(a) Contract with, consult with or receive advice from any state agency pursuant to those terms and conditions that the Attorney General considers appropriate.
(b) In the Attorney General’s sole discretion, contract with, consult with or receive advice from consultants to assist in the Attorney General’s review of the proposed transaction. The consultants shall be qualified and expert in the type of transactions under review. Before engaging any consultant, the Attorney General shall communicate with the parties to the proposed transaction regarding the engagement.
(2) The cost of any contract authorized under subsection (1) of this section shall be no more than is reasonably necessary to conduct the Attorney General’s review and evaluation. Any contract entered into by the Attorney General under this section shall be exempt from the requirements of ORS chapters 279A and 279B, except ORS 279B.235. All contract costs incurred by the Attorney General under this section must be paid by the party to whom the transfer is to be made as described in ORS 65.803 (1).
(3) The Attorney General, by rule, may impose an application fee for costs incurred in reviewing and evaluating the proposed transaction. The fee must be paid by the party to whom the transfer is to be made as described in ORS 65.803 (1). [1997 c.291 §8; 2003 c.794 §195]