(1) As used in this section:

(a) 'State agency' means any state office, department, division, bureau, board and commission, whether in the executive, legislative or judicial branch.

(b) 'Telecommute' means to work from the employee's home or from an office near the employee's home, rather than from the principal place of employment.

(2) It is the policy of the State of Oregon to encourage state agencies to allow employees to telecommute when there are opportunities for improved employee performance, reduced commuting miles or agency savings.

(3) Each state agency shall adopt a written policy that:

(a) defines specific criteria and procedures for telecommuting;

(b) is applied consistently throughout the agency; and

(c) requires the agency, in exercising its discretion, to consider an employee request to telecommute in relation to the agency's operating and customer needs.

(4) Each state agency that has an electronic bulletin board, home page or similar means of communication shall post the policy adopted under subsection (3) of this section on the bulletin board, home page or similar site.

(5) The Oregon Department of Administrative Services, in consultation with the Department of Energy, shall provide a biennial report to the Joint Committee on Technology, or a similar committee of the Legislative Assembly, containing at least the following:

(a) the number of employees telecommuting;

(b) the number of trips, miles and hours of travel time saved annually;

(c) a summary of efforts made by the state agency to promote and encourage telecommuting;

(d) an evaluation of the effectiveness of efforts to encourage employees to telecommute; and

(e) such other matters as may be requested by the committee.