ORS 431.035 Power of Director of Oregon Health Authority to delegate functions; Public Health Director; appointment; duties

The Director of the Oregon Health Authority may delegate to any of the officers and employees of the Oregon Health Authority the exercise or discharge in the director’s name of any power, duty or function of whatever character vested in or imposed upon the director by the laws of Oregon. However, the power to administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, take evidence and require the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, agreements or other documents or records may be exercised by an officer or employee of the authority only when specifically delegated in writing by the director.

The official act of any such person so acting in the director’s name and by the authority of the director shall be deemed to be an official act of the director.

The Director of the Oregon Health Authority shall appoint a Public Health Director to perform the duties and exercise authority over public health emergency matters in the state and other duties as assigned by the director. The director may appoint the same person to serve as both the Public Health Director and the Public Health Officer appointed under ORS 431.045.

The Public Health Director shall be an assistant director appointed by the Director of the Oregon Health Authority in accordance with ORS 409.130.

The Public Health Director shall delegate to an employee of the authority the duties, powers and functions granted to the Public Health Director by ORS 431A.015 and 433.443 in the event of the absence from the state or the unavailability of the director. The delegation must be in writing.