ORS tit. 45, ch. 537, GROUND WATER, WELL CONSTRUCTORS CONTINUING EDUCATION COMMITTEE, TEMPORARY PROVISIONS RELATING to THE WELL CONSTRUCTORS CONTINUING EDUCATION COMMITTEE ARE COMPILED AS NOTES FOLLOWING ORS 537.765
ORS tit. 45, ch. 537, GROUND WATER, WELL CONSTRUCTORS CONTINUING EDUCATION COMMITTEE, TEMPORARY PROVISIONS RELATING to THE WELL CONSTRUCTORS CONTINUING EDUCATION COMMITTEE ARE COMPILED AS NOTES FOLLOWING ORS 537.765
Sections 2, 4 and 7, chapter 496, Oregon Laws 2001, provide:
Sec. 2. (1) There is established a Well Constructors Continuing Education Committee consisting of six members appointed by the Water Resources Director as follows:
(a) One person representing the Water Resources Department;
(b) Three persons from the well drilling industry licensed pursuant to ORS 537.747;
(c) One person having expertise in ground water quality or public health; and
(d) One person having expertise in employee safety.
(2) The term of office of each member is three years, but a member serves at the pleasure of the director. Before the expiration of the term of a member, the director shall appoint a successor whose term begins on July 1 next following. A member is eligible for reappointment. If there is a vacancy for any cause, the director shall make an appointment to become effective immediately for the unexpired term.
(3) A member of the committee is entitled to travel expenses as provided in ORS 292.495.
(4) Members of the committee must be residents of this state who are knowledgeable about the principles of well construction.
(5) The committee shall select one of its members as chairperson and another as vice chairperson, for such terms and with the duties and powers necessary for the performance of the functions of such offices as the committee determines.
(6) Four members of the committee constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. At least four members of the committee must approve all official actions or decisions of the committee. [2001 c. 496, § 2; 2021 c. 610, § 17]
Sec. 4. (1) The Well Constructors Continuing Education Committee shall recommend to the Water Resources Commission a process for reviewing and approving continuing education requirements for licensed water well constructors established by rule pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.
(2) The commission shall adopt rules necessary for the administration of a continuing education program for licensed water well constructors consistent with the recommendations of the committee.
(3) The rules adopted by the commission under this section for the continuing education program shall:
(a) Authorize the committee to review and approve continuing education courses and to assign continuing education credits.
(b) At a minimum require, for renewal of a license issued under ORS 537.747, that an applicant:
(A) Through clinics, schools, professional organizations or seminars, lectures or other courses of study that relate to the practice of well construction and that are approved by the committee, obtain continuing education credits during each licensing period in an amount designated by the commission, but not to exceed 14 credits; and
(B) Furnish proof on a form approved by the committee that the applicant has complied with the continuing education requirements during the preceding licensing period unless the applicant is exempt under subsection (4) of this section.
(4) The commission may waive the continuing education requirements established by rule pursuant to subsection (2) of this section for a licensed water well constructor if the constructor submits satisfactory evidence of inability to attend continuing education courses because of health, military duty or other circumstances beyond the control of the constructor.
(5) For courses sponsored by the Water Resources Department, the fee for one continuing education credit is $40, and the total fees per day may not exceed $250.
(6) The fees collected under this section for continuing education courses sponsored by the department shall be paid into the Water Resources Department Water Right Operating Fund. Notwithstanding ORS 536.009, such moneys shall be used to pay the department's expenses associated with conducting continuing education courses.
(7) At the time of application to renew a water well constructor's license pursuant to ORS 537.747 (5), a person shall provide the department with evidence of compliance with the continuing education requirements established pursuant to this section. [2001 c. 496, § 4; 2007 c. 221, § 2]
Sec. 7. Sections 2 and 4, chapter 496, Oregon Laws 2001, are repealed January 2, 2030. [2001 c. 496, § 7; 2007 c. 221, § 3; 2014 c. 57, § 1; 2021 c. 610, § 18]
Section 29, chapter 610, Oregon Laws 2021, provides:
Sec. 29. The amendments to section 2, chapter 496, Oregon Laws 2001, by section 17 of this 2021 Act do not alter the term of office of a member serving on the Well Constructors Continuing Education Committee immediately prior to the effective date of this 2021 Act [January 1, 2022]. [2021 c. 610, § 29]