# ORS § 431.003: 431.003 Definitions

> Oregon · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T36_C431_S431.003

## Section

- **Citation:** ORS § 431.003
- **Heading:** 431.003 Definitions
- **Jurisdiction:** Oregon
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** OR Code / Title 36 / Chapter 431 / Section 431.003

## Text

As used in ORS 431.001 (Findings) to 431.550 (Power of Oregon Health Authority to collect information from local public health administrators) and 431.990 (Penalties) :

(1) “Foundational capability” means the knowledge, skill or ability that is necessary to carry out a public health activity.

(2) “Foundational program” means a public health program that is necessary to assess, protect or improve the health of the residents of this state.

(3) “Governing body of a local public health authority” means:

(a) The governing body of a county;

(b) A board described in ORS 431.443 (Formation of health districts) (2);

(c) A board established under ORS 431.443 (Formation of health districts) (3); or

(d) The board of an intergovernmental entity created by an agreement pursuant to ORS 190.010 (Authority of local governments to make intergovernmental agreement) (5) for the purpose of providing public health services.

(4) “Local health department” means the agency established by the local public health authority that is responsible for administering public health programs and public health activities within the local public health authority’s jurisdiction.

(5) “Local health officer” means:

(a) A local public health administrator appointed under ORS 431.418 (Local public health administrator) who is a physician licensed under ORS chapter 677;

(b) A physician licensed under ORS chapter 677 who is employed by or who enters a contract with a local public health administrator under ORS 431.418 (Local public health administrator) ; or

(c) A physician licensed under ORS chapter 677 who is appointed by the Public Health Officer under ORS 431.045 (Public Health Officer) .

(6) “Local public health administrator” means an individual appointed under ORS 431.418 (Local public health administrator) to supervise the public health programs and public health activities of a local health department.

(7) “Local public health authority” means:

(a) A county government;

(b) A health district formed under ORS 431.443 (Formation of health districts) ; or

(c) An intergovernmental entity that provides public health services pursuant to an agreement entered into under ORS 190.010 (Authority of local governments to make intergovernmental agreement) (5). [2015 c.736 §2; 2019 c.321 §5]

Source: Section 431.003 — Definitions , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors431.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).

## Nearby sections

- [ORS § 431.001 431.001 Findings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T36_C431_S431.001.md)
- [ORS § 431.003 431.003 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T36_C431_S431.003.md)
- [ORS § 431.035 431.035 Power of Director of Oregon Health Authority to delegate functions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T36_C431_S431.035.md)
- [ORS § 431.045 431.045 Public Health Officer](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T36_C431_S431.045.md)
- [ORS § 431.110 431.110 General powers and duties of Oregon Health Authority](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T36_C431_S431.110.md)
- [ORS § 431.115 431.115 Administrative duties of Oregon Health Authority](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T36_C431_S431.115.md)
- [ORS § 431.120 431.120 Other duties of Oregon Health Authority](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T36_C431_S431.120.md)
- [ORS § 431.122 431.122 Members](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T36_C431_S431.122.md)
- [ORS § 431.123 431.123 Duties of Oregon Public Health Advisory Board](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T36_C431_S431.123.md)
- [ORS § 431.125 431.125 Duties related to public health laws](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T36_C431_S431.125.md)
- [ORS § 431.131 431.131 Foundational capabilities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T36_C431_S431.131.md)
- [ORS § 431.132 431.132 Assessment and epidemiology](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T36_C431_S431.132.md)
- [ORS § 431.133 431.133 Emergency preparedness and response](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T36_C431_S431.133.md)
- [ORS § 431.134 431.134 Communications](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T36_C431_S431.134.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T36_C431_S431.003. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.