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Committee hears brief testimony on bill to rename head of Oregon Advocacy Commission office
Summary
Senate Bill 790 would change the title of the head of the Oregon Advocacy Commission office from “administrator” to “executive director,” a change proponents say reflects expanded duties and additional staff; no vote was taken at the March 25 Rules Committee hearing.
Senate Bill 790 would change the title of the head of the Oregon Advocacy Commission office (OACO) from “administrator” to “executive director,” supporters told the Senate Committee on Rules at a public hearing March 25.
The change, Leslie — a committee staff member — summarized for the committee, would update the office head’s title to align with the titles used by other agency leaders. "Senate Bill 790 changes the name of the head of the Oregon Advocacy Commission office to executive director from administrator," Leslie said.
Kyle Myers, operations and policy analyst with the Oregon Advocacy Commission office, told the committee the office’s duties have expanded since it was established in 2005. "Over the past 20 years, the responsibilities of the agency and the role of the administrator have increased," Myers said. He told the committee that OACO now has four permanent staff and three limited-duration staff associated with House Bill 4052, for a total of seven staff.
Committee member Mr. Manning, who said he formerly chaired the Commission on Black Affairs, supported the measure but urged better funding for the commissions. "The advocacy commission has been underfunded," he said, adding that commissioners travel for work and that reimbursement and overall funding should reflect the increased responsibilities.
Liz For the Branch, who said she serves on the Commission for Black Affairs and spoke as a community member, said the current administrator already performs duties more consistent with an executive director and backed the title change. "Our administrative leader has already been acting as a director, has already set strategic plans," she said, and called for additional staffing and travel support so commissioners can reach more of the state.
The committee conducted the public hearing on SB 790, received testimony, and closed the hearing without taking a committee vote during the March 25 meeting. The bill’s proponents said the measure is primarily a title alignment to recognize programmatic and supervisory duties that have been added to the office head’s role over time.
