(1) As used in this section:

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(a) ‘Eligible organization’ includes Oregon-based nonprofit youth development organizations, federally recognized Indian tribes in this state, nonprofit associations engaged in workforce development and public entities that provide programs of job training, skill development and forest-related or rangeland-related career path training.

(b) ‘Tribe’ means a federally recognized Indian tribe in Oregon.

(2) The Oregon Youth Works Advisory Board created under ORS § 660.320 shall, in collaboration with a qualified nonprofit foundation, actively seek and source private donations to support the Oregon Conservation Corps Program.

(3) The advisory board may direct the expenditure of moneys from the Oregon Conservation Corps Fund for a promotional website and materials to solicit private funds.

(4) The advisory board shall advise the Higher Education Coordinating Commission on the implementation of a grant process that:

(a) Provides funding to support the work conducted by the Oregon Conservation Corps Program.

(b) Defines and uses an equity lens in awarding grants by identifying and supporting populations with greater vulnerability, including communities of color, indigenous communities, communities with members who have limited proficiency in English and communities with lower-income members.

(c) Awards grants to eligible organizations.

(d) Ensures that grant awards support activities described in ORS § 476.694 (1) and subsection (5) of this section.

(e) Establishes guidelines for prioritizing grant-supported projects to reduce community fire risks, promote youth and young adult workforce development and educational experiences and reduce hazardous fuels.

(5) The commission shall consult with the State Forestry Department to ensure that the grant process awards funds to proposals that:

(a) Protect at-risk communities and infrastructure within the wildland-urban interface, as described in ORS § 477.503.

(b) Meet standards for fuel treatment established by the department.

(6) The advisory board shall biennially submit a report, on the timeline described in ORS § 293.640, to an appropriate committee or interim committee of the Legislative Assembly, as described in ORS § 192.245, and to the State Wildfire Programs Director and Wildfire Programs Advisory Council, regarding the expenditure of moneys deposited in the Oregon Conservation Corps Fund. [2021 c.592 § 22; 2023 c.556 § 6; 2023 c.557 § 5]

See note under 476.694.