and 279A.250 to 279A.290.

279A.161 and 279A.250 to 279A.290.

����� (3) The mission of the authority is to establish ownership, oversight and management of the Willamette Falls Locks project, for the purposes of:

����� (a) Enhancing the economic vitality of Oregon through facilitating the resiliency and navigability of the Willamette River; and

����� (b) Repairing, maintaining, upgrading and operating the Willamette Falls Locks project and associated properties and facilities for commercial, transportation, recreational, cultural, historic, heritage and tourism purposes.

����� (4) The authority shall carry out the purposes described in this section and the duties of the authority under ORS 196.200 to 196.240 and 196.993 in the manner that, in the determination of the authority, best promotes and implements the mission of the authority. Subject to any limitations established under ORS 196.200 to 196.240 and 196.993, the authority may take any necessary or expedient actions to:

����� (a) Enter into any agreements as necessary or expedient to perform any authorized function of the authority, including but not limited to any agreements with the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) for the United States Army Corps of Engineers or other public or private entities to:

����� (A) Establish ownership by the authority of the Willamette Falls Locks project;

����� (B) Repair, maintain, upgrade and operate the Willamette Falls Locks project and associated property and facilities; and

����� (C) Provide for the training of personnel in operation of the navigation channel and locks;

����� (b) Ensure the financial viability of the authority;

����� (c) Promote the Willamette Falls Locks project to industries related to or interested in the authority�s business operations, properties or facilities; and

����� (d) Undertake improvements and maintenance activities, including dredging and channelization activities as the authority determines are necessary or expedient to ensure the continued operation and utility of the Willamette Falls Locks project as a navigation facility. [2021 c.229 �2]

����� Note: See note under 196.200.

����� 196.210 Membership of authority. (1) The Willamette Falls Locks Authority shall consist of no fewer than seven and no more than 11 individuals appointed by the Governor. An authority member holds office for a term of four years but may be removed at any time at the pleasure of the Governor. Members are eligible for reappointment. Prior to the expiration of the term of a member, the Governor shall appoint a successor. If a member position becomes vacant for any reason, the Governor shall appoint a successor to fill the unexpired term.

����� (2) A member of the authority must be a citizen of the United States and may not be an employee of the authority. In appointing members to the authority, the Governor shall consult with the employees of the authority, if any, and shall endeavor to appoint members with experience or expertise in a variety of subjects related to the mission and purposes of the authority or with other experience or expertise that the Governor determines are important to the success of the authority. The Governor shall consider for appointment, but need not be limited to appointing, representatives of:

����� (a) Federally recognized Oregon Indian Tribes with treaty interests in the Willamette Falls area;

����� (b) Regional or municipal governments;

����� (c) The maritime industry;

����� (d) The tourism industry;

����� (e) Persons with experience in finance, marketing or economic development;

����� (f) Adjacent property owners; or

����� (g) Abutting energy facilities.

����� (3) The authority shall elect one member as chairperson and one member as vice chairperson, with terms, duties and powers as determined by the authority. The authority shall adopt bylaws establishing the required frequency of meetings and quorum requirements.

����� (4) A member of the authority is not entitled to compensation, but may be reimbursed as provided by the policies and procedures of the authority for any actual and necessary travel and other expenses incurred by the member in the performance of the member�s official duties.

����� (5) Four members of the Legislative Assembly shall act as a nonvoting observers and advisors to the authority and shall be appointed as follows:

����� (a) One shall be appointed by the President of the Senate from among members of the Senate;

����� (b) One shall be appointed by the Senate Minority Leader from among members of the Senate;

����� (c) One shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives from among members of the House of Representatives; and

����� (d) One shall be appointed by the House Minority Leader from among members of the House of Representatives.

����� (6) The members of the Legislative Assembly selected under subsection (5) of this section may not exercise any power, right or privilege of a member of the authority. [2021 c.229 �3]

����� Note: See note under 196.200.

����� 196.215 Executive director; status of director and employees. (1) The Willamette Falls Locks Authority shall appoint an executive director. The executive director is the executive officer of the authority responsible for day-to-day operations. Subject to the supervision of the authority, the executive director is authorized to direct the affairs of the authority. The executive director serves at the discretion of the authority and shall perform such duties as the authority prescribes.

����� (2) The executive director may employ subordinate employees as the executive director deems reasonable for carrying out business operations and the operation of the properties and facilities of the authority, including but not limited to the operation and maintenance of the Willamette Falls Locks project. The executive director may delegate any duty, function or power of the executive director to a subordinate employee except as otherwise prescribed by the authority.

����� (3) The members of the authority, the executive director and the employees of the authority are not state employees and are not eligible for participation in state employee health benefit plans, state employee deferred compensation plans or the Public Employees Retirement System. The authority shall determine the compensation and benefit package for the executive director and other employees of the authority. For purposes of any laws applicable to the authority as a public corporation, including but not limited to ORS 30.260 to 30.300, the members of the authority, the executive director and the employees of the authority are officers and employees of a public body.

����� (4) The authority and a state agency may enter into agreements for the state agency to provide support services to the authority. If a state agency provides support services to the authority, the state agency must provide the support services at the rate that the state agency would charge to other state agencies for the services.

����� (5) The authority may invest in the investment pool described in ORS 294.805. For purposes of ORS