State Emergency Response Commission (SERC)

About

The State Emergency Response Commission executive committee was established to provide input and recommendations to the State Emergency Response Commission on activities related to Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.

The Oregon State Emergency Response Commission is responsible for:

Designating emergency planning districts throughout Oregon,
Establishing local emergency planning committees (LEPCs) within the emergency planning districts,
Appointing membership to the local emergency planning committees,
Providing review and comment on local community emergency response plans.

Oregon Administrative Rule 837-095-0030 established the State Emergency Response Commission executive committee, designated emergency planning districts, and local emergency planning committees. The statute identifies the state fire marshal as the State Emergency Response Commission . The State Emergency Response Commission executive committee was established to provide input and recommendations to the State Emergency Response Commission on activities related to Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.

The State Emergency Response Commission executive committee's duties are to advise the State Emergency Response Commission on the designation of emergency planning districts and questions regarding the creation or dissolving of local emergency planning committees, be involved with the review of plans developed by local emergency planning committees, support local emergency planning committees efforts to implement Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, and assist with hazardous materials training, education, and outreach activities in support of the State Emergency Response Commission and local emergency planning committees.

This committee is made up of representatives of the following state agencies, groups, and organizations:

Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal
Department of Emergency Management
Oregon Department of Transportation
Oregon State Police
Governor's Office
Oregon Health Authority
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Local Emergency Management

Oregon Emergency Management Association
Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC)
Industry
Oregon Fire Chiefs Association
Regional Hazardous Material Response Teams
Oregon Sheriffs Association
Tribes
Association of Oregon Counties

Executive Committee Bylaws

Click the tabs below to read the sections of the State Emergency Response Committee Executive Committee bylaws. You can download a print-only version here: Executive Committee Bylaws

SERC Executive Committee Bylaws

ARTICLE I: Name

The body shall be known as the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) Executive Committee, hereinafter the “SERC Executive Committee.”

ARTICLE II: Authorization

The SERC Executive Committee is formed in accordance with Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 837-095 by the Office of the State Marshal acting in its capacity as the Oregon SERC.

ARTICLE III: Purpose

The purpose of the SERC Executive Committee is to assist and advise the SERC with its implementation of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986 (42 U.S.C. Chapter 116, Section 11001 et seq.), hereinafter “EPCRA,” and Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 453.520.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the SERC Executive Committee include, but are not limited to:

A. Advising the SERC on the designation of emergency planning districts consistent with Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 837-095;

B. Advising the SERC on the creation, modification, or dissolving of local emergency planning committees (LEPC) and on the confirmation of appointments to those committees;

C. Reviewing plans developed by local emergency planning committees and making recommendations to the SERC on plan approval;

D. Supporting local emergency planning committee efforts to implement EPCRA and ORS 453.520;

E. Supporting and assisting SERC and local emergency planning committee efforts to enhance hazardous materials emergency preparedness and response capabilities; and

F. Coordinating hazardous materials training, education, and outreach activities as well as grant and technical assistance opportunities in support of the SERC and local emergency planning committees.

ARTICLE IV: Membership

Section 1: Composition. The composition and membership of the SERC Executive Committee is defined in OAR 837-095 and consists of representatives from state, tribal, and local governments, statewide associations, and industry.

Section 2: Alternates. Each representative to the SERC Executive Committee will designate an alternate who is authorized to act on behalf of the represented government, association, or business in the absence of the primary representative.

Section 3: Compensation. All members of the SERC Executive Committee will serve without compensation.

ARTICLE V: Officers

The SERC Executive Committee will be led by a Chair and Vice Chair selected by the membership and appointed by the SERC.

Section 1: Duties of the Chair

A. Call for and organize committee meetings;

B. Provide an agenda for and preside at all committee meetings;

C. Form and appoint members to such subcommittees and work groups as are necessary to facilitate committee work;

D. Sign all committee documents requiring signature; and

E. Report to the SERC on committee activities.

Section 2: Duties of the Vice Chair

A. Perform the duties of the Chair in the Chair’s absence; and

B. Perform others duties as assigned by the Chair.

Staff

The work of the SERC Executive Committee will be supported by a Staff Executive and a Staff Coordinator provided by the SERC.

Section 1: Duties of the Staff Executive

A. Assist the committee Chair with meeting preparation;

B. Provide subject matter expertise on EPCRA, Oregon statutes and rules related to hazardous materials, and training, outreach, and grant activities and opportunities relevant to the work of the committee;

C. Serve as a liaison between the committee Chair and the SERC; and

D. Perform other tasks as assigned by the committee Chair or Vice Chair.

Section 2: Duties of the Staff Coordinator

A. Distribute committee meeting agendas;

B. Prepare and distribute committee meeting minutes; and

C. Perform other tasks as assigned by the committee Chair or Vice Chair or Staff Executive.

ARTICLE VI: Meetings

Section 1: Regular Meetings. The SERC Executive Committee will meet on a regular schedule set by the committee. Meetings may be held virtually through conference calls and or webinar.

Section 2: Special Meetings. A special meeting (virtual or in person) of the SERC Executive Committee may be called by the SERC or the committee Chair.

Section 3: Notice. Notice of the method, time, place, and agenda for regular meetings will be provided at least five days in advance of the meeting. Notice of the method, time, place, and purpose of a special meeting will be provided at least three days in advance of the meeting.

Section 4: Quorum. The participation of a simple majority of the designated SERC Executive Committee members will constitute a quorum for the conduct of business at regular and special meetings.

Section 5: Minutes. The minutes of all SERC Executive Committee meetings will be maintained by the SERC.

Section 6: Public Participation. All SERC Executive Committee meetings are open to the public.

ARTICLE VII: Voting

Section 1: One Vote. Each member of the SERC Executive Committee or their participating alternate, including the committee Chair and Vice Chair, is entitled to one vote.

Section 2: Proxy. Proxy voting will not be accepted.

Section 3: Method. Voting may occur in person or via teleconference.

Section 4: Abstentions. Every member must abstain from voting on any matter that poses a conflict of interest. Members must register their abstention at the time of the vote and the abstention will be reflected in the meeting minutes.

Section 5: Majority. Except as noted in Article X, Amendments, an affirmative act of the SERC Executive Committee requires the presence of a quorum and approval by a simple majority of the representatives present.

ARTICLE VIII: Subcommittees and Work Groups

The SERC Executive Committee may establish subcommittees and work groups as necessary for the conduct of business.

ARTICLE IX: Parliamentary Authority

Robert’s Rules of Order (revised) shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by these SERC Executive Committee Bylaws.

ARTICLE X: Amendments

These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote at any regular meeting where a quorum is present. Notification of the proposed amendments must be distributed to all members at least fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting at which the vote will be taken.

Executive Committee Meetings

Oregon State Fire Marshal : Public Meetings : About Us : State of Oregon