ORS 401.551
Emergency preparedness equipment grant program

  • rules

(1)

As used in this section:

(a)

“Emergency” has the meaning given that term in ORS 401.025 (Definitions for ORS chapter 401).

(b)

“Maintain” means to repair, perform upkeep on and otherwise keep in good working condition.

(c)

“Preparedness equipment” means equipment, vehicles or other personal property that:

(A)

May be used to decrease the risk to life and property resulting from an emergency; and

(B)

Qualifies as a capital asset eligible for financing with tax-exempt bonds.

(d)

“Qualified applicant” means an entity that has responsibility for or expertise in emergency preparedness and that is a local government, a special government body, a federally recognized Indian tribe in Oregon or a private organization qualified for federal tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(e)

“Recipient” means an entity that applies for and receives preparedness equipment, or funds to purchase preparedness equipment, under the grant program described in subsection (3) of this section.

(f)

“Tax-exempt bond” means a bond, as defined in ORS 286A.001 (Definitions for ORS chapter 286A), the receipt of interest on which is excluded from gross income under the Internal Revenue Code or that is eligible for a federal interest subsidy payment or other tax-advantaged status.

(2)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

The Oregon Homeland Security Council shall develop a list of preparedness equipment that is needed throughout this state to address deficiencies in the ability of the state to respond to local and regional emergencies.

(b)

In developing, updating and revising the list, the council shall consult and coordinate with the Oregon Department of Emergency Management and with county officials who are responsible for emergency management.

(c)

The council shall assign a priority level to each type of preparedness equipment on the list as described in this paragraph:

(A)

Preparedness equipment that is necessary, in the determination of the council, to equip urban search and rescue teams must be included in the highest priority level.

(B)

In assigning priority levels to other types of preparedness equipment, the council shall take into consideration, without limitation, the types of emergency that are most likely to occur in different regions of this state and the types of preparedness equipment that offer the highest ratio of utility to cost.

(d)

The council shall periodically update and revise the list, including the assigned priority levels.

(3)

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management shall develop and administer a grant program to distribute preparedness equipment, or funds to purchase preparedness equipment, to recipients throughout this state. Pursuant to the grant program:

(a)

Qualified applicants may request preparedness equipment that is identified on the list described in subsection (2) of this section. Applicants must demonstrate a need for the specific preparedness equipment requested, the ability to maintain the preparedness equipment and the ability to use the preparedness equipment to address deficiencies in local or regional emergency preparedness.

(b)

The department shall identify which requests from applicants, if fulfilled, will maximize the state’s ability to respond to an emergency, taking into account considerations that include but are not limited to:

(A)

The level of priority assigned to the requested preparedness equipment type pursuant to subsection (2) of this section;

(B)

The level of need for the requested preparedness equipment as demonstrated by the applicant;

(C)

The ability to use and maintain the preparedness equipment as demonstrated by the applicant;

(D)

The types of emergency most likely to occur in the region where the applicant is located; and

(E)

Whether the applicant has an alternative means of acquiring the requested preparedness equipment.

(c)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(A)

Subject to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the department shall issue grants to applicants identified under paragraph (b) of this subsection after entering into grant agreements with the applicants as provided in paragraph (e) of this subsection. The department may either purchase the requested preparedness equipment for distribution to a recipient or disburse funds to the recipient for the purchase of the requested preparedness equipment.

(B)

For the purpose of equipping urban search and rescue teams, the department shall prioritize requests made by applicants that are capable, at the time of application, of deploying urban search and rescue teams.

(d)

The Public Contracting Code does not apply to the acquisition of preparedness equipment by the department or by a recipient pursuant to this section. When acquiring preparedness equipment pursuant to this section, the department and recipients shall use procurement methods that are impartial and transparent to the greatest extent feasible and are designed to maximize value to the State of Oregon.

(e)

The department may not disburse preparedness equipment or funds under this section unless the department and the intended recipient first enter into a grant agreement. The grant agreement:

(A)

Shall require the recipient to maintain the preparedness equipment.

(B)

Shall provide that, if a recipient fails to adequately maintain preparedness equipment, the recipient must relinquish possession of the preparedness equipment or reimburse the department for the cost of the preparedness equipment.

(C)

Shall specify that the department may conduct periodic inspections of the preparedness equipment as described in paragraph (f) of this subsection.

(D)

Shall specify that preparedness equipment distributed to the recipient remains the property of the department until it is fully depreciated under governmental accounting principles, after which the department may offer the preparedness equipment for sale to the recipient at its fair market value at the time of sale.

(E)

May permit the recipient to use the preparedness equipment for any purpose, governmental or otherwise, that is permissible for assets financed with tax-exempt bonds, including nonemergency purposes.

(F)

Shall require private organizations to obtain approval from the department before making any use of preparedness equipment that is outside the scope of the purpose of the private organization as stated in the formation documents or bylaws of the organization.

(G)

Shall require the recipient to take action or refrain from action as necessary to maintain federal tax benefits related to any tax-exempt bonds that are used to fund the grant and to indemnify the State of Oregon for any costs, expenses or liability due to loss of such federal tax benefits caused by action or inaction of the recipient.

(f)

The department shall conduct periodic inspections of preparedness equipment distributed or purchased through the grant program to ensure that recipients are adequately maintaining the preparedness equipment. If the department finds that any preparedness equipment is not adequately maintained, the department may take possession of the preparedness equipment or require the recipient to reimburse the department for the cost of the preparedness equipment.

(g)

The department may transfer between recipients, dispose of or otherwise manage the preparedness equipment as the department determines is in the best interests of meeting the emergency preparedness needs of the State of Oregon. If the department disposes of preparedness equipment for any reason, including sale to a recipient as provided in paragraph (e)(D) of this subsection, the department shall deposit any moneys it receives from the disposal in the Resiliency Grant Fund established under ORS 401.552 (Resiliency Grant Fund).

(4)

On or before December 31 of each year, the department shall submit a report to the Legislative Assembly and to the Oregon Homeland Security Council that describes the administration and effectiveness of the grant program established under this section and the current prioritized list of preparedness equipment types.

(5)

The department shall adopt rules to administer and implement the provisions of this section. [2017 c.657 §1; 2019 c.89 §1; 2021 c.454 §2; 2021 c.539 §38a]
Note: The amendments to 401.551 (Emergency preparedness equipment grant program) by section 38a, chapter 539, Oregon Laws 2021, become operative July 1, 2022. See section 155, chapter 539, Oregon Laws 2021. The text that is operative until July 1, 2022, including amendments by section 2, chapter 454, Oregon Laws 2021, is set forth for the user’s convenience.
401.551 (Emergency preparedness equipment grant program). (1) As used in this section:

(a)

“Emergency” has the meaning given that term in ORS 401.025 (Definitions for ORS chapter 401).

(b)

“Maintain” means to repair, perform upkeep on and otherwise keep in good working condition.

(c)

“Preparedness equipment” means equipment, vehicles or other personal property that:

(A)

May be used to decrease the risk to life and property resulting from an emergency; and

(B)

Qualifies as a capital asset eligible for financing with tax-exempt bonds.

(d)

“Qualified applicant” means an entity that has responsibility for or expertise in emergency preparedness and that is a local government, a special government body, a federally recognized Indian tribe in Oregon or a private organization qualified for federal tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(e)

“Recipient” means an entity that applies for and receives preparedness equipment, or funds to purchase preparedness equipment, under the grant program described in subsection (3) of this section.

(f)

“Tax-exempt bond” means a bond, as defined in ORS 286A.001 (Definitions for ORS chapter 286A), the receipt of interest on which is excluded from gross income under the Internal Revenue Code or that is eligible for a federal interest subsidy payment or other tax-advantaged status.

(2)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

The Oregon Homeland Security Council shall develop a list of preparedness equipment that is needed throughout this state to address deficiencies in the ability of the state to respond to local and regional emergencies.

(b)

In developing the list, the council shall consult and coordinate with the Office of Emergency Management and with county officials who are responsible for emergency management.

(c)

The council shall assign a priority level to each type of preparedness equipment on the list as described in this paragraph:

(A)

Preparedness equipment that is necessary, in the determination of the council, to equip urban search and rescue teams must be included in the highest priority level.

(B)

In assigning priority levels to other types of preparedness equipment, the council shall take into consideration, without limitation, the types of emergency that are most likely to occur in different regions of this state and the types of preparedness equipment that offer the highest ratio of utility to cost.

(d)

The council shall periodically update and revise the list, including the assigned priority levels.

(3)

The Office of Emergency Management shall develop and administer a grant program to distribute preparedness equipment, or funds to purchase preparedness equipment, to recipients throughout this state. Pursuant to the grant program:

(a)

Qualified applicants may request preparedness equipment that is identified on the list described in subsection (2) of this section. Applicants must demonstrate a need for the specific preparedness equipment requested, the ability to maintain the preparedness equipment and the ability to use the preparedness equipment to address deficiencies in local or regional emergency preparedness.

(b)

The office shall identify which requests from applicants, if fulfilled, will maximize the state’s ability to respond to an emergency, taking into account considerations that include but are not limited to:

(A)

The level of priority assigned to the requested preparedness equipment type pursuant to subsection (2) of this section;

(B)

The level of need for the requested preparedness equipment as demonstrated by the applicant;

(C)

The ability to use and maintain the preparedness equipment as demonstrated by the applicant;

(D)

The types of emergency most likely to occur in the region where the applicant is located; and

(E)

Whether the applicant has an alternative means of acquiring the requested preparedness equipment.

(c)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(A)

Subject to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the office shall issue grants to applicants identified under paragraph (b) of this subsection after entering into grant agreements with the applicants as provided in paragraph (e) of this subsection. The office may either purchase the requested preparedness equipment for distribution to a recipient or disburse funds to the recipient for the purchase of the requested preparedness equipment.

(B)

For the purpose of equipping urban search and rescue teams, the office shall prioritize requests made by applicants that are capable, at the time of application, of deploying urban search and rescue teams.

(d)

The Public Contracting Code does not apply to the acquisition of preparedness equipment by the office or by a recipient pursuant to this section. When acquiring preparedness equipment pursuant to this section, the office and recipients shall use procurement methods that are impartial and transparent to the greatest extent feasible and are designed to maximize value to the State of Oregon.

(e)

The office may not disburse preparedness equipment or funds under this section unless the office and the intended recipient first enter into a grant agreement. The grant agreement:

(A)

Shall require the recipient to maintain the preparedness equipment.

(B)

Shall provide that, if a recipient fails to adequately maintain preparedness equipment, the recipient must relinquish possession of the preparedness equipment or reimburse the office for the cost of the preparedness equipment.

(C)

Shall specify that the office may conduct periodic inspections of the preparedness equipment as described in paragraph (f) of this subsection.

(D)

Shall specify that preparedness equipment distributed to the recipient remains the property of the office until it is fully depreciated under governmental accounting principles, after which the office may offer the preparedness equipment for sale to the recipient at its fair market value at the time of sale.

(E)

May permit the recipient to use the preparedness equipment for any purpose, governmental or otherwise, that is permissible for assets financed with tax-exempt bonds, including nonemergency purposes.

(F)

Shall require private organizations to obtain approval from the office before making any use of preparedness equipment that is outside the scope of the purpose of the private organization as stated in the formation documents or bylaws of the organization.

(G)

Shall require the recipient to take action or refrain from action as necessary to maintain federal tax benefits related to any tax-exempt bonds that are used to fund the grant and to indemnify the State of Oregon for any costs, expenses or liability due to loss of such federal tax benefits caused by action or inaction of the recipient.

(f)

The office shall conduct periodic inspections of preparedness equipment distributed or purchased through the grant program to ensure that recipients are adequately maintaining the preparedness equipment. If the office finds that any preparedness equipment is not adequately maintained, the office may take possession of the preparedness equipment or require the recipient to reimburse the office for the cost of the preparedness equipment.

(g)

The office may transfer between recipients, dispose of or otherwise manage the preparedness equipment as it determines is in the best interests of meeting the emergency preparedness needs of the State of Oregon. If the office disposes of preparedness equipment for any reason, including sale to a recipient as provided in paragraph (e)(D) of this subsection, the office shall deposit any moneys it receives from the disposal in the Resiliency Grant Fund established under ORS 401.552 (Resiliency Grant Fund).

(4)

On or before December 31 of each year, the office shall submit a report to the Legislative Assembly and to the Oregon Homeland Security Council that describes the administration and effectiveness of the grant program established under this section and the current prioritized list of preparedness equipment types.

(5)

The office shall adopt rules to administer and implement the provisions of this section.
Note: 401.551 (Emergency preparedness equipment grant program) was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 401 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

Source: Section 401.551 — Emergency preparedness equipment grant program; rules, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors401.­html.

401.025
Definitions for ORS chapter 401
401.032
Statement of policy and purpose
401.035
Responsibility for emergency services systems
401.052
Responsibilities of Oregon Department of Emergency Management
401.054
Liaisons with Oregon Department of Emergency Management
401.062
Oregon Department of Emergency Management
401.072
Appointment of deputy director
401.076
Rules
401.082
Advisory and technical committees
401.088
Interagency agreements
401.092
Duties of director
401.094
System for notification of emergencies
401.096
Federal grants for emergency management and services
401.109
Oregon Homeland Security Council
401.114
Emergency preparedness functions
401.165
Declaration of state of emergency
401.168
Governor’s powers during state of emergency
401.175
Additional powers during emergency
401.178
Removal of disaster debris or wreckage
401.185
Providing temporary housing during emergency
401.186
Waiver of waiting period for unemployment benefits
401.188
Management of resources during emergency
401.192
Effect of rules and orders during emergency
401.198
Seizure of firearms during emergency
401.204
Termination of state of emergency
401.232
Federal financial assistance to political subdivision
401.234
Federal financial assistance to individuals or families
401.236
Rules
401.239
First informers
401.256
Oregon Safety Assessment Program
401.305
Emergency management agency of city, county or tribal government
401.307
Emergency management agency appropriation
401.309
Declaration of state of emergency by city or county
401.315
City or county authorized to incur obligations for emergency services
401.335
Temporary housing for disaster victims
401.341
Building inspections by private qualified professionals
401.358
Definitions for ORS 401.358 to 401.368
401.362
Application
401.364
Coverage under Oregon Tort Claims Act
401.368
Workers’ compensation benefits
401.378
Leaves of absence for certified disaster relief volunteers
401.505
Acceptance of aid for emergency services
401.525
Use of moneys and property for emergency services authorized
401.532
Oregon Pre-Disaster Mitigation Fund
401.534
Oregon Disaster Response Fund
401.536
Oregon Local Disaster Assistance Loan and Grant Account
401.551
Emergency preparedness equipment grant program
401.552
Resiliency Grant Fund
401.651
Definitions for ORS 401.651 to 401.670
401.654
Registry of emergency health care providers
401.655
Practice by out-of-state health care provider during emergency
401.656
Provision of health care services by members of Oregon National Guard during emergency
401.657
Emergency health care facility
401.658
Provision of health care services by former health care provider during emergency
401.661
Provision of health care services after declaration of emergency
401.664
Emergency operations plan
401.667
Coverage under Oregon Tort Claims Act
401.670
Rules
401.680
Legislative findings
401.685
Definitions
401.690
Exemption from certain taxes, registration and licensing requirements
401.695
Reporting by registered business to Oregon Department of Administrative Services
401.851
Wildfire planning and coordination
401.900
State and local agency earthquake drills
401.902
Private employer earthquake drills
401.904
Rules
401.910
Grant program for seismic rehabilitation of certain facilities
401.913
State Resilience Officer
401.915
Seismic Safety Policy Advisory Commission
401.918
Mission of commission
401.920
Officers
401.922
Support services
401.925
Advisory and technical committees
401.930
Assignment by Governor of local resources under direction of State Fire Marshal
401.932
Powers and duties of local personnel acting under direction of State Fire Marshal
401.935
Liability for expenses incurred and for loss or damage to local equipment
401.938
Liability for expenses incurred using local personnel
401.940
Immunity from liability for local personnel acting in line of duty
401.950
Definitions
401.952
Uniform tsunami warning signal
401.955
Contributions to finance tsunami warning system
401.960
Definitions for ORS 401.960, 401.962, 401.965 and 401.970
401.962
Legislative findings
401.965
Abnormal disruption of market
401.970
Applicability of remedies
401.975
Legislative findings
401.977
Animal emergency operations plan
401.978
Livestock emergency operations plan
401.990
Penalties
Green check means up to date. Up to date