terms and conditions upon which such declaration and its consequences may be waived;

      (12) The rights, liabilities, powers and duties arising upon the breach by the municipality or redevelopment agency of any covenants, conditions or obligations;

      (13) The appointing of and vesting in a trustee or trustees of the right to enforce any covenants made to secure or to pay the bonds; the powers and duties of such trustee or trustees, and the limitation of their liabilities;

      (14) The terms and conditions upon which the holder or holders of the bonds, or the holders of any proportion or percentage of them, may enforce any covenants made under ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371;

      (15) A procedure by which the terms of any official action authorizing bonds or of any other contract with bondholders, including but not limited to an indenture of trust or similar instrument, may be amended or abrogated, and the amount of bonds the holders of which may consent thereto, and the manner in which such consent may be given; and

      (16) The subordination of the security of any bonds issued under ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371 and the payment of principal and interest thereof, to the extent deemed feasible and desirable by the state, to other bonds or obligations of the state issued to finance the eligible project or that may be outstanding when the bonds thus subordinated are issued and delivered. [Formerly 285.380; 1999 c.509 §38; 2007 c.783 §101; 2009 c.830 §91]

 

      285B.365 Limitations of bonds; recitals. (1) Revenue bonds issued under ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371:

      (a) Shall not be payable from nor charged upon any funds other than the revenue pledged to the payment thereof, nor shall the state be subject to any liability thereon. No holder or holders of such bonds shall ever have the right to compel any exercise of the taxing power of the state to pay any such bonds or the interest thereon, nor to enforce payment thereof against any property of the state except those projects or portions thereof, mortgaged or otherwise encumbered under the provisions and for the purposes of ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371.

      (b) Shall not constitute a charge, lien or encumbrance, legal or equitable, upon any property of the state, except those eligible projects, or portions thereof, mortgaged or otherwise encumbered, under the provisions and for the purposes of ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371.

      (2) Each bond issued under ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371 shall recite in substance that the bond, including interest thereon, is payable solely from the revenue pledged to the payment thereof. No such bond shall constitute a debt of the state or a lending of the credit of the state within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory limitation. However, nothing in ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371 is intended to impair the rights of holders of bonds to enforce covenants made for the security thereof as provided in ORS 285B.368. [Formerly 285.385; 2003 c.167 §14]

 

      285B.368 Powers and rights of bondholders. Subject to any contractual limitation binding upon the holders of any issue of bonds, or any escrow agent, vendor, lender, other financing party or trustee therefor, including but not limited to the restriction of the exercise of any remedy to a specified proportion or percentage of such holders, any holder of bonds, or any trustee therefor, for the equal benefit and protection of all bondholders similarly situated, may:

      (1) By action or proceeding for legal or equitable remedies, enforce their rights against the state and any of its officers, agents and employees, and may require and compel the state or any such officers, agents or employees to perform and carry out its and their duties and obligations under ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371 and its and their covenants and agreements with bondholders;

      (2) By action require the state to account as if it was the trustee of an express trust;

      (3) By action enjoin any acts or things which may be unlawful or in violation of the right of the bondholders;

      (4) Bring action upon the bonds;

      (5) Foreclose any mortgage or lien given under the authority of ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371 and cause the property standing as security to be sold under any proceedings permitted by law or equity; and

      (6) Exercise any right or remedy conferred by ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371 without exhausting and without regard to any other right or remedy conferred by ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371 or any other law of this state, none of which rights and remedies is intended to be exclusive of any other, and each is cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy. [Formerly 285.390; 1999 c.509 §39]

 

      285B.371 State interest in eligible projects not necessary for loans; security. The state, acting through the Oregon Business Development Commission, may loan the proceeds of the bonds authorized by ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371 for eligible projects without the necessity of the state having any ownership or leasehold interest in the eligible projects. Loans made pursuant to this section shall be secured, if at all, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by the commission. [Formerly 285.393; 1999 c.509 §40; 2007 c.783 §102; 2009 c.830 §92]

 

      285B.374 [Formerly 285.395; 1999 c.509 §41; repealed by 2003 c.167 §16]

 

      285B.377 [Formerly 285.397; 1999 c.509 §42; repealed by 2003 c.167 §16]

 

      285B.380 [Formerly 285.398; 2003 c.662 §7; renumbered 285C.600 in 2003]

 

      285B.383 [Formerly 285.399; 1999 c.509 §26; 2003 c.662 §8; renumbered 285C.606 in 2003]

 

      285B.386 [Formerly 285.400; 2003 c.662 §9; renumbered 285C.609 in 2003]

 

      285B.389 [Formerly 285.401; 1999 c.509 §21; 2003 c.167 §9; 2003 c.662 §10a; renumbered 285C.612 in 2003]

 

      285B.392 [Formerly 285.402; 2003 c.662 §11; renumbered 285C.620 in 2003]

 

INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

 

(Generally)

 

      285B.410 Definitions for ORS 285B.410 to 285B.482. As used in ORS 285B.410 to 285B.482, unless the context requires otherwise:

      (1) “Airport” means:

      (a) A runway, taxiway, aircraft parking apron, ramp, auto parking area, access road, safety area or runway protection zone;

      (b) An airport-related facility, including a hangar, terminal, air traffic control tower or other building;

      (c) A signal, navigational aid or traffic control system; or

      (d) A fuel tank or other physical airport improvement.

      (2)(a) “Community development project” means a project that involves strategic planning, training or other technical assistance as defined by the Oregon Business Development Department by rule, and that is aimed at strengthening the economic development, community development or infrastructure priority setting of a municipality or region.

      (b) “Community development project” includes the following activities:

      (A) Developing and managing short-term and long-term projects;

      (B) Developing priorities for infrastructure projects;

      (C) Strategic planning related to furthering economic or community development; or

      (D) Training related to economic or community development, including training to improve leadership skills, technical skills or analytical skills, particularly in rural and distressed areas.

      (c) “Community development project” includes projects that may encompass a municipality or any part of a municipality and may be undertaken in cooperation with another municipality.

      (3) “Development project” means a project for the acquisition, improvement, construction, demolition, or redevelopment of municipally owned utilities, buildings, land, transportation facilities or other facilities that assist the economic and community development of the municipality, including planning project activities that are necessary or useful as determined by the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority.

      (4) “Direct project management costs” means expenses directly related to a project that are incurred by a municipality solely to support or manage a project eligible for assistance under ORS 285B.410 to 285B.482. “Direct project management costs” does not include routine or ongoing expenses of the municipality.

      (5) “Emergency project” means a development project resulting from an emergency as defined in ORS 401.025, to which federal disaster relief has been committed.

      (6) “Energy system” means a facility necessary for the distribution, transmission or generation of energy, including but not limited to facilities powered by wind, solar energy or biofuel and facilities for the collection, storage, transmission or distribution of a fuel, including natural gas, methane or hydrogen.

      (7) “Levee project” means a community development project, development project, planning project or other project that is associated with the construction, capital improvement, inspection, accreditation, certification or repair of levees, flood control embankments or flood control facilities.

      (8) “Marine facility” means:

      (a) A wharf, dock, freight handling or passenger facility;

      (b) A navigation channel or structure, including a project funded under ORS 777.267; or

      (c) Any other physical marine facility improvement.

      (9) “Municipality” means an Oregon city or county, the Port of Portland created by ORS 778.010, a county service district organized under ORS chapter 451, a district as defined in ORS 198.010, a drainage district organized under ORS chapter 547, a tribal council of a federally recognized Indian tribe in this state or an airport district organized under ORS chapter 838.

      (10) “Planning project” means:

      (a) A project related to a potential development project for preliminary, final or construction engineering;

      (b) A survey, site investigation or environmental action;

      (c) A financial, technical or other feasibility report, study or plan; or

      (d) An activity that the authority determines to be necessary or useful in planning for a potential development project.

      (11) “Project” means a development, community development, planning, levee or emergency project.

      (12) “Railroad” means:

      (a) A main line, siding, yard, connecting or auxiliary track, right of way or easement;

      (b) An industrial spur or related facility, including a depot, shop, maintenance building or other building;

      (c) A signal or traffic control system;

      (d) A bridge or tunnel;

      (e) A dock, pit, conveyor, bin, crane, piping system, tank or pavement for unloading, loading or transfer of freight, trailers or containers; or

      (f) Any other physical railroad improvement.

      (13) “Road” means a street, highway or thruway or a road-related structure that provides for continuity of a right of way, including a bridge, tunnel, culvert or similar structure or other physical road-related improvement.

      (14) “Rural area” has the meaning given that term in ORS 285A.010.

      (15) “Solid waste disposal site” has the meaning given the term “disposal site” in ORS 459.005.

      (16) “Telecommunications system” means equipment or a facility for the electronic transmission of voice, data, text, image or video.

      (17) “Transportation” means a system for movement of freight or passengers.

      (18) “Utilities” means a solid waste disposal site or a water, sewage, storm water drainage, energy or telecommunications system. [Formerly 285.700; 1999 c.509 §43; 2001 c.96 §5; 2001 c.633 §1; 2001 c.883 §27; 2003 c.773 §27; 2005 c.835 §2; 2007 c.804 §32; 2009 c.830 §93; 2015 c.667 §1; 2021 c.654 §2]

 

      285B.413 Legislative findings; purpose; use of moneys; rules. (1) The Legislative Assembly finds that:

      (a) The improvement, expansion and new construction of the state’s infrastructure systems provide the basic framework for continuing and expanding economic activity in this state, thereby improving the quality of life and economic opportunity for the people of Oregon.

      (b) It is essential to maintain usable and developable industrial and commercial lands in Oregon.

      (2) Because municipalities in this state often suffer from a lack of available financing and technical capacity for these projects, it is the purpose of ORS 285B.410 to 285B.482 to provide financial or other assistance to enable municipalities to construct, improve and repair those facilities that are essential for supporting continuing and expanded economic activity. It is the intent of the Legislative Assembly, by providing that assistance, to stimulate industrial growth and commercial enterprise and to promote employment opportunities in Oregon.

      (3) Moneys in the Special Public Works Fund shall be used primarily to provide loans to municipalities for development and planning projects. Grants shall be given only when loans are not feasible due to the financial need of the municipality or under circumstances that the Oregon Business Development Department specifies by administrative rule. The Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority is authorized to determine the level of grant or loan funding, if any, on a case-by-case basis. [Formerly 285.703; 2001 c.883 §27a; 2003 c.773 §28; 2005 c.835 §3; 2009 c.830 §94]

 

      285B.416 [Formerly 285.705; 2001 c.883 §28; 2003 c.773 §29; repealed by 2005 c.835 §37]

 

      285B.419 Administration of Special Public Works Fund; rules and policies. (1) The Oregon Business Development Department shall adopt rules and policies for the administration of the Special Public Works Fund. All forms of assistance are subject to the rules and policies of the department.

      (2) The Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority shall manage the Special Public Works Fund and any expenditures from its accounts and transfers between its accounts so that the fund provides a continuing source of financing for development or planning projects consistent with ORS 285B.413.

      (3) The authority may commit moneys in the Special Public Works Fund or reserve future income to the fund for disbursal in future years under ORS 285B.440. The authority shall commit or reserve moneys under this subsection only after:

      (a) Allowing for contingencies;

      (b) Finding that there will be sufficient unobligated net income to the fund to make the future payments, consistent with the financial requirements of subsections (2) and (3) of this section; and

      (c) Providing in any contract for the commitment that the liability of the state to make the annual payments shall be contingent on the availability of moneys in the Special Public Works Fund.

      (4) In assisting municipalities with projects, the authority shall cooperate to the maximum extent possible with other state and federal agencies. [Formerly 285.707; 1999 c.509 §22; 2001 c.633 §2; 2001 c.883 §29; 2003 c.773 §30; 2005 c.835 §5; 2009 c.830 §95]

 

(Levee Project Assistance)

 

      285B.420 Financial assistance for levee projects; required findings. (1) The Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority may provide financial assistance in the form of loans or grants for a levee project to:

      (a) Drainage districts organized under ORS chapter 547;

      (b) Corporations or companies for drainage or flood control organized under ORS chapter 554; and

      (c) For-profit or nonprofit entities and individuals engaged in the ownership, construction, inspection, accreditation, certification or repair of levees.

      (2) To qualify for financial assistance under this section, the district, corporation, company, entity or individual must demonstrate, and the authority must find, that the levee project substantially contributes to the improvement, expansion or repair of the state’s or a municipality’s infrastructure system and is essential for the use or development of farm, industrial or commercial land in Oregon.

      (3) Levee projects that receive financial assistance under this section are subject to the provisions and requirements of ORS 285B.410 to 285B.482, if applicable. [2015 c.667 §3]

 

      Note: 285B.420 was added to and made a part of 285B.410 to 285B.482 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      285B.421 Levee Project Grant Fund; limits; matching funds; rural and distressed areas. (1) The Levee Project Grant Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Levee Project Grant Fund must be credited to the fund. The Levee Project Grant Fund consists of moneys deposited in the fund under section 33, chapter 671, Oregon Laws 2019, and may include moneys appropriated, allocated, deposited or transferred to the fund by the Legislative Assembly or otherwise and interest earned on moneys in the fund.

      (2) Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority to provide grants under ORS 285B.420 for levee projects as defined in ORS 285B.410.

      (3) Grants from the fund for planning projects are limited to a maximum of $2 million per applicant per biennium.

      (4) Grants from the fund for construction or capital improvement projects may not exceed an amount equal to 80 percent of the total cost of the project.

      (5) A grant may not be awarded from the fund unless the applicant pledges matching funds to the project of at least 20 percent of the amount of the grant.

      (6) At least 60 percent of the dollar value of grants awarded from the fund in any biennium shall be used to provide assistance with levee projects to rural or distressed areas as those terms are defined in ORS 285A.010. [2019 c.671 §34; 2021 c.654 §1]

 

      Note: 285B.421 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 285B or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

(Municipal Development Projects)

 

      285B.422 Funding to municipalities for development projects; criteria for project funding; prohibited uses. (1) The Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority may provide financial or other assistance to a municipality for a development project.

      (2) The project must be municipally owned and operated either by the municipality or under a management contract or an operating agreement with the municipality. If the project consists:

      (a) Solely of the purchase or acquisition of land by the municipality, the land must be identified in the applicable land use or capital plan as necessary for a potential development project or be zoned solely for commercial or industrial use.

      (b) Of a privately owned railroad, the railroad must be designated by the owner and operator as subject to abandonment within three years, pursuant to federal law governing abandonment of common carrier railroad lines.

      (c) Of a telecommunications system, the governing body of the municipality shall adopt a resolution, after a public hearing, finding that the proposed telecommunications system project is necessary and would not otherwise be provided by a for-profit entity within a reasonable time and for a reasonable cost.

      (3) If the project is an energy system, the municipality and the serving utility must execute an ownership and operating agreement for the proposed energy system. This subsection does not apply when the energy system will be located within the recognized service territory of the municipality.

      (4) The authority may not use funds to provide assistance for:

      (a) Projects that primarily focus on relocating business or economic activity from one part of the state to another, except in cases where the business or economic activity would otherwise locate outside of Oregon; or

      (b) Ongoing operations or maintenance expenses. [1997 c.800 §12; 1999 c.509 §44; 2001 c.883 §30; 2003 c.773 §31; 2005 c.835 §6; 2009 c.11 §33; 2009 c.830 §96]

 

      Note: 285B.422 was added to and made a part of 285B.410 to 285B.482 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      285B.425 [1997 c.800 §13; 2001 c.883 §30a; repealed by 2005 c.835 §37]

 

(Assistance from Special Public Works Fund)

 

      285B.428 Application for funds; rules. Any municipality may apply for financial or other assistance from the Special Public Works Fund by submitting a completed application and related information as required by the Oregon Business Development Department by rule. The application shall be filed, reviewed and approved or rejected in accordance with rules adopted by the department. [Formerly 285.710; 2001 c.883 §30b; 2003 c.773 §33; 2005 c.835 §11; 2009 c.830 §98]

 

      285B.431 [Formerly 285.713; 2003 c.773 §34; repealed by 2005 c.835 §37]

 

      285B.434 [Formerly 285.715; 2001 c.883 §30c; repealed by 2005 c.835 §37]

 

      285B.437 Contract with municipality; required provisions; repayment. (1) If the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority approves assistance from the Special Public Works Fund for a project, the authority, on behalf of the state, and the municipality may enter into a contract to implement the assistance. The contract shall include:

      (a) A provision that the liability of the state under the contract is contingent upon the availability of moneys in the Special Public Works Fund for use in the project;

      (b) If any portion of the assistance is in the form of a loan or the purchase of a bond of a municipality, a provision granting the authority a lien on or a security interest in the collateral as determined by the authority to be necessary to secure repayment of the loan or bond; and

      (c) Other provisions as the authority considers necessary or appropriate to implement the assistance.

      (2) When the authority approves financial assistance under ORS 285B.410 to 285B.482 for a project, the authority shall pay moneys for the project from the Special Public Works Fund in accordance with the terms of the contract.

      (3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or any restriction on indebtedness contained in a charter, a municipality may borrow from the Special Public Works Fund by entering into a contract with the authority. The contract may be repaid from:

      (a) The revenues of the project, including special assessment revenues;

      (b) Amounts withheld under ORS 285B.449 (1);

      (c) The general fund of the municipality; or

      (d) Any other source.

      (4) A loan contract authorized under subsection (3) of this section shall be authorized by an ordinance, order or resolution adopted by the governing body of the municipality. [Formerly 285.717; 2001 c.883 §30d; 2003 c.773 §35; 2005 c.835 §12; 2009 c.830 §99]

 

      285B.438 [2001 c.633 §4; 2003 c.773 §36; repealed by 2005 c.835 §37]

 

      285B.440 Primary use of moneys in fund; standards for awarding grants; limitations; rules. (1)(a) The moneys in the Special Public Works Fund shall be used primarily to provide loans to municipalities for projects as defined in ORS 285B.410 to 285B.482. The Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority may determine the level of grant or loan funding, if any, on a case-by-case basis.

      (b) If the authority approves funding, the authority shall determine a maximum amount of the loan based upon a reasonable and prudent expectation of the ability of the municipality to repay the loan.

      (c) The initial loan term may not exceed the usable life of the project or 30 years from the year of project completion, whichever is less. The term of a renegotiated loan may not exceed the remaining usable life of the project or 30 years, whichever is less.

      (d) Assistance from the fund for a marine facility project otherwise funded under ORS 777.267 shall be limited to a loan. The loan may not exceed the amount of the required local matching funds.

      (2) The Oregon Business Development Department shall by rule adopt standards for awarding grants from the Special Public Works Fund. The standards may include the award of grants as a financial incentive to accomplish the goals of the Special Public Works Fund, to address special circumstances of a project or to address the financial need of the applicant.

      (3) The authority may make grants to a municipality not to exceed $1 million per project or 85 percent of the allowable project costs, whichever is less. For purposes of this subsection, allowable project costs do not include capitalized interest, if any.

      (4) The authority may not expend more than one percent of the value of the Special Public Works Fund in any biennium for grants or direct assistance, if any, for planning projects and community development projects to municipalities.

      (5) Except as otherwise limited by this section, not more than 100 percent of the total cost of a project, including capitalized interest, shall be financed from the Special Public Works Fund. [Formerly 285.720; 2001 c.883 §31a; 2003 c.773 §37; 2005 c.835 §13; 2007 c.804 §33; 2009 c.830 §100; 2011 c.47 §1; 2017 c.398 §1]

 

      285B.443 [Formerly 285.723; 2001 c.883 §31; 2003 c.773 §38; repealed by 2005 c.835 §37]

 

      285B.446 [Formerly 285.725; 2003 c.773 §39; repealed by 2005 c.835 §37]

 

      285B.449 Effect of failure to comply or default. (1) If a municipality fails to comply with a contract entered into under ORS 285B.410 to 285B.482, the Oregon Business Development Department may seek appropriate legal remedies to secure any repayment due the Special Public Works Fund. If any municipality defaults on payments due to the Special Public Works Fund under ORS 285B.410 to 285B.482, the State of Oregon may withhold any amounts otherwise due to the municipality to apply to the indebtedness. The department may waive this right to withhold.

      (2) Moneys withheld under subsection (1) of this section shall be deposited in the Special Public Works Fund and shall be used to repay any account in the fund from which funds were expended to pay obligations upon which the municipality defaulted. [Formerly 285.727; 2009 c.830 §101]

 

      285B.452 [Formerly 285.730; 2001 c.883 §31b; 2003 c.773 §40; repealed by 2005 c.835 §37]

 

      285B.455 Special Public Works Fund; uses; administration of fund. (1) There is created the Special Public Works Fund, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Special Public Works Fund shall be credited to the fund. All moneys credited to the Special Public Works Fund are appropriated continuously to the Oregon Business Development Department for the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority for the purposes set forth in this section.

      (2) The fund shall consist of all moneys credited to the fund, including:

      (a) Moneys appropriated to the fund by the Legislative Assembly or transferred to the fund by the authority;

      (b) Earnings on the fund;

      (c) Repayment of financial assistance, including interest;

      (d) Moneys received from the federal government, other state agencies or local governments;

      (e) Bond proceeds as authorized under ORS 285B.410 to 285B.482 or other law; and

      (f) Moneys from any other source, including but not limited to grants and gifts.

      (3) Moneys in the Special Public Works Fund may be invested as provided by ORS 293.701 to 293.857 and the earnings from the investments shall be credited to the account in the Special Public Works Fund designated by the authority.

      (4) The authority shall administer the Special Public Works Fund.

      (5) The authority may establish other accounts within the Special Public Works Fund for the payment of project costs, reserves, debt service payments, credit enhancement, administrative costs and operation expenses or any other purpose necessary to carry out ORS 285B.410 to 285B.482.

      (6) The authority may directly or indirectly grant, expend or loan moneys in the fund or extend credit to:

      (a) Provide to municipalities any form of financial or other assistance that the authority considers appropriate to assist communities with a project, including the refinancing of temporary project financing.

      (b) Purchase goods or services related to a project on behalf of the municipality.

      (c) Provide state funds as a match for federal funds available for the administration of the Community Development Block Grant program.

      (d) Finance administrative costs of the authority pursuant to ORS 285B.410 to 285B.482.

      (e) Provide annual grants on behalf of a municipality in the form of partial repayment to bondholders of amounts owed.

      (f) Cover contracts that are issued to guaranty any portion of the obligation of a municipality to finance a development project and that are not sold to the State of Oregon. Guaranty contracts under this paragraph shall be payable solely from moneys in the Special Public Works Fund, and shall not constitute a debt or obligation of the State of Oregon. The authority may, on behalf of the state, establish a special account in the fund and commit to deposit into the account specified portions of existing and future allocations to the fund. The commitments shall be made by rule of the department and shall constitute covenants of the state for the benefit of the owners of obligations guaranteed by the state pursuant to this section.

      (7) As used in this section, “administrative costs” includes the authority’s direct and indirect costs for investigating and processing an application, developing a contract, monitoring the use of funds by a municipality, investigating and resolving budget discrepancies, closing a project and providing financial or other assistance to a municipality. [Formerly 285.733; 2001 c.633 §5; 2001 c.883 §32; 2003 c.773 §41; 2003 c.800 §24; 2005 c.835 §4; 2007 c.783 §102a; 2007 c.804 §34; 2009 c.830 §102]

 

      Note: Section 32, chapter 773, Oregon Laws 2003, provides:

      Sec. 32. On and after the effective date of this 2009 Act [July 28, 2009], all repayments of financial assistance provided from the Community Facilities Account shall be credited to the accounts within the Special Public Works Fund designated by the administrator of the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority. [2003 c.773 §32; 2009 c.830 §97]

 

      285B.456 Levee Project Subaccount. (1) The Levee Project Subaccount is established in the Special Public Works Fund established under ORS 285B.455. Interest earned by the Levee Project Subaccount shall be credited to the subaccount. Moneys in the subaccount are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for the purpose of providing financial assistance under ORS 285B.410 to 285B.482 for levee projects, as defined in ORS 285B.410.

      (2) The department may accept grants, donations, contributions or gifts from any source for deposit in the Levee Project Subaccount. [2015 c.812 §1b]

 

      Note: 285B.456 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 285B or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      285B.458 Grants for assistance to distressed or rural areas; minimum. Not less than 60 percent of the grants awarded from the Special Public Works Fund in any biennium shall be used to provide assistance to distressed or rural areas. [Formerly 285.735; 2001 c.883 §32a; 2003 c.773 §42; 2005 c.835 §14]

 

      285B.460 Funding and assistance for planning projects. (1) The Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority may provide financial or other assistance to a municipality for a planning project.

      (2) The planning project may be a stand-alone project.

      (3) The planning project may include an environmental action on a brownfield. For purposes of this subsection:

      (a) “Brownfield” has the meaning given that term in ORS 285A.185.

      (b) “Environmental action” has the meaning given that term in ORS 285A.188. [2005 c.835 §8; 2009 c.11 §34; 2009 c.830 §103]

 

      285B.461 [Formerly 285.737; 2001 c.883 §33; 2003 c.773 §43; repealed by 2005 c.835 §37]

 

      285B.462 Funding and assistance for emergency projects. (1) The Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority may provide financial or other assistance to a municipality for an emergency project. Emergency project grants include grants for essential community facilities, as defined by the Oregon Business Development Department by rule after consultation with the League of Oregon Cities, the Association of Oregon Counties, the Oregon Ports Representation Group and the Special Districts Association of Oregon.

      (2) The authority may award grant funding to an emergency project only if federal disaster relief assistance has been committed for the emergency project.

      (3) Assistance from the Special Public Works Fund for an emergency project may not exceed the total local matching funds requirement for the federal disaster relief assistance committed to the project. [2005 c.835 §9; 2009 c.11 §35; 2009 c.830 §104; 2017 c.398 §2]

 

      285B.464 [Formerly 285.753; 2003 c.773 §44; repealed by 2005 c.835 §37]

 

      285B.465 Allowable costs of projects. For purposes of ORS 285B.410 to 285B.482, the allowable costs of a project include:

      (1) Financing costs, including capitalized interest;

      (2) Direct project management costs;

      (3) Costs of consultant services and expenses;

      (4) Construction costs and expenses;

      (5) Costs of property acquisition, including any easement or right of way directly related to and necessary for the project;

      (6) Costs of acquiring off-site property for purposes directly related to the project, such as wetland mitigation; and

      (7) Other costs that the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority determines to be necessary or useful. [2005 c.835 §10; 2009 c.830 §105]

 

(Revenue Bond Financing)

 

      285B.467 Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority to determine eligibility for revenue bond financing; rules; request for issuance; allowable costs. (1) The Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority shall determine eligibility for revenue bond financing under ORS 285B.467 to 285B.479 of development projects that have qualified under ORS 285B.419 to 285B.437 and 285B.449 pursuant to rules adopted by the Oregon Business Development Department.

      (2) After a determination is made that a development project is eligible for revenue bond financing under ORS 285B.467 to 285B.479, the department shall forward a request for the issuance of revenue bonds to the State Treasurer, who shall determine whether to issue revenue bonds.

      (3) When a project is determined to be eligible for revenue bond financing under ORS 285B.467 to 285B.479, allowable costs as described in ORS 285B.465 may be paid from bond proceeds.

      (4) Administrative expenses of the authority in processing applications and investigating proposed projects and bond sales may not be derived from bond proceeds.

      (5) The authority may pledge all or any portion of the existing or future assets and receipts of the Special Public Works Fund to pay debt service on bonds issued pursuant to ORS 285B.410 to 285B.482. The pledge shall take effect immediately, without delivery of the pledged funds to third parties, and the lien of the pledge shall be superior to all other liens of any nature.

      (6) The authority is authorized to establish separate accounts within the fund for separate bond issues. [Formerly 285.740; 2001 c.883 §34; 2003 c.773 §45; 2005 c.835 §15; 2009 c.830 §106]

 

      285B.470 Powers of authority. The Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority may:

      (1) Make all contracts, execute all instruments and do all things necessary or convenient in the exercise of the powers granted by this section, or in the performance of its covenants or duties, or in order to secure the payment of its bonds;

      (2) Enter into and perform contracts and agreements with municipalities as the authority may consider proper and feasible for or concerning the planning, construction, installation, lease or other acquisition, and the financing of projects; and

      (3) Enter into covenants for the benefit of bond owners regarding the use and expenditure of moneys in the Special Public Works Fund. [Formerly 285.743; 2003 c.773 §46; 2005 c.835 §16; 2007 c.783 §103; 2009 c.830 §107]

 

      285B.473 Issuance of revenue bonds. (1) At the request of the Oregon Business Development Department, the State Treasurer may issue under ORS 285B.467 to 285B.479 and ORS chapter 286A revenue bonds secured by moneys paid to the Special Public Works Fund pledged therefor to finance or refinance in whole or part the cost of acquisition, construction, reconstruction, improvement or extension of development projects. Refunding bonds may be issued to refinance the revenue bonds.

      (2) The department or the State Treasurer may appoint bond counsel as prescribed in ORS 286A.130. [Formerly 285.745; 2001 c.536 §2; 2003 c.773 §47; 2003 c.794 §241; 2005 c.835 §17; 2007 c.783 §104; 2009 c.830 §108]

 

      285B.476 Application of law to revenue bonds; proceeds; maximum duration of loans. (1) ORS 285B.350 to 285B.362 and 285B.368 apply to revenue bonds issued under ORS 285B.467 to 285B.479.

      (2) The proceeds of revenue bonds issued and sold under ORS 285B.467 to 285B.479 shall be deposited in the Special Public Works Fund and used for the payment of a loan to a municipality for a development project and costs of issuing the revenue bonds.

      (3) A loan made with money derived from the sale of revenue bonds under this section shall be made as other loans under ORS 285B.419 to 285B.437 and 285B.449 are made, except that the loan contract shall set forth a schedule of payments that may not exceed the usable life of the contracted project. [Formerly 285.747; 2003 c.773 §48; 2005 c.835 §18]

 

      285B.479 Nature of revenue bonds. (1) Revenue bonds issued under ORS 285B.467 to 285B.479:

      (a) May not be payable from nor charged upon any funds other than the revenue pledged to the payment thereof, except as provided in this section, nor shall the state be subject to any liability thereon. No holder or holders of such bonds shall ever have the right to compel any exercise of the taxing power of the state to pay any such bonds or the interest thereon, nor to enforce payment thereof against any property of the state except those moneys pledged therefor in the Special Public Works Fund, under the provisions of ORS 285B.467 to 285B.479.

      (b) May not constitute a charge, lien or encumbrance, legal or equitable, upon any property of the state, except those moneys paid to the Special Public Works Fund.

      (2) A revenue bond issued under ORS 285B.467 to 285B.479 does not constitute a debt of the State of Oregon or a lending of the credit of this state within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory limitation. [Formerly 285.750; 2001 c.883 §35; 2007 c.783 §105]

 

      285B.482 Revenue bonds as parity bonds; consolidation of bond proceeds; loans and consolidated funds as security for water or development projects. (1) Notwithstanding any other law relating to revenue bonds issued and sold under ORS 285B.467 to 285B.479 or ORS 285B.572, 285B.575 and 285B.578, revenue bonds may be issued and sold as parity bonds.

      (2) Proceeds of revenue bonds issued and sold under ORS 285B.467 to 285B.479 or ORS 285B.572, 285B.575 and 285B.578, together with the investment earnings thereon, may be consolidated into one or more funds or accounts and may be pledged to the holders of revenue bonds issued to finance water projects, as defined in ORS 285B.560, or development projects.

      (3) Any loan to a municipality made pursuant to ORS 285B.467 to 285B.479, 285B.560 to 285B.569 or 285B.572 to 285B.599, including loans funded in whole or in part with the proceeds of revenue bonds and loans funded with moneys in the Water Fund or the Special Public Works Fund, may be pledged to the holders of revenue bonds issued to finance water projects or development projects.

      (4) Funds or accounts established by the Oregon Business Development Department or the State Treasurer in connection with the issuance of revenue bonds under ORS 285B.467 to 285B.479 or ORS 285B.572, 285B.575 and 285B.578 and moneys held in the funds and accounts, together with the investment earnings thereon, may be consolidated into one or more funds or accounts and may be pledged to the holders of revenue bonds issued to finance water projects or development projects. [1997 c.800 §14; 2003 c.773 §49; 2005 c.835 §19; 2007 c.804 §35; 2009 c.830 §109]

 

(Temporary provisions relating to Tide Gate Grant and Loan Fund)

 

      Note: Sections 21 to 23, chapter 10, Oregon Laws 2020 (second special session), provide:

      Sec. 21. (1) The Tide Gate Grant and Loan Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Tide Gate Grant and Loan Fund must be credited to the fund.

      (2) The fund consists of:

      (a) Moneys allocated to the Oregon Business Development Department under section 3 (4), chapter 670, Oregon Laws 2019;

      (b) Moneys appropriated, allocated, deposited or transferred to the fund by the Legislative Assembly or otherwise;

      (c) Repayments, including interest, of disbursements from the fund;

      (d) Moneys received for deposit in the fund from the federal government, state agencies or local governments; and

      (e) Interest earned on moneys in the fund.

      (3) The moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the department for the purposes specified in section 22 of this 2020 second special session Act. [2020 s.s.2 c.10 §21]

      Sec. 22. (1) The Oregon Business Development Department may directly or indirectly grant, expend or lend moneys from the Tide Gate Grant and Loan Fund established under section 21 of this 2020 second special session Act to:

      (a) Provide grants or loans to plan or construct tide gates, culverts and associated drainage infrastructure;

      (b) Obtain professional services for tide gate coordination or for technical studies that have a statewide benefit for tide gate project development; or

      (c) Pay administrative expenses of the department incurred in carrying out the provisions of this section, including costs of investigating and processing an application, developing contracts, monitoring use of grants or loans by a recipient, investigating and resolving budget discrepancies, closing a project and providing financial and other assistance associated with expenditures from the fund.

      (2) The department shall adopt rules necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. [2020 s.s.2 c.10 §22]

      Sec. 22a. The Tide Gate Grant and Loan Fund established under section 21, chapter 10, Oregon Laws 2020 (second special session), is abolished on June 30, 2024. Any moneys remaining in the fund on that date shall be transferred to the Administrative Services Economic Development Fund established under ORS 461.540. [2020 s.s.2 c.10 §22a; 2023 c.602 §36]

      Sec. 23. Sections 21 and 22, chapter 10, Oregon Laws 2020 (second special session), are repealed on June 30, 2024. [2020 s.s.2 c.10 §23; 2023 c.602 §37]

 

      285B.486 [2001 c.957 §10; renumbered 285C.530 in 2003]

 

      285B.488 [2001 c.957 §11; renumbered 285C.533 in 2003]

 

INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS FOR SOUTHERN OREGON

 

      285B.500 Purpose of ORS 285B.500 to 285B.512; legislative findings. (1) The Legislative Assembly finds that:

      (a) It is a matter of statewide importance to increase the infrastructure capacity of Coos, Jackson and Josephine Counties and the rest of southern Oregon.

      (b) The absence of such infrastructure capacity, the lack of inexpensive industrial fuel and inadequate transportation facilities restrict national and international trade and otherwise hinder the economic development of the region.

      (c) State financial assistance to specified local projects in southern Oregon will sustain and increase jobs, foster national and international trade, allow industrial and commercial expansion and eliminate other negative effects caused by infrastructure that is inadequate to support a vibrant and expanding economy.

      (d) It is desirable to make a present commitment of lottery revenues that are expected to be received in the 1999-2001 and 2001-2003 biennia. A clear and prompt financial commitment from the State of Oregon will allow the project sponsors, in reliance on that commitment, to make prompt commitments to pay their share. Prompt commitment by the project sponsors will enhance the likelihood that other private or federal funds will be received for the projects.

      (2) The Legislative Assembly declares that the purpose of ORS 285B.500 to 285B.512 and section 9, chapter 644, Oregon Laws 1997, is to obligate the State of Oregon to pay the amounts specified in ORS 285B.500 to 285B.512 and section 9, chapter 644, Oregon Laws 1997, from future lottery revenues. The obligation of the state to pay the amounts specified in section 9, chapter 644, Oregon Laws, 1997, and in grant agreements authorized by ORS 285B.506 is limited to, and conditioned solely on, the availability of unobligated net lottery proceeds and any other moneys lawfully credited to the Oregon Unified International Trade Fund. Neither the faith and credit nor any of the taxing power of the State of Oregon are pledged or otherwise committed by ORS 285B.500 to 285B.515 and 777.277 to 777.287 and section 9, chapter 644, Oregon Laws 1997, and the commitments of the State of Oregon under ORS 285B.500 to 285B.515 and 777.277 to 777.287 and section 9, chapter 644, Oregon Laws 1997, and any grant agreement shall not constitute a debt or liability of the state within the meaning of section 7, Article XI of the Oregon Constitution. [1997 c.644 §7]

 

      Note: 285B.500 to 285B.515 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 285B by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      285B.503 Oregon Unified International Trade Fund; uses. (1) There is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund, the Oregon Unified International Trade Fund. Interest earned by the Oregon Unified International Trade Fund shall be credited to the fund. The moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority for:

      (a) Paying all or a portion of the costs of:

      (A) A project for the extension and improvement of Jackson County Airport runway.

      (B) A project for the extension of a natural gas pipeline to the Coos Bay and North Bend area from a location near Roseburg.

      (C) A project for improvements to the Klamath Falls International Airport maintained by the City of Klamath Falls.

      (b) Transfer to the Oregon Port Revolving Fund created by ORS 285A.708.

      (2) A separate account within the Oregon Unified International Trade Fund shall be established for each project listed in subsection (1) of this section.

      (3) The Oregon Unified International Trade Fund shall consist of moneys allocated to the fund under section 9, chapter 644, Oregon Laws 1997, and such other moneys as may be appropriated to the fund by the Legislative Assembly, including interest on such moneys. [1997 c.644 §8; 2009 c.830 §110]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.500.

 

      285B.506 Grant agreements; maximum grant amount; required provisions; assignment of right to receive grant moneys; agreement not to constitute state debt or liability. (1) The administrator of the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority shall enter into a grant agreement with the primary sponsor of a project listed in ORS 285B.503 that commits the State of Oregon to make the deposits specified in section 9, chapter 644, Oregon Laws 1997, and commits the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority to pay those deposits, plus earnings, to the primary sponsor as soon as funds are available in the appropriate account of the Oregon Unified International Trade Fund and are required by the primary sponsor for payment of project costs. Notwithstanding any other law, the commitment of the State of Oregon and the authority under this section shall be conditioned solely on receipt by this state of unobligated net lottery proceeds sufficient to make the deposits specified in section 9, chapter 644, Oregon Laws 1997.

      (2) The total amount paid to the primary sponsor under the grant agreement shall not exceed the amount deposited in the appropriate account for the sponsor’s project in the Oregon Unified International Trade Fund, plus any interest earnings on the amounts in the account. The grant agreement shall:

      (a) Pledge the unobligated net lottery proceeds to pay the amounts due to the primary sponsor under the grant agreement;

      (b) Specify the administrative procedures for making payments to the primary sponsor;

      (c) Provide for notification to the administrator if the primary sponsor determines that it is unable to undertake the project;

      (d) Allow assignment of the right to receive amounts payable under the grant agreement to third parties;

      (e) Obligate the primary sponsor to remit any unexpended grant funds and any earnings thereon to the State of Oregon after the sponsor’s project is complete and all its costs have been paid; and

      (f) Contain other terms and conditions that are necessary or appropriate, as determined by the administrator, to implement ORS 285B.500 to 285B.512 and section 9, chapter 644, Oregon Laws 1997, to protect the interests and investments of the State of Oregon in the projects specified in ORS 285B.503.

      (3) The grant agreement, when executed by the administrator and accepted by the primary sponsor, shall be a valid, binding and irrevocable contractual obligation of the State of Oregon in accordance with its terms. However, amounts due under the grant agreement shall be payable solely from the unobligated net lottery proceeds required by section 9, chapter 644, Oregon Laws 1997, to be deposited in the appropriate account in the Oregon Unified International Trade Fund.

      (4) The primary sponsor may pledge or assign its right to receive amounts due under the grant agreement as security for any contractual obligation the primary sponsor undertakes to pay or finance costs of the project. Any pledge or assignment authorized by ORS 285B.500 to 285B.515 and 777.277 to 777.287 and section 9, chapter 644, Oregon Laws 1997, shall be valid and binding upon the primary sponsor, the authority, the State of Oregon and all other persons from the date it is made. The unobligated net lottery proceeds so pledged shall be immediately subject to the lien of the pledge without physical delivery, filing or other act, and the lien of the pledge shall be superior to all other claims and liens of any kind whatsoever. Upon notice from the primary sponsor that it has pledged the unobligated net lottery proceeds or assigned the right to receive amounts due under the grant agreement, the authority shall fully cooperate with the primary sponsor and the pledgee or assignee to give effect to the pledge or assignment, including but not limited to acknowledging in writing to the primary sponsor and the pledgee or assignee the existence and validity of the pledge or assignment and agreeing that amounts due under the grant agreement shall be paid to the pledgee or assignee or into the custodial accounts established for the benefit of the pledgee or assignee.

      (5) The grant agreement shall not contain provisions or be construed or enforced in any manner that may cause the grant agreement to constitute a debt or liability of the state that violates section 7, Article XI of the Oregon Constitution. [1997 c.644 §10; 2009 c.830 §111]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.500.

 

      285B.509 Agreements between primary sponsor and United States. The primary sponsors of projects listed in ORS 285B.503 are authorized to enter into agreements with agencies of the United States for the project and, notwithstanding any other provision of law, may each agree to be bound by any requirement imposed by an Act of the United States Congress as a condition of federal participation in the project. [1997 c.644 §11]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.500.

 

      285B.512 End of lottery allocations upon certification by administrator of authority. (1) The deposit of unobligated net lottery proceeds to an account in the Oregon Unified International Trade Fund shall cease if and when the administrator of the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority certifies in writing that deposits are no longer required because:

      (a) Sufficient funds are on hand in the account to pay all amounts required to be paid under the grant agreement;

      (b) All amounts required to be paid under the grant agreement have been paid; or

      (c) The primary sponsor has notified the administrator pursuant to the grant agreement that the primary sponsor is unable to undertake the project.

      (2) Upon receipt of the administrator’s written certification pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the State Treasurer shall thereafter credit any amounts remaining in the account that are not required to pay amounts due under the grant agreement, and any lottery revenues that otherwise would have been deposited in the account under section 9, chapter 644, Oregon Laws 1997, to the Administrative Services Economic Development Fund. In addition, any unexpended grant funds and earnings which are remitted to the State of Oregon pursuant to the grant agreement shall be credited to the Administrative Services Economic Development Fund. [1997 c.644 §12; 2009 c.830 §112]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.500.

 

      285B.515 “Primary sponsor” and “project sponsor” defined. As used in ORS 285B.500 to 285B.512 and section 9, chapter 644, Oregon Laws 1997, “primary sponsor” or “project sponsor” means a city, county, agency or person who acts as a financial contributor to a project listed in ORS 285B.503, as determined by the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority in a grant agreement under ORS 285B.506. [1997 c.644 §13; 2009 c.830 §113]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.500.

 

LOTTERY BONDS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

 

      285B.530 Definitions for ORS 285B.530 to 285B.548. As used in ORS 285B.530 to 285B.548, unless the context requires otherwise:

      (1) “Infrastructure lottery bonds” means the bonds authorized to be issued under ORS 285B.533 for the purpose of financing infrastructure projects.

      (2) “Infrastructure projects” includes:

      (a) A water project defined in ORS 285B.560; and

      (b) Payment of any state financial obligations to the federal government under the Safe Drinking Water Act. [1997 c.800 §16; 1999 c.44 §24]

 

      Note: 285B.530 to 285B.548 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 285B by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      285B.533 Issuance of infrastructure lottery bonds; amount; use of bond proceeds. (1) Infrastructure lottery bonds shall be issued under ORS 286A.560 to 286A.585 only at the request of the Director of the Oregon Business Development Department. Infrastructure lottery bonds may be issued in an amount sufficient to provide no more than $6 million of net proceeds to pay costs of infrastructure projects, plus the amounts required to pay bond-related costs.

      (2) The net proceeds from the sale of the infrastructure lottery bonds shall be allocated to the Oregon Business Development Department for the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority for the State of Oregon’s match of federal moneys under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

      (3) The net proceeds from the sale of the infrastructure lottery bonds that are available to pay costs of infrastructure projects shall be credited to the Water Fund created by ORS 285B.563. All such net proceeds are appropriated continuously to the Oregon Business Development Department for the authority only for payment of costs of infrastructure projects described in subsection (2) of this section and for payment of bond-related costs that are allocable to infrastructure lottery bonds.

      (4) The authority and any municipality receiving proceeds of infrastructure lottery bonds shall, if so directed by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services, take any action specified by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services that is necessary to maintain the excludability of lottery bond interest from gross income under the United States Internal Revenue Code. [1997 c.800 §17; 1999 c.44 §25; 2007 c.783 §105a; 2009 c.830 §114]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.530.

 

      285B.536 [1997 c.800 §18; repealed by 1999 c.44 §29]

 

      285B.539 [1997 c.800 §19; repealed by 1999 c.44 §29]

 

      285B.542 [1997 c.800 §20; repealed by 1999 c.44 §29]

 

      285B.545 [1997 c.800 §21; repealed by 1999 c.44 §29]

 

      285B.548 Amount of infrastructure lottery bonds. Infrastructure lottery bonds may not be issued in excess of the amounts permitted by ORS 286A.035. [1997 c.800 §22; 2007 c.783 §106]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.530.

 

      285B.551 Issuance of additional lottery bonds; uses; maximum amounts; Economic Infrastructure Project Fund. (1) Pursuant to ORS 286A.560 to 286A.585, at the request of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services, after the department consults with the Oregon Business Development Department, the State Treasurer is authorized to issue lottery bonds:

      (a) To provide financial and other assistance, including but not limited to loans and grants, to municipalities, ports and other persons and entities in accordance with the laws governing use of moneys in the Special Public Works Fund created by ORS 285B.455, the Water Fund created by ORS 285B.563, the Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund created by ORS 285A.213, the Oregon Port Revolving Fund created by ORS 285A.708, the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund created by ORS 285A.188, the Oregon Business Development Fund created by ORS 285B.092 and the Marine Navigation Improvement Fund created by ORS 777.267.

      (b) To fund Oregon’s share of the costs of the Columbia River channel deepening project.

      (c) To fund Oregon’s share of the costs of studies and ecosystem restoration projects in the lower Columbia River estuary designed to improve habitat for listed endangered or threatened species of Columbia River anadromous salmonids.

      (2) The use of lottery bond proceeds is authorized based on the following findings:

      (a) The financial and other assistance to municipalities, ports and other persons and entities will assist in the establishment and expansion of businesses in Oregon and in the construction, improvement and expansion of infrastructure, community and port facilities and other facilities that comprise the physical foundation for industrial and commercial activity and provide the basic framework for continued and expanded economic opportunities and quality communities throughout Oregon.

      (b) The Columbia River channel deepening project is necessary to allow newer, larger steamships access to Oregon and Washington deep draft ports. A deeper shipping channel will allow the Columbia River to continue as a world leader in agricultural exports and as a key trade corridor for farms and businesses throughout Oregon and the region.

      (c) Such financial and other assistance to municipalities, ports and other persons and entities and the deepening of the Columbia River channel will therefore promote economic development within this state, and thus the use of net proceeds derived from the operation of the Oregon State Lottery to pay debt service on lottery bonds issued under this section to provide such financial and other assistance to municipalities, ports and other persons and entities and to pay a portion of the costs of deepening the Columbia River channel is an authorized use of state lottery funds under section 4, Article XV of the Oregon Constitution, and ORS 461.510.

      (d) The current lower Columbia River estuary habitat for listed endangered or threatened species of Columbia River anadromous salmonids could be improved through ecosystem restoration projects. The use of the Oregon State Lottery to pay debt service on lottery bonds issued under this section to pay for studying how the estuary could be improved and to pay for ecosystem restoration projects are authorized uses of state lottery funds.

      (3)(a) The aggregate principal amount of lottery bonds issued pursuant to subsection (1)(a) of this section for financial and other assistance to municipalities, ports and other persons and entities may not exceed the sum of $416,226,252 and an additional amount estimated by the State Treasurer to be necessary to pay bond-related costs. The aggregate principal amount of lottery bonds issued pursuant to subsection (1)(b) of this section for the Columbia River channel deepening project may not exceed the sum of $17.7 million and an additional amount estimated by the State Treasurer to be necessary to pay bond-related costs.

      (b) The Oregon Department of Administrative Services may not request the issuance of lottery bonds under subsection (1)(b) of this section until the Director of the Oregon Business Development Department determines that a final environmental impact statement has been issued and a record of decisions has been submitted to Congress by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Congress has authorized the Columbia River channel deepening project, and the Washington sponsors’ shares of the costs of the Columbia River channel deepening project have been committed.

      (4) The net proceeds of lottery bonds issued pursuant to subsection (1)(a) and (b) of this section shall be deposited in the Economic Infrastructure Project Fund, which is hereby established in the State Treasury separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Economic Infrastructure Project Fund shall be credited to the fund. All moneys in the Economic Infrastructure Project Fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for any purpose for which moneys in the Special Public Works Fund created by ORS 285B.455 may be used, any purpose for which moneys in the Water Fund created by ORS 285B.563 may be used, any purpose for which moneys in the Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund created by ORS 285A.213 may be used, any purpose for which moneys in the Oregon Port Revolving Fund created by ORS 285A.708 may be used, any purpose for which moneys in the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund created by ORS 285A.188 may be used, any purpose for which moneys in the Oregon Business Development Fund created by ORS 285B.092 may be used and any purpose for which moneys in the Marine Navigation Improvement Fund created by ORS 777.267 may be used. The Director of the Oregon Business Development Department shall allocate the moneys deposited in the Economic Infrastructure Project Fund for the purposes described in this subsection in accordance with the priorities developed by the Oregon Business Development Commission in accordance with ORS 285A.020. However, the director shall transfer from the Economic Infrastructure Project Fund and deposit into the Channel Deepening Account of the Marine Navigation Improvement Fund the proceeds of any lottery bonds sold to finance a portion of the costs of the Columbia River channel deepening project. Upon determining the relative allocation of moneys deposited in the Economic Infrastructure Project Fund among the purposes described in this subsection, the director shall transfer from the Economic Infrastructure Project Fund, and deposit into each of the other funds described in this subsection, the amounts so allocated. Notwithstanding any other provision of law governing the funds described in this subsection, the funds described in this subsection may be credited with moneys transferred from the Economic Infrastructure Project Fund by the director in accordance with this subsection.

      (5) The aggregate principal amount of lottery bonds issued pursuant to subsection (1)(c) of this section for the costs of studies and ecosystem restoration projects in the lower Columbia River estuary may not exceed the sum of $750,000 and an additional amount estimated by the State Treasurer to be necessary to pay bond-related costs. The net proceeds of lottery bonds issued pursuant to subsection (1)(c) of this section shall be deposited in the Oregon Business, Innovation and Trade Fund created by ORS 285A.227 and may be used only for the Oregon nonfederal share of United States Army Corps of Engineers Columbia River estuary projects authorized by Congress prior to August 9, 2001. The director may not request the issuance of lottery bonds under subsection (1)(c) of this section until Congress and Washington have authorized their respective shares of the costs of the studies and ecosystem restoration projects in the lower Columbia River estuary.

      (6) The proceeds of lottery bonds issued pursuant to this section may be used only for the purposes set forth in this section and for bond-related costs. [1999 c.702 §1; 2001 c.96 §6; 2001 c.942 §1; 2003 c.741 §4; 2005 c.788 §1; 2007 c.746 §1; 2007 c.804 §78; 2009 c.830 §115; 2009 c.906 §1a; 2011 c.624 §1; 2013 c.786 §1; 2015 c.812 §1; 2017 c.748 §1; 2019 c.671 §1; 2021 c.682 §1; 2023 c.599 §1]

 

      Note: 285B.551 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 285B or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

(Temporary provisions relating to issuance of lottery bonds for miscellaneous projects)

 

      Note: Section 3, chapter 786, Oregon Laws 2013, provides:

      Sec. 3. Regional Infrastructure Fund. (1) The Regional Infrastructure Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned on the moneys in the Regional Infrastructure Fund shall be credited to the fund. The Regional Infrastructure Fund consists of moneys deposited in the fund under section 2, chapter 786, Oregon Laws 2013, section 2, chapter 812, Oregon Laws 2015, and section 3, chapter 748, Oregon Laws 2017, and may include fees, revenues or other income deposited into the fund by the Legislative Assembly.

      (2) Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for disbursement to local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes located in this state for the purposes set forth in section 2, chapter 786, Oregon Laws 2013, section 2, chapter 812, Oregon Laws 2015, and section 3, chapter 748, Oregon Laws 2017. [2013 c.786 §3; 2015 c.812 §3; 2017 c.748 §4; 2019 c.281 §1]

 

      Note: Section 4, chapter 812, Oregon Laws 2015, provides:

      Sec. 4. Rules. (1) The Director of the Oregon Business Development Department, in accordance with ORS chapter 183, shall adopt rules necessary to administer programs or projects financed with moneys obtained pursuant to section 3, chapter 786, Oregon Laws 2013, and section 2 of this 2015 Act. The rules shall address procedures for authorizing infrastructure planning and research efforts, developing and evaluating grant and loan applications, awarding grants and loans from the Regional Infrastructure Fund and administering a grant and loan review committee, and may include other provisions the director determines necessary or convenient for the Oregon Business Development Department to perform its duties and responsibilities under section 3, chapter 786, Oregon Laws 2013, and section 2 of this 2015 Act.

      (2) The rules must be developed in consultation with the Director of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services or the director’s designee. [2015 c.812 §4]

 

      Note: Section 6, chapter 786, Oregon Laws 2013, provides:

      Sec. 6. Cultural Resources Economic Fund. (1) The Cultural Resources Economic Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned on the moneys in the Cultural Resources Economic Fund shall be credited to the fund. The Cultural Resources Economic Fund consists of moneys deposited in the fund under section 5, chapter 786, Oregon Laws 2013, section 26, chapter 812, Oregon Laws 2015, section 22, chapter 748, Oregon Laws 2017, section 44, chapter 682, Oregon Laws 2021, and section 38 of this 2023 Act, and may include fees, revenues or other income deposited in the fund by the Legislative Assembly.

      (2) Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for disbursement for the purposes set forth in section 5, chapter 786, Oregon Laws 2013, section 26, chapter 812, Oregon Laws 2015, section 22, chapter 748, Oregon Laws 2017, section 44, chapter 682, Oregon Laws 2021, and section 38 of this 2023 Act. [2013 c.786 §6; 2015 c.812 §27; 2017 c.748 §23; 2019 c.671 §36; 2021 c.682 §45; 2023 c.599 §41]

 

      Note: Section 7a, chapter 66, Oregon Laws 2016, provides:

      Sec. 7a. American Manufacturing Innovation District Fund. (1) The American Manufacturing Innovation District Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the American Manufacturing Innovation District Fund shall be credited to the fund. The fund consists of moneys deposited in the fund under section 7 of this 2016 Act and may include fees, revenues or other income deposited into the fund by the Legislative Assembly.

      (2) Moneys in the American Manufacturing Innovation District Fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for the purpose described in section 7 of this 2016 Act. [2016 c.66 §7a]

 

      Note: Section 28, chapter 748, Oregon Laws 2017, provides:

      Sec. 28. OBDD Economic Development Distributions Fund. (1) The OBDD Economic Development Distributions Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned on the moneys in the OBDD Economic Development Distributions Fund must be credited to the fund. The OBDD Economic Development Distributions Fund consists of moneys deposited in the fund under sections 26 and 27, chapter 748, Oregon Laws 2017, and sections 21, 22, 23, 35 and 36 of this 2023 Act, and may include fees, revenues or other income deposited into the fund by the Legislative Assembly.

      (2) Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for purposes described in sections 26 and 27, chapter 748, Oregon Laws 2017, and sections 21, 22, 23, 35 and 36 of this 2023 Act. [2017 c.748 §28; 2019 c.671 §32; 2020 s.s.2 c.5 §13; 2021 c.682 §53; 2023 c.599 §39]

 

SAFE DRINKING WATER PROJECTS

 

(Generally)

 

      285B.560 Definitions for ORS 285B.560 to 285B.599. As used in ORS 285B.560 to 285B.599:

      (1) “Direct project management costs” means new expenses incurred by a municipality solely to support, plan for and manage an infrastructure project, funded in whole or in part through financial assistance under ORS 285B.560 to 285B.599, during the planning and construction phases of the project.

      (2) “Fund” means the Water Fund.

      (3) “Municipality” has the meaning given that term in ORS 285B.410.

      (4) “Safe drinking water project” means a project for constructing or improving a drinking water system or a water development project, as defined in ORS 541.700 (6)(a), (b) and (d) to (f), that is owned and operated by a municipality.

      (5) “Waste water system improvement project” means a project for constructing or improving a system for waste water collection or treatment, including storm drainage systems.

      (6) “Water project” means a safe drinking water project or a waste water system improvement project. [Formerly 285.755; 2001 c.883 §36; 2009 c.830 §121]

 

      285B.563 Water Fund; uses; conditions for making loan; grant awards; investment of fund moneys; rules and policies. (1) There is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund, the Water Fund. Interest earned by the Water Fund shall be credited to the fund. All moneys in the Water Fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority for the purposes described in ORS 285B.560 to 285B.599, including the direct project management costs.

      (2)(a) Moneys in the Water Fund may be obligated to water projects.

      (b) Moneys shall be used primarily to make loans to municipalities. The authority may make a loan only if:

      (A) The municipality applying for the loan certifies to the department that adequate funds will be available to repay the loan; and

      (B) The authority determines that the amount of the loan applied for is based on a reasonable and prudent expectation of the municipality’s ability to repay the loan.

      (c) The authority may award a grant if a loan is not feasible due to:

      (A) Financial hardship to the municipality, as determined by the authority, based on consideration of anticipated water service charges or anticipated waste water service charges, the per capita income of the municipality and any other factors as the department by rule may establish; and

      (B) Special circumstances of the water project.

      (d) The authority may also award grants from the fund to:

      (A) Identify and implement sustainable technologies and practices;

      (B) Build asset management capacity for municipalities;

      (C) Plan for strategic initiatives that focus on the regionalization of water systems; or

      (D) Provide third party technical assistance to communities in the development of water systems that include asset management components.

      (e) The authority may determine the amount of grant or loan funding on a case-by-case basis.

      (3) The moneys in the fund may also be used to assist the authority in selling revenue bonds on behalf of municipalities in order to carry out the purposes of ORS 285B.560 to 285B.599.

      (4) Moneys in the Water Fund may be invested as provided by ORS 293.701 to 293.857. The earnings from the investments and other program income shall be credited to the Water Fund.

      (5) The Water Fund shall consist of:

      (a) Moneys appropriated to the fund by the Legislative Assembly.

      (b) Moneys transferred to the fund by the authority from the Special Public Works Fund created by ORS 285B.455.

      (c) Moneys transferred to the Water Fund by the Water Resources Commission from the Water Development Fund created by Article XI-I(1) of the Oregon Constitution.

      (d) Moneys from any federal, state or other grants.

      (e) Proceeds of revenue bonds issued under ORS 285B.575.

      (f) Earnings on the Water Fund.

      (6) The authority shall administer the fund.

      (7) The department shall adopt rules and policies for the administration of the fund. The department shall coordinate its rulemaking regarding safe drinking water projects with the Water Resources Department and the Oregon Health Authority. The rules adopted under this subsection for safe drinking water projects shall:

      (a) Require the installation of meters on all new active service connections from any distribution lines funded with moneys from the fund or from the proceeds of revenue bonds issued under ORS 285B.572 to 285B.578.

      (b) Require a plan, to be adopted by a municipality receiving financial assistance from the fund, for installation of meters on all service connections throughout the drinking water system not later than two years after the completion of a safe drinking water project.

      (8)(a) The Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority shall manage the Water Fund and any expenditures from accounts in the fund and transfers between accounts so that the fund provides a continuing source of financing consistent with ORS 285B.413.

      (b) If necessary to ensure repayment of bonds issued under ORS 285B.560 to 285B.599, the authority may reduce the value of the fund when the authority:

      (A) Finds that without a reduction in fund value, bonds secured by the fund are likely to be in default; and

      (B) Imposes a moratorium on grants until the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection are satisfied.

      (9)(a) The authority may charge administrative costs to the fund, but not to moneys segregated in the account created by subsection (11) of this section, to pay for administrative costs incurred by the authority.

      (b) To the extent permitted by federal law, administrative costs of the authority may be paid from bond proceeds.

      (10) The authority may establish other accounts within the Water Fund for the payment of water projects costs, reserves, debt service payments, credit enhancements, costs of issuing revenue bonds, administrative costs and operating expenses or any other purpose necessary to carry out ORS 285B.560 to 285B.599.

      (11) There is created within the Water Fund a separate and distinct account for the proceeds from the sale of water development general obligation bonds issued for safe drinking water projects and credited to the special account under this section. Any investment earnings thereon shall be segregated in and continuously appropriated to a special, separately accounted for subaccount of this account. Moneys credited to this account shall be maintained separate and distinct from moneys credited to subaccounts created under subsection (10) of this section. Notwithstanding ORS 285B.566 or subsection (4) of this section, all repayments of moneys loaned from the account created by this subsection, including interest on the moneys, shall be credited to the Water Development Administration and Bond Sinking Fund created by ORS 541.830.

      (12) As used in this section, “administrative costs” include the authority’s direct and indirect costs for investigating and processing an application, developing a contract, monitoring the use of funds by a municipality, investigating and resolving a budget discrepancy, closing a project and providing financial and other assistance to a municipality. [Formerly 285.757; 1999 c.509 §45; 2001 c.883 §37; 2003 c.773 §50; 2005 c.835 §23; 2007 c.783 §107; 2007 c.804 §36; 2009 c.595 §200; 2009 c.830 §122a]

 

      285B.566 Use of awards. All payments, receipts and interest from financial awards made for water projects shall be retained and accumulated in the Water Fund and used to finance water projects including payments to holders of revenue bonds issued under ORS 285B.575. [Formerly 285.760]

 

      285B.569 When constitutional restrictions apply to use of certain funds. If moneys are transferred to the Water Fund from the sources described in ORS 285B.563 (5)(b) to (e), all constitutional restrictions, statutes and rules regulating the use of the moneys transferred from these funds shall apply to the use of those moneys in the Water Fund. [Formerly 285.763]

 

(Revenue Bond Financing of Safe Drinking Water Projects)

 

      285B.572 Eligibility of project for revenue bond financing; rules; decision to issue bonds. (1) The Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority shall determine eligibility of a water project for revenue bond financing under ORS 285B.560 to 285B.599 pursuant to rules adopted by the Oregon Business Development Department.

      (2) Upon determining that a water project is eligible for revenue bond financing, the authority shall forward a description of the project to the State Treasurer. The State Treasurer shall determine whether to issue revenue bonds. [Formerly 285.950; 2009 c.830 §123]

 

      285B.575 Issuance of revenue bonds. (1) At the request of the Oregon Business Development Department, the State Treasurer may issue in the name of the State of Oregon revenue bonds secured by moneys paid to the Water Fund and pledged to finance or refinance in whole or in part the cost of a water project. The revenue bonds issued under this section shall be issued in the manner prescribed by ORS chapter 286A, and refunding bonds may be issued to refinance the revenue bonds.

      (2) The department or the State Treasurer may appoint bond counsel as prescribed under ORS 286A.130. [Formerly 285.952; 2001 c.536 §3; 2003 c.794 §242; 2007 c.783 §108; 2009 c.830 §124]

 

      285B.578 Nature of revenue bonds. (1) Revenue bonds issued under ORS 285B.575:

      (a) Shall not be payable from nor charged upon any fund other than the revenue pledged to the payment of the revenue bonds, except as provided in this section, nor shall the state be subject to any liability on the bonds. No holder of revenue bonds shall ever have the right to compel any exercise of the taxing power of the state to pay any such bonds or the interest on the bonds, nor to enforce payment of the bonds against any property of the state except those moneys pledged in the Water Fund, under the provisions of ORS 285B.560 to 285B.599.

      (b) Shall not constitute a charge, lien or encumbrance, legal or equitable, upon any property of the state, except those moneys paid to the Water Fund.

      (2) A revenue bond issued under ORS 285B.575 shall not constitute a debt of the state or a lending of the credit of the state within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory limitation. [Formerly 285.954; 2001 c.883 §38]

 

      285B.581 Repayment plans; required provisions; loan contract; sources for repayment. (1) Any loan of moneys to a municipality by the state shall include a plan for repayment by the municipality of moneys borrowed from the Water Fund for a water project and interest on those moneys at a rate expressly specified. The repayment plan:

      (a) Shall provide for evidence of debt assurance of, and security for, repayment by the municipality as is considered necessary by the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority.

      (b) May set forth the allocation of special assessments or contractual responsibilities among the owners of benefited properties for repayment to the municipality of the amount of the loan.

      (c) May not exceed the usable life of the contracted project or 30 years from the year of project completion, whichever is less.

      (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or any restriction on indebtedness contained in a charter, a municipality may borrow from the fund by entering into a loan contract with the authority. The contract may be repaid from:

      (a) The revenues of any water project, including special assessment revenues;

      (b) Amounts withheld under ORS 285B.599;

      (c) The general fund of the municipality; or

      (d) Any other source.

      (3) A loan contract authorized under subsection (2) of this section may provide that a portion of the proceeds of the loan be applied to fund a reserve fund to secure the repayment of the loan or secure the repayment of revenue bonds issued to fund the loan.

      (4) A loan contract authorized under subsection (2) of this section shall be authorized by an ordinance, order or resolution adopted by the governing body of the municipality. [Formerly 285.956; 2001 c.883 §39; 2005 c.835 §22; 2009 c.830 §125; 2013 c.404 §1]

 

      285B.584 Powers of authority. The Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority may:

      (1) Make all contracts, execute all instruments and do all things necessary or convenient for the exercise of the powers granted by this section, or for the performance of its covenants or duties, or in order to secure the payment of its bonds;

      (2) Enter into and perform such contracts and agreements with municipalities as the authority may consider proper and feasible for or concerning the planning, construction, installation, lease or other acquisition, and the financing of water projects; and

      (3) Enter into covenants for the benefit of bond owners regarding the use and expenditure of moneys in the Water Fund. [Formerly 285.958; 2007 c.783 §109; 2009 c.830 §126]

 

      285B.587 Deposit and use of bond proceeds. (1) Proceeds of revenue bonds issued and sold under ORS 285B.572 to 285B.578 that are to be used to fund loans to municipalities for water projects shall be deposited in the Water Fund.

      (2) Proceeds of revenue bonds issued and sold under ORS 285B.572 to 285B.578 that are to be used to pay the costs of issuing the revenue bonds or that are to be applied to fund a reserve fund for the revenue bonds shall be deposited either in the Water Fund or in a trust account or fund held by any trustee for the revenue bonds. Moneys on deposit in the Water Fund may be transferred to any trustee for the revenue bonds to be applied to the payment of the costs of issuing the revenue bonds or to be applied to fund a reserve fund for the revenue bonds. [Formerly 285.960]

 

      285B.590 Other forms of financial assistance. In addition to making loans to municipalities for water projects, the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority may provide any other form of financial or other assistance that the authority may consider appropriate to assist municipalities with water projects, including direct purchase by the authority of goods and services related to a water project. [Formerly 285.962; 2001 c.883 §39a; 2009 c.830 §127]

 

      285B.593 Technical assistance grants and loans; uses; rules. Out of the moneys in the Water Fund, the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority may make technical assistance grants and loans to municipalities as specified by the Oregon Business Development Department by rule. Technical assistance grants and loans shall be for the purpose of completing preliminary planning, legal, fiscal and economic investigations, reports and studies to determine the economic and engineering feasibility of water projects. [Formerly 285.964; 2003 c.773 §51; 2009 c.830 §128]

 

      285B.596 Funding of distressed area or nonurban water projects. Not less than 60 percent of the grants awarded from the Water Fund shall be used to provide assistance to distressed area or nonurban water projects. [Formerly 285.966; 2001 c.883 §39b; 2003 c.773 §52]

 

      285B.599 Effect of failure to repay to Water Fund; default. (1) If a municipality fails to comply with a contract entered into under ORS 285B.581, the Oregon Business Development Department may seek appropriate legal remedies to secure any repayment due the Water Fund. If any municipality defaults on payments due the fund, the State of Oregon may withhold any amounts otherwise due the municipality to apply to the indebtedness. The department may waive the right to withhold moneys under this subsection.

      (2) Moneys withheld under subsection (1) of this section shall be deposited in the fund and shall be used to repay any account in the fund from which funds were expended to pay obligations upon which the municipality defaulted. [Formerly 285.968; 2009 c.830 §129]

 

OREGON BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION PROGRAM

 

      285B.600 Definitions for ORS 285B.600 to 285B.620. As used in ORS 285B.600 to 285B.620:

      (1) “Certified employer” means an eligible employer certified under ORS 285B.605.

      (2) “Compensation” has the meaning given that term in ORS 314.610.

      (3) “Eligible employee” means a new full-time employee who is paid qualifying compensation and is hired by a certified employer after the employer is certified under ORS 285B.605.

      (4) “Eligible employer” means an employer that, in the month in which the employer submits an application under ORS 285B.608:

      (a) Has at least 150 employees;

      (b) Plans to hire at least 50 eligible employees in this state;

      (c) Operates in an industry in the traded sector, as that term is defined in ORS 285A.010; and

      (d) Is not a retailer, as that term is defined in ORS 72.8010.

      (5) “Estimated incremental Oregon Business Retention and Expansion Program tax revenues” means the Oregon personal income tax revenues that are estimated pursuant to ORS 285B.618 to be substantially equivalent to the amount of tax that eligible employees of an eligible employer will be required to pay under ORS chapter 316 as a result of qualifying compensation paid to the eligible employees by the eligible employer in the two consecutive tax years beginning with the tax year following the tax year in which the employer receives certification under ORS 285B.605.

      (6) “Qualifying compensation” means:

      (a) Compensation that averages at least 150 percent of the lesser of the county or state average annual per employee compensation; or

      (b) If the employees are to be hired in a county that is outside all metropolitan statistical areas, as defined by the most recent federal decennial census, compensation that averages at least 130 percent of the lesser of the county or state average annual per employee compensation. [2011 c.549 §1; 2017 c.610 §31]

 

      Note: 285B.600 to 285B.620 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 285B or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      285B.602 Rules. The Oregon Business Development Department may adopt rules that the department determines are necessary to:

      (1) Further define the terms defined in ORS 285B.600 in a manner consistent with ORS 285B.600;

      (2) Implement the duties of the department under ORS 285B.600 to 285B.620; and

      (3) Carry out the purposes of ORS 285B.600 to 285B.620. [2011 c.549 §2]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.600.

 

      285B.605 Certification of eligible employers; time period to approve application. (1) Subject to standards and procedures that the Oregon Business Development Department shall establish by rule, the department shall certify eligible employers to participate in the Oregon Business Retention and Expansion Program established in ORS 285B.615. The department may establish certification standards regarding:

      (a) Employers maintaining certain levels of payroll or per-employee compensation including benefits;

      (b) Employers consulting with vendors in this state before entering into contracts;

      (c) Eligible employers not laying off current employees in order to achieve hiring goals;

      (d) Specifying the types and amounts of employer expenses that are the reasonable costs of financing, developing, furnishing and operating a facility to be used by the certified employer in the course of business under ORS 285B.615; and

      (e) Verifying that an employer is an eligible employer.

      (2) The department must approve or deny an application submitted under ORS 285B.608 within 120 days after the date a complete application is filed. [2011 c.549 §3]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.600.

 

      285B.608 Application for certification; requirements. (1) An employer may apply to the Oregon Business Development Department for certification under ORS 285B.605.

      (2) The application shall be made in writing in a form prescribed by the department.

      (3) The application must include a verified statement by the employer that the employer would not plan on hiring 50 or more new full-time employees in this state but for the availability of the loans provided by the Oregon Business Retention and Expansion Program established under ORS 285B.615. [2011 c.549 §4]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.600.

 

      285B.610 Revocation of certificate. (1) The Oregon Business Development Department may revoke a certificate issued under ORS 285B.605 if the department finds that:

      (a) The certificate was obtained by fraud or misrepresentation; or

      (b) The certified employer fails to meet the requirements of ORS 285B.605.

      (2) If the certificate is revoked pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the department shall proceed to recoup any loan moneys disbursed to the employer pursuant to ORS 285B.615. [2011 c.549 §5]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.600.

 

      285B.615 Oregon Business Retention and Expansion Program; purpose; agreements; contents; loans. (1) In consultation with the Department of Revenue, the Oregon Business Development Department shall establish and administer the Oregon Business Retention and Expansion Program. The purpose of the program is to provide forgivable loans to certified employers to allow for expanded operations and increased hiring.

      (2) The Oregon Business Development Department shall enter into agreements with certified employers. Agreements must contain:

      (a) Detailed performance measures, established by the department by rule, with which certified employers must comply; and

      (b) The requirement that the certified employer pay to the Oregon Business Development Department the amount of any loan made under this section where the certified employer did not meet established performance measures.

      (3) The total loan amount distributed to a certified employer under this section may not exceed the total amount of the estimated incremental Oregon Business Retention and Expansion Program tax revenues for the certified employer.

      (4) Moneys loaned under this section must be distributed to the certified employer no later than 120 days following certification under ORS 285B.605. [2011 c.549 §6]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.600.

 

      285B.618 Department estimate of program tax revenues; methodology. The Director of the Oregon Business Development Department, in consultation with the Director of the Department of Revenue, shall:

      (1) Specify the methodology for estimating incremental Oregon Business Retention and Expansion Program tax revenues; and

      (2) Estimate incremental Oregon Business Retention and Expansion Program tax revenues. [2011 c.549 §7]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.600.

 

      285B.620 Oregon Business Retention and Expansion Program Fund; sources; uses. The Oregon Business Retention and Expansion Program Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. The Oregon Business Retention and Expansion Program Fund consists of amounts deposited in the fund as required by section 9, chapter 549, Oregon Laws 2011, and other moneys transferred to the fund. Amounts in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for the purposes of making the loans provided by the agreements entered into under ORS 285B.615 and paying the costs and expenses of the Oregon Business Development Department in connection with the implementation and administration of ORS 285B.600 to 285B.620. [2011 c.549 §8]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.600.

 

      285B.622 Transfer of moneys from Strategic Reserve Fund. (1) The Oregon Business Development Department may transfer moneys credited to the Strategic Reserve Fund created under ORS 285B.266 to the Oregon Business Retention and Expansion Program Fund established under ORS 285B.620, to be used for the purpose of making the loans provided by the agreements entered into under ORS 285B.615, and in accordance with the provisions of ORS 285B.600 to 285B.620.

      (2) Unless approved by the Joint Committee on Ways and Means or, if the Legislative Assembly is not in session, the Emergency Board, administrative expenses of the Oregon Business Development Department incurred in connection with the implementation and administration of ORS 285B.600 to 285B.620 may not be paid from funds transferred pursuant to this section. Expenses that are project-related are not considered to be administrative expenses of the department. [2013 c.572 §2]

 

      Note: 285B.622 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 285B or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

OREGON INDUSTRIAL SITE READINESS PROGRAM

 

      285B.625 Legislative findings. The Legislative Assembly finds that:

      (1) Traded sector industries are the foundation of state and regional economic development strategies for long-term prosperity and job creation. Because traded sector jobs typically pay higher than average wages and generate higher than average income tax revenues, such jobs play an important role in supporting critical state services.

      (2) Industrial development that provides new traded sector jobs reinforces the economies of local and regional communities and contributes to the economic recovery of the State of Oregon.

      (3) There is a shortage of market-ready regional industrial sites in this state. Project sponsors have limited financial tools to facilitate development of significant and complex industrial sites that are appropriate for traded sector industrial use.

      (4) Public assistance is necessary to overcome development-related constraints and to incentivize industrial site development in this state.

      (5) The State of Oregon has a significant interest in the success of regional economic development strategies and is the primary beneficiary of such economic development through increased income tax revenues. These revenues should be shared and invested in facilitating significant site development for traded sector industrial use in this state. [2013 c.763 §1; 2017 c.561 §1]

 

      Note: 285B.625 to 285B.632 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 285B or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      285B.626 Definitions for ORS 285B.625 to 285B.632. As used in ORS 285B.625 to 285B.632:

      (1) “Eligible employer” means an employer that:

      (a) Is conducting a traded sector business on a regionally significant industrial site; and

      (b)(A) With respect to a rural site, has hired at least 25 full-time employees whose wages average at least 150 percent of the county or state average wage, whichever is less; or

      (B) With respect to an urban site, has hired at least 50 full-time employees whose wages average at least 150 percent of the county or state average wage, whichever is less.

      (2) “Estimated incremental income tax revenues” means the Oregon personal income tax revenues that are equivalent to the amount of tax that employees of an eligible employer who are hired by the eligible employer on a designated regionally significant industrial site have paid under ORS chapter 316 in the tax years following the first tax year in which the eligible employer begins conducting a traded sector business on the designated regionally significant industrial site.

      (3) “Industrial use” means employment activities, including but not limited to manufacturing, assembly, fabrication, processing, storage, logistics, warehousing, importation, distribution, transshipment and research and development, that generate income from the production, handling or distribution of goods or services, including goods or services in the traded sector.

      (4) “Project sponsor” means:

      (a) A public owner of a regionally significant industrial site that is investing in preparation of the site for industrial use by a third party; or

      (b) A public entity that has entered into a development or other agreement with the private owner of a regionally significant industrial site to prepare the site for industrial use.

      (5) “Regionally significant industrial site” means a site planned and zoned for industrial use that:

      (a)(A) Is suitable for the location of new industrial uses or the expansion of existing industrial uses and that can provide significant additional employment in the region;

      (B) Has site characteristics that provide significant competitive advantages that are difficult or impossible to replicate in the region; and

      (C) Has superior access to transportation and freight infrastructure, including but not limited to rail, port, airport, multimodal freight or transshipment facilities and other major transportation facilities or routes; or

      (b) Is located in an area designated by Metro, as defined in ORS 197.015, as a regionally significant industrial area.

      (6) “Rural site” means a regionally significant industrial site located in an area outside of a metropolitan statistical area, as defined by the most recent federal decennial census.

      (7) “Traded sector” has the meaning given that term in ORS 285A.010.

      (8) “Urban site” means a regionally significant industrial site located in a metropolitan statistical area, as defined by the most recent federal decennial census, that is located inside a regional or metropolitan urban growth boundary.

      (9) “Wage” has the meaning given that term pursuant to rules adopted by the Oregon Business Development Department. [2013 c.763 §2; 2017 c.561 §2]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.625.

 

      285B.627 Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Program; purpose; application; tax reimbursement arrangement; loan agreement; rules. (1) In consultation with the Department of Revenue, the Oregon Business Development Department shall establish and administer the Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Program. The purpose of the program is to:

      (a) Enter into tax reimbursement arrangements with qualified project sponsors pursuant to subsection (5) of this section; or

      (b) Provide loans, including forgivable loans, to qualified project sponsors pursuant to subsection (5) of this section.

      (2)(a) Subject to standards and procedures that the Oregon Business Development Department shall establish by rule, the department shall designate regionally significant industrial sites for inclusion in the program.

      (b) A regionally significant industrial site designated under this section must be an industrial site that is planned and zoned for industrial use.

      (3) A project sponsor may apply to participate in the program by submitting an application and development plan in writing in a form prescribed by the department by rule.

      (4) The department shall establish by rule criteria and standards for the qualification of project sponsors to participate in the program.

      (5) Upon qualification of a project sponsor under this section, and before July 1, 2023, the department may:

      (a) Enter into a tax reimbursement arrangement with the project sponsor pursuant to which the project sponsor shall receive an amount equal to 50 percent of the estimated incremental income tax revenues generated by an eligible employer per tax year, beginning with the first tax year following the tax year in which a project sponsor is qualified under this section, until the total investment of the qualified project sponsor in the eligible site preparation costs, including interest, established under subsection (7) of this section has been recovered, at which time the tax reimbursement arrangement shall end; or

      (b) Enter into a loan agreement with the project sponsor under terms and conditions specified and required by the department. In making a determination to enter into a loan agreement with the project sponsor, the department shall consider the reasonableness of the project sponsor’s estimated costs to prepare the site for industrial use, including but not limited to eligible site preparation costs established by the department pursuant to subsection (7) of this section. The agreement may specify that a portion of the loan may be forgiven if the project sponsor enters into a contract with an eligible employer to conduct a business in the traded sector industry on a regionally significant industrial site within seven years after the project sponsor was qualified under this section.

      (6)(a) The total amount of the loan that may be forgiven under subsection (5) of this section is the lesser of:

      (A) Fifty percent of the total cost of eligible site preparation costs; or

      (B) Fifty percent of the amount of the estimated incremental income tax revenues for the eligible employer for the term of the loan.

      (b) Loan forgiveness may not be allowed under subsection (5) of this section if any portion of the loan that would not be forgiven would be repaid by the project sponsor with state funds received from any source.

      (7) The department shall establish, by rule, eligible site preparation costs including, but not limited to, some or all of the following:

      (a) Acquisition and assembly costs associated with creating large development parcels.

      (b) Transportation improvements such as access roads, intersections, turning lanes, signals, sidewalks, curbs, transit stops and storm drains.

      (c) Water and sewer infrastructure.

      (d) Natural resource mitigation.

      (e) Site grading activities.

      (f) Environmental remediation and mitigation activities to address brownfields issues in accordance with state and federally approved remediation plans.

      (g) Planning, engineering and administrative costs associated with applying for necessary local, state and federal permits.

      (h) Interest-carrying costs incurred by a project sponsor for amounts borrowed to develop a regionally significant industrial site, not to exceed 20 percent of the total amount forgiven, if any, under subsection (5) of this section.

      (8) The total amount of tax reimbursement arrangements and loan amounts authorized under this section may not exceed $10 million per year.

      (9) Funds received pursuant to a tax reimbursement arrangement or a loan agreement under subsection (5) of this section may not be used for the payment of:

      (a) A penalty or fine; or

      (b) Environmental remediation activities conducted at a regionally significant industrial site that is listed or proposed to be listed as a national priority pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9605) for which the project sponsor, eligible employer or any party to the tax reimbursement arrangement or loan agreement is liable under 42 U.S.C. 9607 at that regionally significant industrial site.

      (10) The department shall adopt rules to administer and implement the provisions of this section. [2013 c.763 §3; 2017 c.561 §3]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.625.

 

      285B.630 Department to obtain employment and wage information for eligible employers at regionally significant industrial sites and determine estimated incremental income tax revenues; transfer of certified amounts to fund; rules. (1) On or before April 1 of each tax year following the first tax year in which an employee of an eligible employer on a regionally significant industrial site designated under ORS 285B.627 will be required to pay personal income taxes under ORS chapter 316, the Oregon Business Development Department shall obtain employment and wage information for the eligible employer at the regionally significant industrial site.

      (2) After obtaining the employment and wage information described in subsection (1) of this section, the Oregon Business Development Department shall determine the annual amount of estimated incremental income tax revenues generated by an eligible employer per tax year.

      (3) In determining the amount of estimated incremental income tax revenues generated by an eligible employer under this section, the Oregon Business Development Department may rely on reasonable techniques of estimation, if appropriate.

      (4) Not later than May 15 of each year, the Oregon Business Development Department shall request that the Oregon Department of Administrative Services certify the amounts determined under subsection (2) of this section to the Department of Revenue, the Legislative Revenue Officer and the Legislative Fiscal Officer.

      (5) Not later than June 15 of each year, after receiving the certification under subsection (4) of this section, the Department of Revenue shall transfer to the Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Program Fund established in ORS 285B.632 an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of estimated incremental income tax revenues certified under subsection (4) of this section, not to exceed the amount of eligible site preparation costs, including interest, established under ORS 285B.627 (7).

      (6) The Department of Revenue shall retain unreceipted revenue from the tax imposed under ORS chapter 316 in an amount necessary to make the transfers required under subsection (5) of this section. The department shall make the transfers out of the unreceipted revenue in lieu of paying the revenue over to the State Treasurer for deposit in the General Fund.

      (7) The Oregon Business Development Department shall adopt rules necessary to administer this section. The Department of Revenue may adopt rules necessary to administer this section. [2013 c.763 §4; 2017 c.561 §4]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.625.

 

      285B.632 Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Program Fund; sources; uses. The Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Program Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. The Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Program Fund consists of amounts deposited in the fund and other moneys transferred to the fund, including but not limited to moneys transferred by the Department of Revenue to the fund under ORS 285B.630. Amounts in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for the purposes of entering into tax reimbursement arrangements and making loans under ORS 285B.627 and paying the costs and expenses of the Oregon Business Development Department in connection with the implementation and administration of ORS 285B.625 to 285B.632. [2013 c.763 §5]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.625.

 

OREGON INDUSTRIAL SITE READINESS ASSESSMENT PROGRAM

 

      285B.635 Legislative findings. The Legislative Assembly finds that:

      (1) A competitive supply of market-ready regionally significant industrial sites is critical to the expansion and recruitment of traded sector industries in this state.

      (2) Traded sector industries are the foundation of state and regional economic development strategies for long-term prosperity and job creation.

      (3) There is a shortage of market-ready regionally significant industrial sites in this state and limited financial tools and developers available to facilitate the development of regionally significant industrial sites in this state.

      (4) Financial assistance is required to facilitate the determination of necessary actions, costs and development-related constraints involved in ensuring the availability of a competitive supply of market-ready regionally significant industrial sites suitable for industrial use and development in this state. [2013 c.764 §1]

 

      Note: 285B.635 to 285B.642 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 285B or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      285B.636 Definitions for ORS 285B.635 to 285B.640. As used in ORS 285B.635 to 285B.640:

      (1) “Due diligence assessment” means an assessment of the actions, costs and time frames involved in bringing regionally significant industrial sites to market-ready status, including but not limited to wetland delineation, geotechnical investigation, environmental assessment and traffic analysis.

      (2) “Economic development district” means one of the following:

      (a) The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Economic Development Corporation, serving tribal members of the Burns-Paiute Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, the Coquille Indian Tribe, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and the Klamath Tribes.

      (b) The Cascades West Economic Development District, serving Benton, Lane, Lincoln and Linn Counties.

      (c) The Columbia-Pacific Economic Development District, serving Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook Counties and western Washington County.

      (d) The CCD Business Development Corporation, serving Coos, Curry and Douglas Counties.

      (e) The Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation, serving Gilliam, Grant, Morrow, Umatilla, Wheeler, Harney and Malheur Counties.

      (f) The Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, serving Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson Counties.

      (g) The Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, serving Hood River, Wasco and Sherman Counties.

      (h) The Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments, serving Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties.

      (i) The South Central Oregon Economic Development District, serving Lake and Klamath Counties.

      (j) The Northeast Oregon Economic Development District serving Baker, Union and Wallowa Counties.

      (k) Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc., serving Jackson and Josephine Counties.

      (L) Greater Portland, Inc.:B1EM.Portland-Vancouver Economic Development District, serving Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington Counties.

      (3) “Industrial use” means employment activities, including but not limited to manufacturing, assembly, fabrication, processing, storage, logistics, warehousing, importation, distribution, transshipment and research and development, that generate income from the production, handling or distribution of goods or services, including goods or services in the traded sector.

      (4) “Local government” has the meaning given that term in ORS 197.015.

      (5) “Market-ready” means that a regionally significant industrial site has been issued all appropriate and necessary building permits.

      (6) “Region” means an economic development district, a port district as defined in ORS 285A.666 or an area within the jurisdiction of a local government.

      (7) “Regional industrial land inventory” means an inventory of regionally significant industrial sites in a region that identifies development-related constraints and opportunities to develop regionally significant industrial sites and that rates the sites based on market-ready status.

      (8) “Regionally significant industrial site” means an area planned and zoned for industrial use that:

      (a)(A) Contains a site or sites, including brownfields, that are suitable for the location of new industrial uses or the expansion of existing industrial uses and that can provide significant additional employment in the region;

      (B) Has site characteristics that give the area significant competitive advantages that are difficult or impossible to replicate in the region; and

      (C) Has superior access to transportation and freight infrastructure, including but not limited to rail, port, airport, multimodal freight or transshipment facilities and other major transportation facilities or routes; or

      (b) Is land designated by Metro, as defined in ORS 197.015, as a regionally significant industrial area.

      (9) “Willing property owner” means a public or private property owner that is committed to bringing a regionally significant industrial site to a state of market-readiness and pursuing development of the site for industrial use. [2013 c.764 §2]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.635.

 

      285B.637 Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Assessment Program; purpose; application; grant eligibility; limitations; rules. (1) The Oregon Business Development Department shall establish and administer the Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Assessment Program. The purpose of the program is to provide grants on a competitive basis from funds that are available in the Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Assessment Program Fund established in ORS 285B.640, to:

      (a) Public owners of regionally significant industrial sites or public entities that have entered into development agreements or other agreements with private owners with respect to regionally significant industrial sites, to perform due diligence assessments, define development-related constraints and create detailed development plans to move the site toward a state of market-readiness; and

      (b) Public owners of regionally significant industrial sites or public entities that have entered into development agreements or other agreements with private owners with respect to regionally significant industrial sites, acting on behalf of regions for the purposes of performing regional industrial land inventories and prioritizing sites for due diligence assessment and site preparation assistance.

      (2) In each fiscal year of a biennium:

      (a) Eighty percent of all moneys available for making grants under this section is reserved for grants to be made pursuant to subsection (1)(a) of this section; and

      (b) Twenty percent of all moneys available for making grants under this section is reserved for grants to be made pursuant to subsection (1)(b) of this section.

      (3) The department may prioritize grants to be made under this section based on established targets for regional allocations.

      (4) Public owners of regionally significant industrial sites or public entities that have entered into development agreements or other agreements with private owners with respect to regionally significant industrial sites may apply to participate in the program by submitting an application in writing in a form prescribed by the department by rule.

      (5) The department shall establish by rule criteria and standards for successful applicants under the program. At a minimum, the applicant must demonstrate that:

      (a) For grants made under subsection (1)(a) of this section:

      (A) The applicant has obtained a willing property owner;

      (B) The applicant has received the support of the region in which the regionally significant industrial site is located, or the regionally significant industrial site is located in an area that has been designated a regionally significant industrial area as defined in ORS 197.722;

      (C) The regionally significant industrial site is not currently market-ready and has not been certified by the department as ready for development within six months or less as of the date on which the application is submitted; and

      (D) The applicant can provide matching funds in an amount to be determined by the department.

      (b) For grants made under subsection (1)(b) of this section:

      (A) The applicant is committed and has the ability to perform regional industrial land inventories for a specific region;

      (B) The applicant is committed and has the ability to prioritize regionally significant industrial sites in a region for due diligence assessment and site preparation funding; and

      (C) The applicant can provide matching funds in an amount to be determined by the department.

      (6) Grants made under subsection (1)(a) of this section may not exceed $100,000 per site. Grants made under subsection (1)(b) of this section may not exceed $50,000 per region. [2013 c.764 §3]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.635.

 

      285B.640 Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Assessment Program Fund; sources; uses. The Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Assessment Program Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. The Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Assessment Program Fund consists of moneys appropriated, allocated, deposited or transferred to the fund by the Legislative Assembly and interest earned on moneys in the fund. Amounts in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for the purposes of making grants under ORS 285B.637 and to implement and administer ORS 285B.635 to 285B.640. Interest earned on the fund shall be deposited into the fund. [2013 c.764 §4]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.635.

 

      285B.642 Findings in furtherance of economic development. The Legislative Assembly finds that the implementation and administration of the Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Assessment Program under ORS 285B.635 to 285B.640 will further economic development by facilitating the development of regionally significant industrial sites that are market-ready in this state. [2013 c.764 §5]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.635.

 

      285B.650 [Formerly 285.560; 1999 c.460 §1; 2001 c.684 §20; 2001 c.957 §1; 2003 c.662 §14; renumbered 285C.050 in 2003]

 

OREGON RURAL CAPACITY ASSISTANCE DISTRIBUTIONS

 

      285B.651 Definitions for ORS 285B.651 to 285B.676. As used in ORS 285B.651 to 285B.676, unless the context clearly requires another meaning:

      (1) “City” means a city, town or other community located in this state with a population of 2,500 or less.

      (2) “District association” means Oregon’s Economic Development Districts, an organization consisting of member districts designated by the United States Economic Development Administration.

      (3) “Grant administrator” means a person that provides fiscal administration, grant compliance, grant reporting and other similar administrative services required by grant-awarding entities.

      (4) “Member district” means a district that is a member of Oregon’s Economic Development Districts.

      (5) “Rural area” means an area located in this state that is entirely outside the acknowledged Portland Metropolitan Area Regional Urban Growth Boundary and the acknowledged urban growth boundaries of all cities with populations of 30,000 or more.

      (6) “Rural capacity builder” means a person that assists communities in rural areas:

      (a) To determine local priorities for community and economic development;

      (b) To develop tools, processes and partnerships to address local needs; or

      (c) By providing grant writing services.

      (7) “Rural county” means a county of this state with a population of 12,000 or less.

      (8) “Rural grant services” means assistance to communities in rural areas in:

      (a) Identifying funding opportunities to meet community and economic development needs; and

      (b) Applying for grants.

      (9) “Rural jurisdictions” means:

      (a) Rural counties; and

      (b) Federally recognized Indian tribes, cities, school districts and special districts located in rural areas. [2021 c.614 §1]

 

      Note: 285B.651 to 285B.676 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 285B or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      285B.653 [Formerly 285.562; 1999 c.460 §2; 2003 c.662 §18; renumbered 285C.080 in 2003]

 

      285B.655 Distributions to assist rural jurisdictions with applications for funding. (1) The Oregon Business Development Department shall distribute moneys in the Oregon Rural Capacity Fund established under ORS 285B.676 to provide resources to Oregon’s Economic Development Districts for the purposes of assisting rural jurisdictions to learn about, successfully apply for and administer grants and other forms of funding available from any public or private source. The rural jurisdictions shall use such resources solely to attain the staffing and financial and technical capacity necessary to carry out proactive strategies for workforce, infrastructure, economic and community development in the rural jurisdictions.

      (2) The district association shall assist, or provide for assistance to, rural jurisdictions by means that include, but are not limited to:

      (a) Outreach to the rural jurisdictions about grants and other forms of funding;

      (b) Employment of grant writers or grant administrators to directly assist the rural jurisdictions in applying for grants and other forms of funding;

      (c) Direct assistance in administering grants awarded to the rural jurisdictions; and

      (d) Working with state agencies to coordinate investments in water and sewer systems, roads and other elements of basic infrastructure needed in cities in rural areas. [2021 c.614 §2]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.651.

 

      285B.656 [Formerly 285.563; 2003 c.662 §16; renumbered 285C.065 in 2003]

 

      285B.659 [Formerly 285.564; renumbered 285C.075 in 2003]

 

      285B.660 Oregon Business Development Department to develop policy for distributions, work with district association, oversee rural grant services. The Oregon Business Development Department shall:

      (1) Develop the policy guiding the implementation of ORS 285B.651 to 285B.676.

      (2) Communicate the policy and the purposes set forth in ORS 285B.655 to underserved rural jurisdictions.

      (3) Determine the amount of moneys available for distribution to Oregon’s Economic Development Districts under ORS 285B.655.

      (4) Consult and coordinate with the district association on the distribution of moneys under ORS 285B.655. When consulting with the district association on the use of moneys, the department and the district association shall consider:

      (a) Which rural jurisdictions are most in need of the assistance provided under ORS 285B.651 to 285B.676; and

      (b) The geographical balance of the distributions and assistance.

      (5) Work with the district association to determine the number and location of the grant writers and rural capacity builders to be hired with the moneys distributed.

      (6) Make the distributions under ORS 285B.655 in accordance with the policy and priorities developed under this section from moneys in the Oregon Rural Capacity Fund established under ORS 285B.676.

      (7) Oversee the rural grant services provided under ORS 285B.651 to 285B.676.

      (8) Periodically consult with the League of Oregon Cities, the Association of Oregon Counties, the Oregon School Boards Association and the Special Districts Association of Oregon on the implementation of ORS 285B.651 to 285B.676. [2021 c.614 §3]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.651.

 

      285B.662 [Formerly 285.565; 2003 c.662 §20; renumbered 285C.090 in 2003]

 

      285B.664 Requirements for member district receiving moneys; agreements with regional

solutions advisory committees; quarterly reports; member district hiring authority. (1) This section applies to a member district that receives moneys pursuant to ORS 285B.655.

      (2)(a) The member district shall expend the moneys solely to provide grant writing, grant administration, rural grant and rural capacity building services to rural jurisdictions for the purposes set forth in ORS 285B.655.

      (b) The moneys received by the member district, and the activities of the member district in expending the moneys, shall supplement and may not supplant the resources and activities of the member district.

      (c) The member district may not use moneys received pursuant to ORS 285B.655 to apply for grants for purposes unrelated to the purposes set forth in ORS 285B.655.

      (d) For purposes of a member district’s assistance to rural jurisdictions under this section, the Oregon Business Development Department may enter into an agreement with a regional solutions advisory committee appointed pursuant to ORS 284.754 for a region in which the member district is located in order to coordinate the activities of the member district, including the use of the moneys distributed to the member district, and the regional solutions team for the region.

      (e) The member district shall manage, document and submit quarterly reports to the department about the assistance the member district provides to rural jurisdictions under this section. The reports shall contain at a minimum all applicable information required under ORS 285B.670 (2).

      (3)(a) The member district may hire an individual under this section as an employee or an independent contractor.

      (b) The member district may assign individuals hired under this section to provide the services described in subsection (2)(a) of this section to more than one rural jurisdiction. [2021 c.614 §4]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.651.

 

      285B.665 [Formerly 285.573; 1999 c.460 §6; renumbered 285C.055 in 2003]

 

      285B.668 [Formerly 285.575; 2003 c.662 §15; renumbered 285C.060 in 2003]

 

      285B.670 Annual report to legislature by Oregon Business Development Department. (1) Not later than September 15 of each year, the Oregon Business Development Department shall provide a brief report, in the manner required under ORS 192.245, to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to economic development, that describes the activities that Oregon’s Economic Development Districts engaged in for the previous 12-month period under ORS 285B.651 to 285B.676 and the results of those activities.

      (2) At a minimum, the report required under this section shall identify:

      (a) The rural jurisdictions that requested assistance funded by the district association;

      (b) The rural jurisdictions that received such assistance;

      (c) The populations served by the rural jurisdictions that requested assistance funded by the district association;

      (d) The populations served by the rural jurisdictions that received such assistance;

      (e) The number of funding opportunities, and the dollar amount of private and public funds, separately stated, that the rural jurisdictions applied for with assistance funded by the district association;

      (f) The number of funding opportunities from which the rural jurisdictions received funding with such assistance, and the dollar amount of private and public funding so received, separately stated;

      (g) The multiplier effects of grants and other forms of funding received by the rural jurisdictions with assistance funded by the district association;

      (h) The expected effect of grants and other forms of funding received by the rural jurisdictions with assistance funded by the district association on the timing of the commencement and completion of projects;

      (i) The number of jobs created by rural jurisdictions that received assistance under ORS 285B.651 to 285B.676;

      (j) The return on investment of moneys distributed to member districts under ORS 285B.655; and

      (k) Any other information the department considers important to include in the report. [2021 c.614 §5]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.651.

 

      285B.671 [Formerly 285.577; 2003 c.662 §21; renumbered 285C.105 in 2003]

 

      285B.672 [2001 c.957 §2; 2003 c.662 §23; renumbered 285C.095 in 2003]

 

      285B.673 [2001 c.957 §2b; 2003 c.662 §24; renumbered 285C.100 in 2003]

 

      285B.674 [Formerly 285.580; 2003 c.662 §22; renumbered 285C.110 in 2003]

 

      285B.675 [2001 c.957 §5; repealed by 2003 c.662 §55]

 

      285B.676 Oregon Rural Capacity Fund. (1) The Oregon Rural Capacity Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Oregon Rural Capacity Fund shall be credited to the fund.

      (2) Moneys in the fund consist of:

      (a) Amounts appropriated or otherwise transferred or credited to the fund by the Legislative Assembly;

      (b) Moneys from the federal government, state agencies or local governments transferred or otherwise credited to the fund;

      (c) Amounts donated or otherwise given to the fund;

      (d) Earnings received on moneys in the fund; and

      (e) Other amounts from any source transferred or otherwise credited to the fund.

      (3)(a) Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for the purpose of making the expenditures set forth in this subsection.

      (b) The department may retain an amount equal to five percent of moneys appropriated or otherwise transferred or credited to the fund to pay the for the administrative and operational expenses of department under ORS 285B.651 to 285B.676.

      (c) The department shall distribute the balance of the moneys in accordance with ORS 285B.655. [2021 c.614 §6]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.651.

 

(Temporary provisions relating to Agricultural Overtime Award Fund)

 

      Note: Sections 1 to 3, chapter 12, Oregon Laws 2023, provide:

      Sec. 1. (1) As used in this section:

      (a) “Department” means the Oregon Business Development Department, except when the Department of Revenue is referred to by its full title.

      (b) “Eligible employer” means an employer doing business in 2017 North American Industry Classification System code 111, crop production, or code 112, animal production and aquaculture.

      (c) “Tax credit” means the tax credit for agricultural overtime pay allowed under section 8, chapter 115, Oregon Laws 2022 [315.133].

      (2) The Oregon Business Development Department shall develop and administer a repayable award program for the purpose of providing financial assistance to eligible employers to mitigate the costs associated with the agricultural overtime compensation requirements under section 2, chapter 115, Oregon Laws 2022 [653.272].

      (3)(a) An eligible employer may apply for an award under the program administered under this section if the eligible employer:

      (A) Is eligible to apply for the tax credit; and

      (B) Anticipates earning not more than $3,000,000 in gross income in the current year.

      (b) An eligible employer may apply for an award with respect to workers recruited, solicited, supplied or employed on behalf of the eligible employer by a labor contractor licensed under ORS 658.410. A labor contractor may not apply for an award.

      (4)(a) An award to any eligible employer may not be made under this section in an amount exceeding the lesser of:

      (A) The amount of overtime pay the employer anticipates incurring in the current year; or

      (B) $40,000.

      (b) The department may withhold from each award an origination fee in an amount not greater than 1.5 percent of the award amount to pay the expenses incurred by the department in administering the repayable award program.

      (5)(a) The department shall prescribe an application process for awards made under this section, including forms and deadlines, and an application period to open not later than 30 days following the effective date of this 2023 Act [March 27, 2023] and to remain open for 30 days.

      (b) An eligible employer seeking an award under this section must submit an application to the department including attestations that the eligible employer anticipates:

      (A) Earning not more than $3,000,000 in gross income in the current year;

      (B) Having overtime costs in the current year;

      (C) Being an eligible employer for purposes of the tax credit; and

      (D) Applying for the tax credit.

      (c) The application shall be signed under penalties for false swearing.

      (6)(a) The department may consult with an applicant about the application and the applicant, after such consultation, may amend the application at any time within the application period.

      (b) Not later than 45 days following the close of the application period, the department shall:

      (A) Review all timely and complete applications in accordance with the process prescribed by the department;

      (B) Approve or reject each application based solely on the attestations included in the application; and

      (C) Make an award offer to each approved applicant.

      (c) In reviewing applications, the department is not required to perform any due diligence with respect to the applicant, the applicant’s ability to repay the award, any collateral or other security for repayment of the award or the applicant’s creditworthiness.

      (d) The department shall promptly notify all applicants of the approval or rejection of their applications and the amount of any award offer. The award amount offered and the rejection of an application may not be appealed.

      (7)(a) If the total of all approved award amounts for an application period exceeds the amount of moneys available in the Agricultural Overtime Award Fund established under section 2 of this 2023 Act, the amounts shall be reduced proportionally until the total of all award amounts does not exceed the amount of moneys available.

      (b) If the total of all approved award amounts for an application period does not exceed the amount of moneys available in the Agricultural Overtime Award Fund, the department shall prescribe another application period of 30 days to be administered in accordance with subsections (5) and (6) of this section.

      (c) Additional application periods must open no later than 90 days following the close of the previous application period.

      (d) Applications may not be reviewed and awards may not be offered after the earliest of:

      (A) The date on which all moneys in the Agricultural Overtime Award Fund have been obligated under award agreements;

      (B) The date on which the balance in the Agricultural Overtime Award Fund is less than $10,000; or

      (C) June 30, 2025.

      (e) If the balance in the Agricultural Overtime Award Fund is less than $10,000, all moneys in the fund shall be transferred to the General Fund.

      (8)(a) The department shall seek to enter into an award agreement with each approved applicant based on the offer made pursuant to subsection (6) of this section.

      (b) The award agreement must require the debtor to:

      (A) Promise to use the award proceeds to mitigate the costs associated with the agricultural overtime compensation requirements under section 2, chapter 115, Oregon Laws 2022 [653.272];

      (B) Notify the department within 30 days if the debtor:

      (i) Decides not to apply for the tax credit; or

      (ii) Is notified by the Department of Revenue that the debtor is ineligible for the tax credit;

      (C) Repay the amount of the award interest-free, in monthly or quarterly installments of any amount, or in a single lump sum, at any time within a term not to exceed two years; and

      (D) Notwithstanding subparagraph (C) of this paragraph, repay the full amount of the award:

      (i) Within 30 days following the date on which the debtor notifies the department that the debtor will not apply for the tax credit;

      (ii) Within 30 days following the date on which the debtor notifies the department that the Department of Revenue has determined that the debtor is ineligible for the tax credit; or

      (iii) Upon a breach of the award agreement by the debtor that is not cured within 60 days.

      (9)(a) Any and all amounts of an award not fully repaid according to the award agreement shall be considered to be liquidated and delinquent and the department shall assign such amounts to the Department of Revenue for collection as provided in ORS 293.250.

      (b) If the department discovers that a person willfully made a false statement or misrepresentation, or willfully failed to report a material fact, to obtain an award under this section, the department may add to the amount the person is obligated to repay a penalty not to exceed 20 percent of the principal amount of the award so obtained, plus any applicable interest and fees associated with the Department of Revenue’s costs of collection.

      (10) All amounts repaid to the department or the Department of Revenue under this section, including award amounts, penalties, interest, fees and any other charges, shall be transferred to the General Fund.

      (11) Notwithstanding any provision of ORS 314.835 or 314.840, the Department of Revenue and the department may share information that is related to an eligible employer’s application for the tax credit, the sharing of which is necessary for the effective administration of this section. [2023 c.12 §1]

      Sec. 2. (1) The Agricultural Overtime Award Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Agricultural Overtime Award Fund shall be credited to the fund.

      (2) Moneys in the fund consist of:

      (a) Amounts appropriated or otherwise transferred or credited to the fund by the Legislative Assembly;

      (b) Earnings received on moneys in the fund; and

      (c) Other amounts from any source transferred or otherwise credited to the fund.

      (3) Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for the following purposes:

      (a) Paying the actual costs incurred by the department in developing and administering section 1 of this 2023 Act; and

      (b) Carrying out the provisions of section 1 of this 2023 Act in accordance with section 447 (1), chapter 110, Oregon Laws 2022.

      (4) Any moneys remaining in the fund on June 30, 2025, shall be transferred to the General Fund. [2023 c.12 §2]

      Sec. 3. Sections 1 and 2 of this 2023 Act are repealed on January 2, 2027. [2023 c.12 §3]

 

      285B.677 [Formerly 285.583; 1999 c.460 §7; 2003 c.662 §19; renumbered 285C.085 in 2003]

 

      285B.680 [Formerly 285.585; 2003 c.662 §25; renumbered 285C.115 in 2003]

 

      285B.683 [1997 c.835 §2; 2003 c.662 §26; renumbered 285C.120 in 2003]

 

      285B.686 [Formerly 285.587; 2003 c.662 §47; renumbered 285C.245 in 2003]

 

      285B.689 [Formerly 285.588; 2003 c.662 §48; renumbered 285C.250 in 2003]

 

      285B.692 [Formerly 285.593; 2003 c.662 §27; renumbered 285C.125 in 2003]

 

      285B.695 [Formerly 285.595; 2003 c.662 §28; renumbered 285C.130 in 2003]

 

      285B.698 [Formerly 285.597; 2003 c.662 §35; renumbered 285C.175 in 2003]

 

      285B.701 [Formerly 285.598; 1999 c.1104 §3; 2003 c.662 §31; renumbered 285C.145 in 2003]

 

      285B.704 [Formerly 285.600; 1999 c.1104 §3a; 2003 c.662 §39; renumbered 285C.200 in 2003]

 

      285B.705 [1999 c.1104 §4b; repealed by 2003 c.662 §55]

 

      285B.707 [Formerly 285.603; 1999 c.1104 §5; 2001 c.957 §3; 2003 c.662 §29; renumbered 285C.135 in 2003]

 

      285B.710 [Formerly 285.605; 2003 c.662 §41; renumbered 285C.215 in 2003]

 

      285B.713 [Formerly 285.607; 2001 c.957 §4; 2003 c.662 §36; renumbered 285C.180 in 2003]

 

      285B.714 [2001 c.883 §39d; 2003 c.662 §38; renumbered 285C.190 in 2003]

 

      285B.716 [Formerly 285.610; repealed by 2003 c.662 §55]

 

      285B.719 [Formerly 285.613; 2003 c.662 §30; renumbered 285C.140 in 2003]

 

      285B.722 [Formerly 285.615; 2003 c.662 §42; renumbered 285C.220 in 2003]

 

      285B.723 [1999 c.1104 §2; repealed by 2003 c.662 §55]

 

      285B.725 [Formerly 285.616; 1999 c.1104 §7; repealed by 2003 c.662 §55]

 

      285B.726 [1997 c.835 §44; 1999 c.1104 §19; repealed by 2003 c.662 §55]

 

      285B.728 [Formerly 285.617; 1999 c.1104 §8; 2003 c.662 §46; renumbered 285C.240 in 2003]

 

      285B.731 [Formerly 285.620; 2003 c.662 §50; renumbered 285C.260 in 2003]

 

ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT

 

      285B.740 Legislative intent; delegation of loan program responsibilities; powers of department; loan fees. It is the intent of the Legislative Assembly that in the administration of ORS 285B.740 to 285B.758, the Oregon Business Development Department work closely with regional economic development organizations, community development corporations, small business development centers and organizations that promote and assist minority-owned businesses, woman-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses and emerging small businesses, as those terms are defined in ORS 200.005, and utilize policies, priorities and practices that further entrepreneurial and small business development in rural communities. The department, to the maximum extent feasible and consistent with prudent financial controls, may delegate the administration and operation of the loan program created by ORS 285B.740 to 285B.758 to local and community-based entities. To carry out the policy described in this section:

      (1) The department may contract with any nonprofit corporation or agency with experience and expertise in business finance to administer all or any part of the loan program created by ORS 285B.740 to 285B.758.

      (2) When entering into an agreement for the administration of the loan program by any nonprofit corporation or agency, the department may agree to waive any claims it may have against such corporation or agency for losses arising out of the normal course of business, as long as the corporation or agency does not act negligently or fraudulently in providing loans under ORS 285B.740 to 285B.758.

      (3) When entering into an agreement to have a nonprofit corporation or agency administer the loan program created by ORS 285B.740 to 285B.758, the department may pay loan origination and loan servicing fees to the corporation or agency. The amount of such fees may be determined in the agreement between the department and the administering corporation or agency. [1991 c.688 §12; 2007 c.804 §79; 2009 c.830 §130; 2014 c.3 §2; 2015 c.565 §17; 2023 c.497 §17]

 

      285B.743 Application for entrepreneurial development loan; eligibility; rules. (1) Any individual or business firm may file with the Oregon Business Development Department an application to borrow money from the Oregon Entrepreneurial Development Loan Fund as provided in ORS 285B.740 to 285B.758. The application shall be filed in such a manner and contain or be accompanied by such information as the department may require.

      (2) Upon receipt of an application under this section, the department shall determine whether the applicant is eligible to receive a loan under ORS 285B.740 to 285B.758. The department may adopt rules for processing applications from applicants that are not eligible to receive a loan under this section. [1991 c.688 §7; 2001 c.684 §21; 2007 c.804 §37; 2009 c.830 §131]

 

      285B.746 Conditions for loan approval. (1) The Oregon Business Development Department may approve a loan requested in an application filed under ORS 285B.743 if, after investigation, it finds that:

      (a) The applicant is enrolled in a small business management program with a small business development center or certified entity;

      (b) The applicant has prepared a business plan for the business, which has been reviewed by a small business development center or other entity certified by the department to review business plans; and

      (c) The applicant is not effectively owned or controlled by another business entity or other person that, either by itself or when combined with the applicant, is not eligible for a loan under ORS 285B.740 to 285B.758.

      (2) In addition to the requirements for loan approval described in subsection (1) of this section, in order to obtain a loan under ORS 285B.740 to 285B.758, an applicant must also satisfy one of the following conditions:

      (a) In the 12-month period immediately preceding the date of application, the business may not have had annual revenues that exceeded $1.5 million;

      (b) At the time of application, the business must have fewer than 25 employees;

      (c) The business or proposed business must be owned, in whole or in part, by a person certified as having a severe disability by the Department of Human Services or the Commission for the Blind; or

      (d) The applicant must submit proof to the Oregon Business Development Department that the applicant is a veteran who:

      (A) Has a United States Department of Veterans Affairs total disability rating of at least 70 percent as a result of an injury or illness that the veteran incurred, or that was aggravated, during active military service; and

      (B) Received a discharge or release under other than dishonorable conditions. [1991 c.688 §8; 1997 c.147 §5; 2007 c.70 §72; 2007 c.804 §38; 2009 c.830 §132; 2010 c.106 §§3,7; 2011 c.558 §4; 2019 c.394 §1; 2020 s.s.2 c.10 §§24,25; 2022 c.2 §3]

 

      285B.749 Additional conditions for loan approval; maximum term and amount of loan. (1) The Oregon Business Development Department may approve an entrepreneurial development loan under ORS 285B.740 to 285B.758 if, after investigation, it finds that:

      (a) The loan has a reasonable prospect of repayment from cash flow and collateral and is secured by good and sufficient collateral; and

      (b) The applicant provides equity funds for the project in the form of cash or property in an amount equal to or greater than:

      (A) Fifteen percent of the amount of the project proceeds used for working capital and equipment; or

      (B) Ten percent of the amount of the project proceeds used to acquire real property.

      (2) The department shall determine the amount of the initial loan and any subsequent loan to a borrower from the Oregon Entrepreneurial Development Loan Fund. The total of all loans to any borrower from the fund may not exceed $1 million.

      (3) Entrepreneurial development loans shall be made for a term that does not exceed 10 years at a rate of interest that does not exceed 18 percent per annum. [1991 c.688 §9; 1997 c.147 §6; 2007 c.804 §39; 2009 c.830 §133; 2010 c.106 §§4,8; 2011 c.558 §5; 2014 c.3 §3; 2020 s.s.2 c.10 §§26,27; 2022 c.2 §4]

 

      285B.752 [1991 c.688 §10; 1997 c.147 §7; 2001 c.684 §22; repealed by 2007 c.804 §86]

 

      285B.753 Indexing of annual revenue limit amount and total loan limit amount. (1) Beginning with the 2023 calendar year, the Oregon Business Development Department shall annually adjust the annual revenue limit amount specified in ORS 285B.746 (2)(a) and the total loan limit amount specified in ORS 285B.749 (2) by multiplying each amount by the percentage change in the monthly averaged Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, West Region (All Items), as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor, for the 12 consecutive months ending on the immediately preceding December 31 compared to the monthly averaged Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, West Region (All Items), for the 12 consecutive months ending on December 31, 2021.

      (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section:

      (a) The adjusted annual revenue limit amount specified in ORS 285B.746 (2)(a) may not be less than $1.5 million.

      (b) The adjusted total loan limit amount specified in ORS 285B.749 (2) may not be less than $1 million. [2021 c.20 §6; 2022 c.2 §6]

 

      285B.755 [1991 c.688 §11; 2007 c.70 §73; repealed by 2007 c.804 §86]

 

      285B.758 Oregon Entrepreneurial Development Loan Fund; uses. (1) There is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund, the Oregon Entrepreneurial Development Loan Fund. All moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for the following purposes:

      (a) Administrative costs of the department incurred in processing loan applications, investigating the eligibility of loan applicants and servicing outstanding loans;

      (b) Paying for loan origination and loan servicing by contractors under ORS 285B.740 to 285B.758; and

      (c) Payment of loans to applicants under ORS 285B.740 to 285B.758.

      (2) The Oregon Entrepreneurial Development Loan Fund shall consist of:

      (a) Moneys appropriated to the fund by the Legislative Assembly;

      (b) Interest earned on moneys in the fund; and

      (c) Moneys received as repayment of principal and interest on loans made from the fund under ORS 285B.740 to 285B.758. [1991 c.688 §13; 2009 c.830 §134]

 

ECONOMIC EQUITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM

 

      285B.760 Definitions for ORS 285B.760 to 285B.763. As used in ORS 285B.760 to 285B.763:

      (1) “Culturally responsive services” means services provided by an organization:

      (a) Whose founding mission and goals are aligned with the culture of the individuals, families, businesses and communities receiving the services; and

      (b) That demonstrates intimate knowledge of the lived experience of the individuals, families, businesses and communities receiving the services.

      (2) “Economic equity risk factor” means:

      (a) Experience of discrimination because of race or ethnicity;

      (b) English language proficiency;

      (c) Citizenship status;

      (d) Socioeconomic status; or

      (e) Residence or operation in a rural location. [2022 c.103 §1]

 

      Note: 285B.760 to 285B.763 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 285B or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      285B.761 Economic Equity Investment Program; grants; eligible projects; technical assistance. (1) The Oregon Business Development Department shall develop and implement an Economic Equity Investment Program under which the department shall award grants to organizations that provide culturally responsive services to support economic stability, self-sufficiency, wealth building and economic equity among disadvantaged individuals, families, businesses and communities in this state.

      (2)(a) The department shall prescribe the form and manner in which an organization may apply for a grant under the program.

      (b) An organization’s application must demonstrate a proven ability to provide services as described in subsection (3) of this section.

      (3) Grant moneys shall be awarded to organizations only for proposals to provide outreach, support and resources to individuals, families, businesses or communities whose future is at risk because of any combination of two or more economic equity risk factors in order to improve economic equity as measured by:

      (a) Ownership of land, principal residences and other real property;

      (b) Entrepreneurship;

      (c) Business development;

      (d) Workforce development; and

      (e) Intergenerational wealth building, such as savings, investments and real property equity.

      (4) Upon request, the department shall provide technical assistance to organizations that receive grant moneys under the program and may consult with an organization about the organization’s needs to maintain capacity to carry out the proposal for which the grant moneys were awarded. [2022 c.103 §2]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.760.

 

      285B.762 Biennial evaluations of grantees’ services; report to legislature. (1)(a) The Oregon Business Development Department shall conduct biennial evaluations of the services provided in the preceding 24-month period by organizations that are funded with grant moneys under the Economic Equity Investment Program developed and implemented under ORS 285B.761.

      (b) Each biennial evaluation shall measure the outcomes achieved by such services in light of current research into the measures of economic equity described in ORS 285B.761 (3) and culturally responsive services.

      (2) Not later than September 15 of each even-numbered year, the department shall provide a report, in the manner required under ORS 192.245, to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to economic development, that sets forth:

      (a) The results of the most recent evaluation conducted under subsection (1) of this section;

      (b) The increase in the capacity of the organizations receiving grant moneys to provide the services for which the grants were awarded; and

      (c) Any other information the department considers important to enable the committees to assess the success of the program. [2022 c.103 §3]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.760.

 

      285B.763 Economic Equity Investment Fund. (1) There is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund, the Economic Equity Investment Fund. Interest earned by the Economic Equity Investment Fund shall be credited to the fund.

      (2) All moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for the purposes of developing and implementing the Economic Equity Investment Program under ORS 285B.760 to 285B.763.

      (3) Moneys in the fund shall consist of:

      (a) Moneys appropriated to the fund by the Legislative Assembly;

      (b) Moneys otherwise transferred to the fund by the Legislative Assembly or the Oregon Business Development Department;

      (c) Interest earned upon moneys in the fund; and

      (d) Other moneys or property transferred to the fund from any public or private source.

      (4) The department may accept for deposit in the fund any grant, donation, gift or bequest of moneys or property from any public or private source. [2022 c.103 §4]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.760.

 

DISADVANTAGED AND EMERGING SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM

 

      285B.764 Definitions for ORS 285B.764 to 285B.775. As used in ORS 285B.764 to 285B.775:

      (1) “Eligible business” means one of the following businesses as defined in ORS 200.005 that is operated for profit and has been certified by the Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity under ORS 200.055 at the time an application is referred on behalf of the business to the Oregon Business Development Department under ORS 285B.771:

      (a) A disadvantaged business enterprise;

      (b) A minority-owned business;

      (c) A woman-owned business;

      (d) A veteran-owned business; or

      (e) An emerging small business.

      (2) “Prime rate” means the primary credit rate of the discount window program of the United States Federal Reserve System.

      (3) “Technical assistance provider” means a small business development center established under ORS 285B.165 to 285B.171 or a culturally specific business association or chamber that provides one-on-one business counseling services. [2021 c.676 §11; 2023 c.497 §18]

 

      Note: 285B.764 to 285B.775 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 285B or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      285B.765 [1991 c.688 §6; 1997 c.61 §12; repealed by 2001 c.684 §38]

 

      285B.766 [2001 c.932 §5; renumbered 285C.300 in 2003]

 

      285B.767 [2001 c.932 §6; renumbered 285C.303 in 2003]

 

      285B.768 Oregon Business Development Department to develop and implement loan program; limits and requirements. (1) The Oregon Business Development Department shall develop and implement a program to make loans to eligible businesses.

      (2) Loans made under the program may be for the following amounts:

      (a) For eligible businesses that have operated for less than two years, up to $100,000.

      (b) For eligible businesses that have operated for two years or more, up to $250,000.

      (3)(a) The term of a loan may not exceed 10 years.

      (b)(A) Interest on a loan shall be charged at the prime rate plus two percent.

      (B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the rate of interest may be increased for risk based on the loan-to-value ratio.

      (c) Loans shall be subject to business underwriting standards used in secondary markets.

      (d) To the extent possible, loans must be secured by business and personal assets.

      (e) Loans shall require standard commercial loan documentation, including reasonable provisions related to default that the department may adopt by rule.

      (4) An eligible business may use the proceeds of a loan made pursuant to this section for equipment, inventory, fixtures and working capital or other business-related expenses other than capital costs. [2021 c.676 §12]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.764.

 

      285B.770 [2001 c.932 §7; renumbered 285C.306 in 2003]

 

      285B.771 Application process; assistance from technical assistance provider required; referral of application to Oregon Business Development Department; payment of closing costs; payment of loan proceeds. (1) The Oregon Business Development Department shall prescribe the form and manner in which the owner of an eligible business may apply for a loan under the loan program developed and implemented under ORS 285B.768.

      (2) The application must, at a minimum, require the inclusion of:

      (a) Documentation showing that the business for which application is made is an eligible business;

      (b) A nonrefundable application fee of $200; and

      (c) Any other information or documentation the department requires.

      (3)(a) The owner of an eligible business interested in applying for a loan under the loan program must seek assistance from a technical assistance provider.

      (b) The technical assistance must include a review of the application form and associated documents and other materials for completeness and accuracy.

      (4)(a) If a technical assistance provider determines in its sole discretion that the application of an eligible business is complete and accurate and deserves consideration by the department, the provider shall refer the application to the department.

      (b) If a technical assistance provider refers an application under this section that is approved by the department, the department shall request periodic reports from the provider on the status of the eligible business after receipt of the loan proceeds.

      (c) If a technical assistance provider determines that an application is not complete or accurate or does not deserve to be referred to the department for consideration in its present form, the technical assistance provider may, in its sole discretion, work with the owner of the eligible business to amend the application and application materials.

      (d) The refusal of a technical assistance provider to refer an application to the department under this section does not give rise to a cause of action of any kind.

      (5)(a) After receiving an application referred under this section, the department shall either approve or reject the application and notify the applicant and the technical assistance provider that worked with the applicant of the decision.

      (b)(A) Rejection of the application by the department may be appealed through a process adopted by the department by rule.

      (B) The owner of an eligible business whose application has been finally rejected with no further right of appeal may contact a technical assistance provider to begin a new application process at any time.

      (c) If the department approves the application, the department shall offer a loan agreement to the eligible business on terms that do not conflict with ORS 285B.764 to 285B.775.

      (6) Upon execution of a loan agreement offered pursuant to subsection (5)(c) of this section:

      (a) All third-party expenses that are necessary to close the loan shall be paid:

      (A) By the eligible business; or

      (B) At the sole discretion of the department, out of the loan proceeds.

      (b) Upon payment of third-party expenses under paragraph (a) of this subsection, the department shall pay the balance of the loan proceeds to the eligible business out of funds in the Disadvantaged and Emerging Small Business Loan Fund established under ORS 285B.774. [2021 c.676 §13]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.764.

 

      285B.773 [2001 c.932 §8; renumbered 285C.309 in 2003]

 

      285B.774 Disadvantaged and Emerging Small Business Loan Fund. (1) There is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund, the Disadvantaged and Emerging Small Business Loan Fund. All moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for the purposes of:

      (a) Paying the actual costs of the department in administering the loan program developed and implemented under ORS 285B.764 to 285B.775; and

      (b) Making loans under the loan program developed and implemented under ORS 285B.764 to 285B.775.

      (2) The Disadvantaged and Emerging Small Business Loan Fund shall consist of:

      (a) Moneys appropriated or otherwise allocated or transferred to the fund by the Legislative Assembly;

      (b) Interest earned on moneys in the fund;

      (c) Moneys received as repayment of principal and interest on loans made from the fund under ORS 285B.764 to 285B.775; and

      (d) Moneys or property of any kind received by the department for deposit in the fund from any source. [2021 c.676 §14]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.764.

 

      285B.775 Annual report by Oregon Business Development Department to legislature. (1) On or before September 15 of each year, the Oregon Business Development Department shall submit, in the manner provided in ORS 192.245, to the interim legislative committees related to economic development, a report containing the following information about the loan program developed and implemented under ORS 285B.764 to 285B.775:

      (a) The number of loans made;

      (b) The amounts of the loans made;

      (c) Demographic information about the eligible businesses that received loans that is voluntarily given to the department;

      (d) The number of referrals from technical assistance providers under ORS 285B.771;

      (e) The number of loan applications that were rejected and the reasons for the rejections;

      (f) Demographic information about the eligible businesses whose applications were rejected that is voluntarily given to the department; and

      (g) Any other information the department considers significant in evaluating the loan program.

      (2) The report may include information from periodic reports provided to the department by technical assistance providers under ORS 285B.771 (4)(b). [2021 c.676 §15]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.764.

 

      285B.776 [2001 c.932 §9; renumbered 285C.320 in 2003]

 

LENDERS’ LOAN LOSS RESERVE ACCOUNT AWARD PROGRAM

 

      285B.780 Purpose. It is the purpose of ORS 285B.780 to 285B.799 that the State of Oregon shall make awards to qualified lending institutions to fund lenders’ loan loss reserve accounts for the purpose of increasing lending to business owners and entrepreneurs who currently lack access to capital to start or grow their businesses. [2021 c.676 §1]

 

      Note: 285B.780 to 285B.799 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 285B or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      285B.781 [1997 c.835 §36; 1999 c.1104 §10; 2001 c.292 §1; 2003 c.239 §1; renumbered 285C.400 in 2003]

 

      285B.783 [1997 c.835 §37; 1999 c.1104 §11; 2001 c.292 §2; renumbered 285C.403 in 2003]

 

      285B.784 Definitions for ORS 285B.780 to 285B.799. As used in ORS 285B.780 to 285B.799, unless the context requires otherwise:

      (1) “Loan loss reserve account” or “account” means an account created by a lender for the deposit of moneys awarded to the lender under ORS 285B.787 out of which the lender may reimburse itself for losses incurred due to defaults on qualified loans.

      (2) “Prime rate” means the primary credit rate of the discount window program of the United States Federal Reserve System.

      (3) “Qualified business” or “qualified borrower” means a person that:

      (a) Operates a business in Oregon; or

      (b) Attests to a qualified lender that the person will use proceeds from a qualified loan to establish a business in Oregon.

      (4) “Qualified lender” means a lender that:

      (a) Is certified as a community development financial institution by the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund at the United States Department of the Treasury;

      (b) Is a nonprofit corporation as defined in ORS 307.130;

      (c) Is an economic development district in Oregon designated by the Economic Development Administration of the United States Department of Commerce;

      (d) Is affiliated with a local government as defined in ORS 174.116; and

      (e) Has a physical presence in Oregon and at least five years of lending experience.

      (5)(a) “Qualified loan” means a loan made, or an operating line of credit extended, by a lender to a qualified business for which the principal losses are reimbursable from moneys in the lender’s loan loss reserve account.

      (b) “Qualified loan” does not mean a loan:

      (A) With a variable interest rate.

      (B) With an origination fee that exceeds 1.5 percent, and with an annual interest rate that exceeds the lesser of 18 percent or the prime rate plus 7 percent.

      (C) For working capital for a term exceeding seven years.

      (D) For capital assets for a term exceeding the useful life of the assets.

      (E) That includes, in whole or in part, the refinancing of an existing loan made by the lender to the borrower.

      (F) That includes, in whole or in part, the refinancing of an existing personal loan not used for business purposes.

      (G) For the purchase of real property that is not used for the business operations of the borrower.

      (H) For the purchase of owner-occupied residential housing or for the construction, improvement or purchase of residential housing owned or to be owned by the borrower.

      (6) “RFP” means a request for proposal. [2021 c.676 §2]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.780.

 

      285B.786 [1997 c.835 §38; 1999 c.1104 §12; 2001 c.292 §5; 2003 c.662 §56a; renumbered 285C.409 in 2003]

 

      285B.787 RFP process for awards to lenders; limits; approval criteria. (1)(a) The Oregon Business Development Department shall, in accordance with this section, make awards to lenders to fund the lenders’ loan loss reserve accounts.

      (b) The awards shall be made, through a competitive RFP process administered by the department.

      (c) Of the moneys awarded as a result of any RFP process, not more than 10 percent of available funds may be awarded to any single lender.

      (2) The department shall evaluate proposals according to the following criteria:

      (a) The number and value of loans closed by the lender during the five-year period immediately preceding the date of submission of the lender’s proposal;

      (b) The projected loan production over the performance period of the award, including the projected number of loans, the proposed principal amount of qualified loans that the lender would not make but for the moneys awarded, and the jobs to be created and retained by qualified borrowers;

      (c) How the award would increase the lender’s capacity to make loans to rural or underserved entrepreneurs;

      (d) The past performance of loans made by the lender;

      (e) The extent to which the lender:

      (A) Provides technical assistance and financial literacy services to underserved borrowers; or

      (B) Partners with providers of technical assistance and financial literacy services to underserved borrowers;

      (f) How the lender’s proposed outreach, application process, underwriting criteria and loan terms are designed to reduce historic barriers to borrowers’ access to loan capital;

      (g) How the lender plans to ensure that the loans originated by the lender under the program are made to borrowers in regionally diverse and rural areas of this state; and

      (h) Any other criteria the department considers necessary or useful for evaluating a proposal.

      (3)(a) After reviewing proposals submitted in response to an RFP, the department shall reject or accept proposals and determine the amount awarded for each accepted proposal.

      (b) As soon as practicable after the awards are finalized, the department shall notify the lenders that submitted proposals of the results and offer the awards to the lenders whose proposals are accepted. [2021 c.676 §3]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.780.

 

      285B.789 [2001 c.292 §3; 2003 c.558 §1; 2003 c.662 §57; renumbered 285C.412 in 2003]

 

      285B.790 [2001 c.292 §4; renumbered 285C.415 in 2003]

 

      285B.791 Agreements with lenders; terms; waiver and breach of lender obligations upon borrower default; minimum total loan principal amount. (1) The Oregon Business Development Department shall enter into a written agreement with each lender that accepts an award offered under ORS 285B.787.

      (2) A written agreement entered into pursuant to this section must:

      (a) Provide for the creation of a loan loss reserve account by the lender for the deposit of moneys awarded under ORS 285B.787 out of which the lender may be reimbursed for principal losses incurred due to defaults on qualified loans;

      (b) Provide that, notwithstanding ORS chapter 293 or 295, the lender shall establish and maintain the loan loss reserve account with a financial institution, as defined in ORS 706.008, in accordance with such policies as the department may adopt;

      (c) Require the lender to designate, when a loan is made, whether the loan is a qualified loan;

      (d) Provide that, upon default on a qualified loan, the lender shall, subject to subsection (3) of this section, liquidate the borrower’s assets and exhaust all lawful remedies for the benefit of the lender before the lender may recover the outstanding principal balance of the loan from the lender’s loan loss reserve account;

      (e) Provide that the liability of the State of Oregon and the department under the written agreement is limited to the amount of moneys awarded and credited to the lender’s loan loss reserve account; and

      (f) Require the lender to file an annual report in accordance with ORS 285B.794.

      (3)(a) Notwithstanding the requirement under subsection (2)(d) of this section to liquidate a borrower’s assets and exhaust all lawful remedies, the department, upon request of a lender, may waive the lender’s obligations under subsection (2)(d) of this section if:

      (A) The original principal amount of the loan was not greater than $25,000; and

      (B) The borrower had a personal net worth not greater than $75,000 at both the time of application and the time of default.

      (b) A lender that does not comply with subsection (2)(d) of this section or paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be considered to have breached the written agreement the lender entered into pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. The department, at its sole discretion, may take assignment of the loan and pursue collection efforts under subsection (2)(d) of this section.

      (4) Qualified lenders that accept awards under ORS 285B.787 shall, within 10 years following the date on which the written agreement entered into pursuant to subsection (1) of this section becomes binding, originate qualified loans with a total principal amount equal to at least four times the amount of the moneys awarded. [2021 c.676 §4]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.780.

 

      285B.793 [1997 c.835 §39; 1999 c.1104 §13; 2001 c.292 §6; renumbered 285C.420 in 2003]

 

      285B.794 Annual report by lenders. (1) Not later than July 31 of each year, each lender awarded moneys under ORS 285B.787 shall, during the term of the written agreement entered into under ORS 285B.791, provide a report to the Oregon Business Development Department, on a form prescribed by the department, for the period beginning on July 1 of the immediately preceding year and ending on June 30 of the current year.

      (2) With respect to qualified loans made by the lender, the report shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:

      (a) The number and total principal amount of all qualified loans made by the lender;

      (b) For each qualified loan, the following information:

      (A) The term and amortization of the loan; and

      (B) The purpose of the loan;

      (c) The number of loans that were declined and the primary reasons for declining them; and

      (d) Any other information required under rules adopted by the department.

      (3) With respect to qualified borrowers, the report shall set forth:

      (a) The businesses that qualified borrowers conduct in this state;

      (b) The cities and counties in which qualified borrowers use the qualified loan proceeds;

      (c) The number of individuals employed by the qualified businesses;

      (d) Demographic data voluntarily reported by qualified borrowers, including, but not limited to, whether a qualified business is owned by a woman, a minority individual, a veteran of any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, the National Guard or other reserve component, a low income person or a person operating the business in a rural area of this state; and

      (e) Outreach conducted by the lender to rural and underserved communities.

      (4) The department may require any lender to include in the report financial information that is identifiable with, or from, the financial records of a borrower. [2021 c.676 §5]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.780.

 

      285B.796 [2001 c.292 §7; 2003 c.662 §59; renumbered 285C.406 in 2003]

 

      285B.797 Release of lender and use of balance in account; repayment of balance. (1)(a) A lender shall be released from any obligation under a written agreement entered into under ORS 285B.791, and may use for any purpose whatever any balance in the lender’s loan loss reserve account, if the lender has:

      (A) Performed under the written agreement entered into with the Oregon Business Development Department for at least 10 years;

      (B) Attained during the 10-year period, as required under ORS 285B.791 (3), a ratio of four-to-one of total principal amount of qualified loans made by the lender to the amount of moneys awarded to the lender under ORS 285B.787; and

      (C) Complied with the annual reporting requirements under ORS 285B.794.

      (b) A release under this section does not absolve a lender of any contractual obligations owed to a qualified borrower under a qualified loan agreement.

      (2) A lender shall repay to the department for deposit in the General Fund the balance of moneys awarded to the lender under ORS 285B.787 in the lender’s loan loss reserve account if the department determines that:

      (a) The lender has not made a qualified loan for 24 consecutive months;

      (b) The lender has become insolvent or has ceased lending operations in Oregon;

      (c) The lender has failed to perform in any material way under the written agreement entered into with the department pursuant to ORS 285B.791;

      (d) The lender made material misrepresentations in the RFP submitted under ORS 285B.787 or in an annual report required under ORS 285B.794; or

      (e) The lender or the lender’s loan loss reserve account portfolio has been sold, transferred or assigned, in whole or part. [2021 c.676 §6]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.780.

 

      285B.799 Biennial report by Oregon Business Development Department to legislature. On or before September 15 of each even-numbered year, the Oregon Business Development Department shall submit, in the manner required under ORS 192.245, to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to economic development, a report that sets forth the following information:

      (1) The number and total dollar amount of RFPs received under ORS 285B.787;

      (2) The number of awards and the amount of moneys awarded under ORS 285B.787;

      (3) Information described in ORS 285B.787 (2)(b) from the approved proposals;

      (4) Aggregated lender and qualified borrower data, including demographic data reported by lenders under ORS 285B.794 (3)(d);

      (5) The aggregate performance of qualified loans;

      (6) The average interest rate, term and amount of qualified loans;

      (7) The cities and counties in which qualified borrowers use the qualified loan proceeds; and

      (8) Any other information the department considers necessary or useful to include in the report. [2021 c.676 §7]

 

      Note: See note under 285B.780.

 

      Note: Section 9, chapter 676, Oregon Laws 2021, provides:

      Sec. 9. Program evaluation by legislature; recommendations. (1) Not later than September 15, 2029, the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to economic development shall evaluate the effectiveness of the lenders’ loan loss reserve account program established under sections 1 to 7 of this 2021 Act [285B.780 to 285B.799] and develop recommendations for legislation, including appropriations.

      (2) In making the evaluation under subsection (1) of this section, the interim committees shall:

      (a) Consult with the Oregon Business Development Department and with lenders that have entered into written agreements with the department under section 4 of this 2021 Act [285B.791] and made qualified loans and with any other persons the interim committees consider necessary or useful; and

      (b) Consider the biennial reports submitted by the department under section 7 of this 2021 Act [285B.799] and any other information the interim committees consider necessary or useful. [2021 c.676 §9]

 

      285B.825 [2001 c.888 §2; renumbered 285C.450 in 2003]

 

      285B.827 [2001 c.888 §3; renumbered 285C.453 in 2003]

 

      285B.830 [2001 c.888 §4; renumbered 285C.456 in 2003]

 

      285B.833 [2001 c.888 §5; renumbered 285C.459 in 2003]

 

      285B.836 [2001 c.888 §6; renumbered 285C.480 in 2003]

 

      285B.839 [2001 c.888 §7; 2003 c.773 §53; renumbered 285C.465 in 2003]

 

      285B.842 [2001 c.888 §8; renumbered 285C.468 in 2003]

 

      285B.845 [2001 c.888 §9; renumbered 285C.471 in 2003]

 

      285B.848 [2001 c.888 §10; renumbered 285C.462 in 2003]

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