(A) Cities with a population of 25,000 or more;

(B) Cities with a population under 25,000;

(C) Counties;

(D) Natural gas utilities regulated by the Public Utility Commission under ORS chapter 757;

(E) Electric utilities regulated by the Public Utility Commission under ORS chapter 757;

(F) Water districts, special districts, sanitary districts or water and sanitary authorities;

(G) Telecommunications utilities serving fewer than 50,000 access lines and regulated by the Public Utility Commission under ORS chapter 759;

(H) Telecommunications utilities serving 50,000 access lines or more and regulated by the Public Utility Commission under ORS chapter 759;

(I) Telecommunications cooperatives;

(J) Electric cooperatives;

(K) People’s utility districts;

(L) Contractors;

(M) Excavators;

(N) Railroads;

(O) Cable system operators; and

(P) Municipal electric utilities.

(b) To facilitate appointment of members of the first board of directors, the Public Utility Commission shall, by order, select organizations that are most representative of each of the groups set forth in paragraph (a) of this subsection. Each organization so selected may nominate a member for the board and may, within the time allowed by the commission’s order, submit the name of the nominee to the Governor, who shall consider the nominee before making any other appointment to the board.

(c) After appointment of the first board of directors, to facilitate appointment of new members to the board, the board shall, by rule, select organizations that are most representative of each of the groups set forth in paragraph (a) of this subsection. Each organization so selected may nominate a member for the board and may, within the time allowed by rule, submit the name of the nominee to the Governor, who shall consider the nominee before making any other appointment to the board.

(d) If the board of directors determines that a group not listed in paragraph (a) of this subsection should be represented on the board, the board may select an organization that is most representative of the group and may ask that organization to nominate a member. Upon receipt of the nomination, the board may request that the Governor appoint the nominee.

(e) The Governor shall also appoint to the board of directors one employee of the commission and one employee of the Department of Transportation.

(2) The term of office of a member is four years. A member is eligible for reappointment. Before the expiration of the term of a member, the board of directors shall solicit a nomination as provided in subsection (1) of this section and the Governor shall appoint a successor. If there is a vacancy for any cause, the board shall solicit a nomination as provided in subsection (1) of this section and the Governor shall make an appointment to become immediately effective for the unexpired term. A member may continue to serve until a successor is appointed. Nothing in this subsection or subsection (1) of this section shall restrict the authority of the Governor to appoint a person other than one of the persons nominated according to this subsection or subsection (1) of this section.

(3) The board of directors shall select one of its members as chairperson and another as vice chairperson, for such terms and with such duties and powers as the board considers necessary for the performance of the functions of those offices. A minimum of seven of the members of the board constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

(4) The board of directors shall meet at least once every three months at a time and place determined by the board. The board shall meet at such other times and places specified by the call of the chairperson or of a majority of the members of the board. [1995 c.691 §2; 1999 c.451 §2]

Note: See note under 757.542.