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83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
A-Engrossed
House Bill 2858
Ordered by the House April 15
Including House Amendments dated April 15
Sponsored by Representative EVANS; Representative BOICE (Presession filed.)
SUMMARY
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject
to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor’s brief statement of the essential features of the
measure. The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability standards.
Digest: The Act creates new systems and structures to plan and improve emergency response
in the state. (Flesch Readability Score: 68.9).
Creates statewide preparedness offices in the Oregon Department of Administrative Services and
the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. Imposes duties on the offices re-
lating to statewide coordination of emergency management.
[Creates the Commission on Statewide Intergovernmental Emergency Response Training Facilities
and Programming. Directs the commission to develop and carry out a strategic plan for investments to
improve statewide emergency preparedness.]
Authorizes issuance of lottery bonds to make grants for public safety projects.
Creates the Statewide Regional Training Office within the Department of Public Safety Stan-
dards and Training. Directs the office to manage and operate facilities for emergency response
training.
[Creates the Task Force on Twenty-first Century Emergency Management Local Governance. Di-
rects the task force to evaluate models for conducting local and regional emergency management oper-
ations.]
Requires all state agencies to designate employees to act as liaisons for emergency management
operations or for preparing continuity of governance plans.
Requires each county to submit biennial reports on the state of the county’s emergency
preparedness.
Delays the date on which responsibility for management of the emergency notification
system is transferred to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management.
Declares an emergency, effective on passage.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to emergency management; creating new provisions; amending ORS 401.913 and section
155b, chapter 539, Oregon Laws 2021; and declaring an emergency.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SPARTICIS
SECTION 1. (1) The Oregon Statewide Preparedness Authority for Response Training and
Intergovernmental Continuity of Imperative Services is established as an office within the
Oregon Department of Administrative Services. The office is to be known as and may be
cited as SPARTICIS.
(2) The office is under the supervision and control of the State Resilience Officer, who
is responsible for the performance of the duties, functions and powers of the office.
(3) For purposes of administration, the State Resilience Officer may organize and reor-
ganize the office and appoint administrative personnel as the State Resilience Officer con-
siders necessary to properly conduct the work of the office.
NOTE:Matter in boldfaced type in an amended section is new; matter [italic and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted.
New sections are in boldfaced type.
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(4) The State Resilience Officer may divide the functions of the office into administrative
divisions. The State Resilience Officer may appoint an individual to administer each division.
The administrator of each division serves at the pleasure of the State Resilience Officer and
is not subject to the provisions of ORS chapter 240. Each individual appointed under this
subsection must be well qualified by technical training and experience in the functions to be
performed by the individual.
(5) The office shall:
(a) Provide administrative and operational support for the development of strategic im-
provements in facilities and programming;
(b) Provide oversight for prioritization of funding associated with emergency-related
equipment and functions implemented throughout the state;
(c) Provide standardization across state agencies for continuity of governance planning,
exercises and preparedness;
(d) Serve as a platform for development, implementation and assessment of policies
adopted by the State Resilience Officer and provide administrative and operational support
as directed by the State Resilience Officer;
(e) Carry out the duties imposed by sections 2 to 11 of this 2025 Act; and
(f) Perform such other duties as may be assigned to the office.
(6) The office shall periodically report to the Legislative Assembly on the office’s activ-
ities, priorities and project outcomes.
(7) The office may adopt rules as necessary to carry out its duties.
SECTION 2. (1) SPARTICIS shall oversee state strategy relating to regional facilities and
capacity related to emergency preparedness.
(2) The office shall identify, prioritize and assist in obtaining funding for projects to
construct or improve regional facilities.
(3) The office shall ensure that the state has a combination of fixed, mobile and trans-
portable supplies that is appropriate for emergency management purposes.
(4) The office shall make expenditures, including grants to local governments, as defined
in ORS 174.116, and private entities, that are consistent with the goal of enhancing regional
facilities related to emergency management. The office may condition grants on matching
contributions or other contributions from recipients.
(5) The office shall monitor the progress of all projects overseen by the office under this
section and publish quarterly reports on such progress.
(6) The office shall provide administrative support as necessary to other interagency or
intergovernmental bodies related to emergency management.
SECTION 3.The Regional Facilities Account is established in the State Treasury, sepa-
rate and distinct from the General Fund.The account consists of moneys appropriated, al-
located, deposited or transferred to the account by the Legislative Assembly or otherwise.
Moneys in the account are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Department of Admin-
istrative Services for SPARTICIS to carry out the provisions of section 2 of this 2025 Act.
SECTION 4. (1) SPARTICIS shall oversee collaboration, cooperation and coordination
between the state and:
(a) Organizations involved in the development, implementation and sustainment of the
emergency supplies and equipment stockpile plan described in ORS 401.111;
(b) Organizations involved in the development, implementation and sustainment of the
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emergency preparedness equipment grant program described in ORS 401.551; and
(c) Organizations involved in other stockpile or resilience grant programs carried out by
state agencies.
(2) The office may take actions as necessary to ensure that supplies, equipment and other
materials are appropriately staged in preparation for emergencies.
(3) The office shall monitor the progress of all projects overseen by the office under this
section and publish quarterly reports on such progress.
SECTION 5. The Regional Stockpile Support Account is established in the State Treasury,
separate and distinct from the General Fund. The account consists of moneys appropriated,
allocated, deposited or transferred to the account by the Legislative Assembly or otherwise.
Moneys in the account are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Department of Admin-
istrative Services for SPARTICIS to carry out the provisions of section 4 of this 2025 Act.
SECTION 6.(1) SPARTICIS shall enhance the emergency preparedness of this state
through education and training as described in this section.
(2) The office shall collaborate, cooperate and coordinate with appropriate private and
public entities with responsibility for the emergency support functions identified by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency to develop regionally specific public safety educa-
tion, live exercises and training with the goal of improving statewide emergency
preparedness.
(3) The office shall develop, or support the development of, multidisciplinary, all-hazards
emergency response training and exercises.
(4) The office shall monitor the progress of all projects overseen by the office under this
section and publish quarterly reports on such progress.
SECTION 7.The Regional Training Account is established in the State Treasury, separate
and distinct from the General Fund.The account consists of moneys appropriated, allocated,
deposited or transferred to the account by the Legislative Assembly or otherwise. Moneys
in the account are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Department of Administrative
Services for SPARTICIS to carry out the provisions of section 6 of this 2025 Act.
SECTION 8.(1) SPARTICIS shall collaborate, cooperate and coordinate with state agen-
cies and local governments to develop and standardize measures for continuity of governance
during and after an emergency that affects normal government operations.
(2) The office shall develop training for state agencies and local governments related to
continuity of governance. The office may perform evaluations of continuity of governance
measures adopted by state agencies and local governments.
(3) The office shall monitor development of continuity of governance measures by state
agencies and local governments and publish quarterly reports on such development until the
office determines that sufficient measures are in place statewide.
(4) The office may provide administrative and operational support for policies, programs
and initiatives of the State Resilience Officer related to continuity of governance.
SECTION 9.The Statewide Continuity of Governance Account is established in the State
Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. The account consists of moneys ap-
propriated, allocated, deposited or transferred to the account by the Legislative Assembly
or otherwise. Moneys in the account are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Depart-
ment of Administrative Services for SPARTICIS to carry out the provisions of section 8 of
this 2025 Act.
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SECTION 10. (1) SPARTICIS shall collaborate, cooperate and coordinate with public and
private entities with responsibility for the emergency support functions identified by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency to identify and implement strategic investments to
enhance the emergency resilience of the state.
(2) The office may issue grants to support strategic investments described in subsection
(1) of this section.
(3) The office shall monitor the progress of projects funded under this section and shall
evaluate, using objective measurements, the improvements to statewide emergency
preparedness attributable to such projects. The office shall publish quarterly reports on such
progress and improvements.
SECTION 11. The Strategic Partnership Account is established in the State Treasury,
separate and distinct from the General Fund. The account consists of moneys appropriated,
allocated, deposited or transferred to the account by the Legislative Assembly or otherwise.
Moneys in the account are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Department of Admin-
istrative Services for SPARTICIS to carry out the provisions of section 10 of this 2025 Act.
SPARC
SECTION 12.(1) The Statewide Preparedness Authority for Response Coordination is es-
tablished as an office within the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. The
office is to be known as and may be cited as SPARC.
(2) The office is under the supervision and control of a facilitator, who is responsible for
the performance of the duties, functions and powers of the office.
(3) The Director of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training shall appoint
the facilitator, who holds office at the pleasure of the director.
(4) The facilitator shall be paid a salary as provided by law or, if not so provided, as
prescribed by the director, with the approval of the Governor.
(5) For purposes of administration, the facilitator may organize and reorganize the office
as the facilitator considers necessary to properly conduct the work of the office.
(6) The facilitator may divide the functions of the office into administrative divisions. The
facilitator may appoint an individual to administer each division. The administrator of each
division serves at the pleasure of the facilitator and is not subject to the provisions of ORS
chapter 240. Each individual appointed under this subsection must be well qualified by tech-
nical training and experience in the functions to be performed by the individual.
(7) The office shall:
(a) Develop a standardized and expandable training environment for emergency response
training in consultation and collaboration with subject matter experts based on strategic,
operational and tactical assessments, evaluations and requirements; and
(b) Plan, develop, construct and operate facilities for emergency response training until
the facilitator determines that the facilities are fully operational, at which time control of
the facilities must be transferred to the Statewide Regional Training Office established under
section 18 of this 2025 Act.
SECTION 13. (1) SPARC shall develop and maintain a database to be known as the All-
Hazards Statewide Responder Database. The database is to be a centralized and comprehen-
sive repository of information regarding individuals and entities with skills or responsibilities
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relevant to emergency management.
(2) The office shall negotiate any data sharing agreements with public and private entities
necessary to develop or maintain the database.
(3) The office shall collaborate, cooperate and coordinate with all appropriate private and
public entities with responsibility for the emergency support functions identified by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency to develop and maintain the database.
(4) In developing the database, the office shall prioritize the inclusion of formalized
emergency response exercise, experience and training information derived from the Emer-
gency Management Institute of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the emergency
health care provider registry established under ORS 401.651 to 401.670 and the Department
of Public Safety Standards and Training.
(5) The office shall identify, implement and support an appropriate learning management
system to be used in conjunction with the database.
(6) The office shall prepare and publish an annual report on the development, mainte-
nance and use of the database. The report must include assessments and recommendations
for improvement relating to the operation and security of the database.
(7) All agencies of state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, shall assist the office in
carrying out the provisions of this section and, to the extent permitted by laws relating to
confidentiality, shall furnish information and advice the office considers necessary to carry
out those provisions.
SECTION 14. (1) The All-Hazards Statewide Responder Database Oversight Authority is
created within the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. The authority con-
sists of:
(a) The SPARC facilitator;
(b) One member appointed by the Director of the Oregon Department of Emergency
Management to represent the Oregon Department of Emergency Management;
(c) One member appointed by the Director of the Department of Public Safety Standards
and Training to represent the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training;
(d) One member appointed by the Director of the Oregon Department of Administrative
Services to represent the Oregon Department of Administrative Services; and
(e) One member appointed by the Director of the Oregon Health Authority to represent
the Oregon Health Authority.
(2) The authority shall oversee the development and maintenance of the database de-
scribed in section 13 of this 2025 Act.
FUNDING PROVIDED BY SPARC
SECTION 15. (1) SPARC shall distribute moneys, by grant, to develop and operate public
safety projects as described in this section.
(2) Before distributing moneys under this section, SPARC shall, in collaboration with the
Department of Public Safety Standards and Training and the advisory board convened under
section 19 of this 2025 Act, develop construction standards for projects, which may include,
without limitation, seismic standards, durability standards and standards for portions of
newly constructed buildings that may be used as emergency evacuation facilities. A recipient
of grant funding under this section must agree to construct the project in accordance with
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applicable standards developed by SPARC.
(3) On or before July 1, 2027, SPARC shall make the following grants, subject to sub-
section (2) of this section:
(a) $20,000,000 to the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training for a facility
inSalem.
(b) $20,000,000 to the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council to be used for the
CORE3 center in Deschutes County.
(c) $20,000,000 to the Rogue Siskiyou Regional Training Center.
(4) In the biennium beginning July 1, 2027, SPARC shall make additional grants for the
projects specified in subsection (3) of this section to fund operational costs of the projects.
SPARC shall determine the amount of the grants based on the need demonstrated by the
projects and legislative budgetary authorization.
(5) On or before July 1, 2030, SPARC shall make two grants of up to $20,000,000 each to
recipients determined through a competitive process. SPARC shall adopt rules governing the
competitive process and shall select recipients so as to maximize the emergency readiness
of the state, taking into consideration the severity and types of hazards that may affect
various regions of the state. SPARC may not make grants under this subsection for projects
that received grants under subsection (3) of this section.
(6) On or before July 1, 2032, SPARC shall make two grants of up to $20,000,000 each to
recipients determined through a competitive process as described in subsection (5) of this
section. SPARC may not make grants under this subsection for projects that received grants
under subsections (3) or (5) of this section.
SECTION 16. (1) For the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, at the request of the Depart-
ment of Public Safety Standards and Training, the State Treasurer is authorized to issue
lottery bonds pursuant to ORS 286A.560 to 286A.585 in an amount that produces $60,000,000
in net proceeds for the purposes described in subsection (2) of this section, plus an additional
amount estimated by the State Treasurer to be necessary to pay bond-related costs.
(2) Net proceeds of lottery bonds issued under this section must be transferred to the
department to be used by SPARC to issue grants under section 15 of this 2025 Act.
(3) The Legislative Assembly finds that the use of lottery bond proceeds will create jobs,
further economic development, finance public education or restore and protect parks,
beaches, watersheds and native fish and wildlife, and is authorized based on the following
findings:
(a) Developing public safety projects in Oregon will create employment opportunities in
construction and public safety professions;
(b) Public safety projects will help to protect natural resources in Oregon, including na-
tive fish and wildlife, against natural and man-made disasters; and
(c) Enhancing Oregon’s ability to prepare for and recover from emergencies will increase
investment, business activity and economic development in the state.
(4) The Legislative Assembly declares its current intention to authorize bonding neces-
sary to fund the grants described in section 15 (5) and (6) of this 2025 Act, including any
bond-relatedcosts.
SECTION 17.Sections 15 and 16 of this 2025 Act are repealed on January 2, 2034.
STATEWIDE REGIONAL TRAINING OFFICE
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SECTION 18. (1) The Statewide Regional Training Office is established within the De-
partment of Public Safety Standards and Training.
(2) The office is under the supervision and control of the Statewide Regional Training
Officer, who is responsible for the performance of the duties, functions and powers of the
office.
(3) The Director of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training shall appoint
the Statewide Regional Training Officer, who holds office at the pleasure of the director.
(4) The Statewide Regional Training Officer shall be paid a salary as provided by law or,
if not so provided, as prescribed by the director, with the approval of the Governor.
(5) For purposes of administration, the Statewide Regional Training Officer may organize
and reorganize the office as the Statewide Regional Training Officer considers necessary to
properly conduct the work of the office.
(6) The Statewide Regional Training Officer may divide the functions of the office into
administrative divisions. The Statewide Regional Training Officer may appoint an individual
to administer each division. The administrator of each division serves at the pleasure of the
Statewide Regional Training Officer and is not subject to the provisions of ORS chapter 240.
Each individual appointed under this subsection must be well qualified by technical training
and experience in the functions to be performed by the individual.
(7) The office shall manage and operate facilities for emergency response training after
control of such facilities is transferred to the office from SPARC under section 12 of this 2025
Act.
(8) The office shall develop and implement a long-term strategy for operation of the fa-
cilities with the goal of optimizing the emergency preparedness of the state.
(9) The office shall coordinate with the SPARC facilitator and the Commission on State-
wide Intergovernmental Emergency Response Training Facilities and Programming to de-
velop and sustain regional training programs.
DPSST ADVISORY BOARD
SECTION 19. (1) The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training shall convene
an advisory board to advise the department on emergency resilience strategy. The advisory
board may advise on any of the following, without limitation:
(a) Strategic investments and objectives in the short, medium and long term;
(b) Placement and distribution of facilities, equipment and supplies;
(c) Standards for regional training; and
(d) Recommendations for legislative changes associated with statewide emergency
resilience.
(2) The department may appoint members to the advisory board as the department deems
necessary or convenient. The department shall consider, but is not required to appoint, the
following as advisory board members:
(a) The State Resilience Officer;
(b) The SPARC facilitator;
(c) A member with expertise in capital projects;
(d) A representative of the Oregon Military Department;
(e) A representative of the Department of the State Fire Marshal;
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(f) A representative of the Department of State Police;
(g) A representative of the office related to resilience and emergency management within
the Department of Human Services;
(h) A representative of organizations of local governments;
(i) A representative of the Oregon Emergency Management Association; and
(j) A representative of tribal government emergency management agencies.
(3) All agencies of state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, are directed to assist the
advisory board in the performance of the duties of the advisory board and, to the extent
permitted by laws relating to confidentiality, to furnish information and advice the members
of the advisory board consider necessary to perform their duties.
SRO AND SPARC REPORTING
SECTION 20. (1) On or before January 30, 2027, the State Resilience Officer shall report
to the standing or interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to emergency
management on whether the staffing levels of the office of the State Resilience Officer are
sufficient to carry out the duties of the office.
(2) On or before January 30, 2027, SPARC shall report to the standing or interim com-
mittees of the Legislative Assembly related to emergency management on the amount of
state funding necessary or advisable for operational costs of the projects described in section
15 (3) of this 2025 Act.
OTHER PROVISIONS
SECTION 21. (1) The State Resilience Officer shall identify state agencies with responsi-
bility for one or more emergency support functions identified by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency.
(2) Each state agency identified under subsection (1) of this section shall designate an
employee of the state agency as the Emergency Management Responsible Officer. This offi-
cer shall act as the primary liaison between the state agency and state authorities related
to emergency management, including SPARC and the Oregon Department of Emergency
Management.
(3) Each state agency not identified under subsection (1) of this section shall designate
an employee of the state agency as the Continuity of Governance Responsible Officer. This
officer shall act as the primary liaison between the state agency and SPARTICIS for the
purposes of preparing continuity of governance plans.
SECTION 22. Each county shall submit a report to the State Resilience Officer at least
once per biennium on the state of the county’s emergency preparedness. The report must
include:
(1) An assessment of county-level emergency management administrative support for
local first responder agencies and local nonprofit or volunteer organizations associated with
emergency management;
(2) An assessment of county-level strengths and weaknesses relating to emergency
preparedness, response and recovery;
(3) An assessment of regional partnership development; and
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(4) Recommendations for structural and systematic improvements.
SECTION 23. ORS 401.913 is amended to read:
401.913. (1) The office of State Resilience Officer is created in the office of the Governor. The
office of State Resilience Officer shall direct, implement and coordinate [seismic] all-hazards safety
and resilience goal setting and state agency planning and preparation to improve [ seismic] all-
hazards safety and resilience.
(2) The State Resilience Officer shall facilitate policy standardization among state agen-
cies, prioritize investments for improving resilience posture and provide regular reports on
state agency resilience policy compliance, organizational preparedness, continuity of
governance procedures and measures of emergency readiness. Such reports may be made to
the Governor, appropriate committees of the Legislative Assembly or relevant public safety
advisory boards and commissions.
[(2)] (3) The Governor shall appoint an individual to serve as the State Resilience Officer, sub-
ject to confirmation by the Senate pursuant to Article III, section 4, of the Oregon Constitution.
[(3)] (4) The legislative branch of government and the judicial branch of government shall each
select an individual to monitor the effectiveness of seismic safety and resilience planning in their
branch.
SECTION 24. Section 155b, chapter 539, Oregon Laws 2021, is amended to read:
Sec. 155b. The amendments to ORS 401.094 by section 16a [ of this 2021 Act], chapter 539,
Oregon Laws 2021, become operative on July 1, [2025] 2026.
CAPTIONS
SECTION 25.The unit captions used in this 2025 Act are provided only for the conven-
ience of the reader and do not become part of the statutory law of this state or express any
legislative intent in the enactment of this 2025 Act.
EMERGENCY CLAUSE
SECTION 26.This 2025 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public
peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2025 Act takes effect
on its passage.
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