1. (1) As used in this section:

   1. (a) “Resilience Hub” means a physical facility that is operated, managed or supported by one or more local residents, local governments, tribal governments, public schools, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, nonprofit organizations or nongovernmental organizations and that:

      1. (A) Supports the needs of community members or tribal communities, facilitates gathering and communication, distributes resources and otherwise enhances quality of life within a community;
      2. (B) Serves as a central point for gathering, information sharing, and coordination in response to a disruption in the community;
      3. (C) Enhances the ability of a community to respond to and recover from a disruption in a community;
      4. (D) Is positioned, operated and resourced on a day-to-day basis to provide community resources, including but not limited to food, water, information exchange, electronic charging stations, basic medical supplies and equipment proportionate to the size of the community’s population and needs;
      5. (E) Supports community cache sites and other support for community members who shelter in place;
      6. (F) Can provide child care, training, food distribution and other services that can help a community respond to unmet social needs to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters;
      7. (G) Can provide, or can be retrofitted to provide, heating, cooling, air filtration and weather protection; and
      8. (H) Accommodates individuals with accessibility needs.
   2. (b) “Resilience Network” means an association of facilities, organizations, resource providers or service providers outside of a physical Resilience Hub facility that collectively serve the purposes of a Resilience Hub.

2. (2) The Department of Human Services shall, in consultation with the State Department of Energy and the Oregon Health Authority, provide grants, support and technical assistance for Resilience Hubs and Networks in Oregon. The Department of Human Services shall award:

   1. (a) Grants for expenses related to planning and organizing Resilience Hubs and Networks;
   2. (b) Grants to support and expand development and operation of Resilience Hubs and Networks to ensure that physical facilities can provide protection from extreme weather, can maintain power and climate during power outages, have auxiliary communications capabilities and are resilient following earthquakes, fires, tornadoes, floods, other extreme weather events and other potential disasters, emergencies or incidents; and
   3. (c) Grants for resources and services needed by communities to otherwise prepare for and respond to disasters.

3. (3) Individuals or organizations may apply for grants by submitting an application that must include:

   1. (a) A description of the purposes for which grant moneys will be expended;
   2. (b) A plan for implementing specific strategies to build resilience in a community;
   3. (c) A description of additional resources available for purposes of the Resilience Hub or Network;
   4. (d) A description of the project’s ability to serve vulnerable populations and communities traditionally underrepresented in the public process, including communities of color, communities experiencing lower incomes, tribal communities, rural communities, coastal communities, communities with limited infrastructure, seniors, youth and persons with disabilities; and
   5. (e) Any other information required by the department.
4. (4) The department shall execute grant agreements with grant recipients obligating recipients to use grant moneys for purposes specified in the grant agreements. The department, in consultation with the State Department of Energy and the Oregon Health Authority, shall determine the permissible purposes for a grant under this section based on the needs of the Resilience Hub or Network. The department shall determine the needs of the Resilience Hub or Network in consultation with the community, including populations described in subsection (3)(d) of this section, within the locality in which the Resilience Hub or Network operates.
5. (5) The Department of Human Services shall adopt rules necessary for the administration of this section, including specifying the form and contents of an application for a grant under this section.

[2023 c.442 §86]