The people of the State of Oregon adopt this Act to Create the Outdoor School Education Fund to Allow All Oregon Students to Attend Outdoor School, to be made a part of the Oregon Revised Statutes, Chapter 461.

Section 1. Findings

1. Since the late 1950's, nearly one million Oregon Students have attended Outdoor School, a unique week-long, field science program giving students the opportunity to study natural sciences and responsible use of natural resources in collaboration with students from other schools.

2. Currently, only about half of Oregon students attend Outdoor School. Most remaining programs have been significantly shortened. Rural and lower income districts have been particularly affected.

3. Every Oregon student in the fifth or sixth grade should have the opportunity to attend a week-long outdoor school program or a comparable outdoor education program.

4. Outdoor School builds self-sufficiency and leadership skills, helps students understand the interdependence of Oregon's rural and urban areas, develops critical thinking skills and improves school attendance and retention rates.

5. Fully supporting Outdoor School for all Oregon students will help students meet state standards in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics through direct, hands-on experience, which is shown to strongly influence learning and career choices.

6. Fully supporting Outdoor School for all Oregon students will create jobs throughout Oregon as well as support economic development in rural areas.

7. Under Article XV, Section 4 of the Oregon Constitution, net proceeds from the Oregon Lottery shall be used to create jobs, further economic development, finance public education and restore and protect Oregon's parks, beaches, watersheds, and native fish and wildlife.

Section 2. Creates Outdoor School Education Fund

1. The Outdoor School Education Fund is created within the State Treasury, separate and distinct form the General Fund.

2. Moneys in the fund shall consist of:
a. Amounts donated to the fund;
b. Amounts allocated under Section 2(3) below or otherwise transferred to the fund by the Legislative Assembly;
c. Investment earnings received on moneys in the fund; and
d. Other amounts deposited in the fund from any source.

3. In each fiscal quarter of a biennium, commencing with the first quarter of the biennium beginning July 1, 2017, there is allocated from the Administrative Services Economic Development Fund to the Outdoor School Education Fund established by this measure an amount equal to the lesser of:
a. Four percent of the moneys transferred from the Oregon State Lottery Fund in that fiscal quarter; or
b. $5.50 million, but not to exceed $22 million annually, adjusted annually pursuant to the Consumer Price Index, as defined in ORS 327.006.

4. The allocation of funds to the Outdoor School Education Fund shall not reduce lottery proceeds dedicated to education under Article XV, Section 4 of the Oregon Constitution, or to the restoration and preservation of parks, beaches, watersheds, and native fish and wildlife under Article XV, Sections 4a and 4b of the Oregon Constitution.

Section 3. Purpose of Outdoor School Education Fund

1. The primary purpose of the Outdoor School Education Fund is to provide every Oregon student in fifth or sixth grade the opportunity to attend a week-long outdoor school program, or an equivalent outdoor education experience that reflects local community needs, consistent with provisions of Enrolled Senate Bill 439 (2015 Regular Session).
2. Any moneys remaining in the Outdoor School Education Fund after providing every Oregon student in fifth or sixth grade with an opportunity to attend a week-long Outdoor School may be used by the Oregon State University Extension Service to support the development and delivery of additional outdoor education programs in Oregon's K-12 public schools.

Section 4. Continuous Appropriation

Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon State University Extension Service to support, administer and fund an Outdoor School program as set forth in Enrolled Senate Bill 439 (2015 Regular Session) and additional outdoor education programs for Oregon K-12 children.