Identification of laws that place region’s development efforts at disadvantage

(1) Upon identifying a specific law in accordance with ORS 284.781 (3), the Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Board: (a) May recommend to the agency, board or commission that imposes or administers the law that the agency, board or commission consider an exception or waiver to the law in order to assist in workforce development and economic development efforts in the Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Region. Within 60 days of receiving a recommendation from the Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Board under this paragraph, the agency, board or commission shall review the recommendation and hold a public hearing in the region, or otherwise consider information from the public and stakeholder entities, to determine whether: (A) The law has repeatedly posed a disadvantage to workforce development or economic development in the region in the last five years compared to comparable laws, rules or other forms of regulation imposed by the State of Idaho or a political subdivision of the State of Idaho; and (B) An exception or waiver to the specific law may be made for the purpose of furthering workforce development or economic development in the region. (b) If the agency, board or commission determines that an exception or waiver may not be made under paragraph (a) of this subsection, may recommend to the agency, board or commission or to the Legislative Assembly that a specific exception or waiver be made for the purpose of workforce development or economic development in the region. (2) The Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Board may not recommend an exception or waiver to a specific law if: (a) The exception or waiver to the law is not permitted by law; or (b) The law relates to employment or state taxation.