Section 192.461 - Public Records Advocate(1) The office of the Public Records Advocate is created as an independent office within the executive department, separate and distinct from any other state agency.(2) The Public Records Advocate shall be appointed by the Public Records Advisory Council under ORS 192.481.(3) The Public Records Advocate shall be a member in good standing of the Oregon State Bar.(4) The term of office of the Public Records Advocate shall be four years, except that the advocate may be removed for cause by the Public Records Advisory Council. A determination to remove for cause may be appealed as a contested case proceeding under ORS chapter 183.(5) The advocate may be reappointed to consecutive terms.(6) The Public Records Advocate is in the exempt service.(7)(a) The Public Records Advocate shall select, appoint and fix the compensation of a Deputy Public Records Advocate. The Deputy Public Records Advocate shall be a member in good standing of the Oregon State Bar.(b) The Public Records Advocate may delegate to the Deputy Public Records Advocate any authority, power or duty to act possessed by the Public Records Advocate except the power to delegate set forth in this paragraph.(c) If the position of the Public Records Advocate becomes vacant, the Deputy Public Records Advocate shall serve as the acting Public Records Advocate until a new Public Records Advocate has been appointed.(8)(a) The Public Records Advocate may hire and fix the compensation of other professional staff to assist in performing the duties assigned to the Public Records Advocate.(b) Officers and employees of the office of the Public Records Advocate are in the exempt service.(9) The Public Records Advocate may seek out office facilities and administrative support from other state agencies or local public bodies. State agencies shall assist the advocate. Local public bodies may assist the advocate.Amended by 2021 Ch. 582,§ 1, eff. 7/19/2021.Amended by 2019 Ch. 107,§ 1, eff. 1/1/2020.