Source: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors244.html
Timestamp: 2018-09-21 06:17:32
Document Index: 59506150

Matched Legal Cases: ['§24', '§41', '§3', '§2', '§9', '§3', '§1', '§6', '§4', '§9', '§17', '§4', '§24', '§21', '§2', '§1', '§10', '§86', '§1', '§15', '§3', '§21', '§4', '§3', '§3', '§16', '§5', '§6', '§1', '§1', '§9', '§26', '§148', '§10', '§2', '§1', '§1', '§13', '§2', '§10', '§11', '§87', '§94', '§16', '§22', '§62', '§28', '§77', '§1', '§13', '§6', '§23', '§14', '§2', '§17', '§13', '§5', '§192', '§10', '§4', '§81', '§9', '§9', '§15', '§6', '§31', '§118', '§1', '§3', '§12', '§71', '§10', '§1', '§4', '§8', '§7', '§4', '§13', '§41', '§7', '§6', '§14', '§32', '§11', '§1', '§6', '§21', '§8', '§6', '§23', '§9', '§22', '§5', '§7', '§10', '§1', '§5', '§39', '§1', '§117', '§26', '§3', '§2', '§26', '§26', '§2', '§16', '§186', '§41', '§3', '§17', '§187', '§41', '§2', '§10', '§63', '§95', '§41', '§29', '§1', '§31', '§3', '§33', '§12', '§6', '§18', '§3', '§17', '§1', '§1', '§2', '§11', '§7', '§14', '§7', '§11', '§15', '§9', '§8', '§19', '§2', '§13', '§12', '§25', '§14', '§39', '§12', '§15', '§39', '§17', '§20', '§23', '§3', '§9', '§13', '§3', '§1', '§1', '§16', '§16', '§1', '§2', '§36', '§15', '§4', '§5', '§37', '§11', '§40', '§31', '§20', '§21', '§19', '§12', '§21', '§11', '§10', '§13', '§25', '§1', '§23', '§12', '§12', '§22', '§69', '§20', '§7']

Chapter 244 — Government Ethics
244.010 Policy
244.020 Definitions
244.025 Gift limit
244.040 Prohibited use of official position or office; exceptions; other prohibited actions
244.042 Honoraria
244.045 Regulation of subsequent employment of public officials; lobbying by former members of Legislative Assembly
244.047 Financial interest in public contract
244.050 Persons required to file statement of economic interest; filing deadline
244.055 Additional reporting requirements for State Treasury; review; confidentiality
244.060 Form of statement of economic interest; contents
244.070 Additional statement of economic interest
244.090 Report on association with compensated lobbyist
244.100 Statements of expenses or honoraria provided to public official
244.110 Statements subject to penalty for false swearing
244.115 Filing required for member of Congress or candidate; filing date
244.120 Methods of handling conflicts; Legislative Assembly; judges; appointed officials; other elected officials or members of boards
244.130 Recording of notice of conflict; effect of failure to disclose conflict
244.160 Filing of statement of economic interest by public official of political subdivision other than city or county
244.162 Information provided to persons required to file statement of economic interest
244.165 Rules or policies of state agency or association of public bodies; commission approval; effect
244.175 Definitions for ORS 244.177 and 244.179
244.177 Employment of relative or member of household; exceptions
244.179 Supervision of relative or member of household; exceptions
244.205 Legal expense trust fund; establishment; eligible legal expenses
244.209 Application to establish fund; commission review and authorization
244.213 Contributions to fund
244.217 Statement of contributions received and expenditures made
244.218 Quarterly filing of statements
244.219 Termination of fund
244.221 Disposition of moneys in terminated fund; distribution of award of attorney fees, costs or money judgment
244.250 Oregon Government Ethics Commission; appointment; term; quorum; compensation; legal counsel
244.255 Commission funding; rules
244.260 Complaint and adjudicatory process; confidentiality; Preliminary Review Phase; presentation of statement of facts and recommendations; Investigatory Phase; possible actions by order; report of findings; contested case procedure; limitation on commission action
244.270 Findings as grounds for removal; notice to public bodies
244.280 Commission advisory opinions; effect of reliance on opinion
244.282 Executive director and staff advisory opinions; effect of reliance on opinion
244.284 Staff advice; effect of reliance on advice
244.290 General duties of commission; rules
244.300 Status of records
244.310 Executive director
244.320 Manual on government ethics; effect of reliance on manual; revision
244.330 Distribution of manual on government ethics
244.340 Continuing education program
244.345 Oregon Government Ethics Commission Account
244.350 Civil penalties; letter of reprimand or explanation
244.355 Failure to file trading statement
244.360 Additional civil penalty equal to twice amount of financial benefit
244.370 Civil penalty procedure; disposition of penalties
244.390 Status of penalties and sanctions; consideration of other penalties imposed
244.400 Attorney fees for person prevailing in contested case
(d) For public officials required to file a statement of economic interest under ORS 244.050, any business listed as a source of income as required under ORS 244.060 (3).
(A) Contributions as defined in ORS 260.005.
(E) Admission provided to or the cost of food or beverage consumed by a public official, a relative of the public official accompanying the public official, a member of the household of the public official accompanying the public official or a staff member of the public official accompanying the public official, at a reception, meal or meeting held by an organization when the public official represents state government as defined in ORS 174.111, a local government as defined in ORS 174.116 or a special government body as defined in ORS 174.117.
(F) Reasonable expenses paid by any unit of the federal government, a state or local government, a Native American tribe that is recognized by federal law or formally acknowledged by a state, a membership organization to which a public body as defined in ORS 174.109 pays membership dues or a not-for-profit corporation that is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, for attendance at a convention, fact-finding mission or trip, conference or other meeting if the public official is scheduled to deliver a speech, make a presentation, participate on a panel or represent state government as defined in ORS 174.111, a local government as defined in ORS 174.116 or a special government body as defined in ORS 174.117.
(G) Contributions made to a legal expense trust fund established under ORS 244.209 for the benefit of the public official.
(H) Reasonable food, travel or lodging expenses provided to a public official, a relative of the public official accompanying the public official, a member of the household of the public official accompanying the public official or a staff member of the public official accompanying the public official, when the public official is representing state government as defined in ORS 174.111, a local government as defined in ORS 174.116 or a special government body as defined in ORS 174.117:
(i) In association with the review, approval, execution of documents or closing of a borrowing, investment or other financial transaction, including any business agreement between state government as defined in ORS 174.111, a local government as defined in ORS 174.116 or a special government body as defined in ORS 174.117 and a private entity or public body as defined in ORS 174.109;
(N) Entertainment provided to a public official or a relative or member of the household of the public official where the public official is acting in an official capacity while representing state government as defined in ORS 174.111, a local government as defined in ORS 174.116 or a special government body as defined in ORS 174.117 for a ceremonial purpose.
(14) “Public office” has the meaning given that term in ORS 260.005.
(15) “Public official” means the First Partner and any person who, when an alleged violation of this chapter occurs, is serving the State of Oregon or any of its political subdivisions or any other public body as defined in ORS 174.109 as an elected official, appointed official, employee or agent, irrespective of whether the person is compensated for the services.
(17) “Statement of economic interest” means a statement as described by ORS 244.060 or 244.070.
244.025 Gift limit. (1) During a calendar year, a public official, a candidate or a relative or member of the household of the public official or candidate may not solicit or receive, directly or indirectly, any gift or gifts with an aggregate value in excess of $50 from any single source that could reasonably be known to have a legislative or administrative interest.
244.030 [1974 c.72 §24; repealed by 2007 c.865 §41]
244.040 Prohibited use of official position or office; exceptions; other prohibited actions. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a public official may not use or attempt to use official position or office to obtain financial gain or avoidance of financial detriment for the public official, a relative or member of the household of the public official, or any business with which the public official or a relative or member of the household of the public official is associated, if the financial gain or avoidance of financial detriment would not otherwise be available but for the public official’s holding of the official position or office.
(b) The receipt by a public official or a relative or member of the household of the public official of an honorarium or any other item allowed under ORS 244.042.
(e) Gifts that do not exceed the limits specified in ORS 244.025 received by a public official or a relative or member of the household of the public official from a source that could reasonably be known to have a legislative or administrative interest.
(g) The receipt by a public official or a relative or member of the household of the public official of any item, regardless of value, that is expressly excluded from the definition of “gift” in ORS 244.020.
(h) Contributions made to a legal expense trust fund established under ORS 244.209 for the benefit of the public official.
(7) The provisions of this section apply regardless of whether actual conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest are announced or disclosed under ORS 244.120. [1974 c.72 §3; 1975 c.543 §2; 1987 c.566 §9; 1989 c.340 §3; 1991 c.146 §1; 1991 c.770 §6; 1991 c.911 §4; 1993 c.743 §9; 2007 c.877 §17; 2009 c.68 §4]
244.042 Honoraria. (1) Except as provided in subsections (3) and (4) of this section, a public official may not solicit or receive, whether directly or indirectly, honoraria for the public official or any member of the household of the public official if the honoraria are solicited or received in connection with the official duties of the public official.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, a candidate may not solicit or receive, whether directly or indirectly, honoraria for the candidate or any member of the household of the candidate if the honoraria are solicited or received in connection with the official duties of the public office for which the person is a candidate.
(3) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, this section does not prohibit:
(a) The solicitation or receipt of an honorarium or a certificate, plaque, commemorative token or other item with a value of $50 or less; or
(b) The solicitation or receipt of an honorarium for services performed in relation to the private profession, occupation, avocation or expertise of the public official or candidate.
(4)(a) The Governor, First Partner, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General and Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may not solicit or receive an honorarium, money or any other consideration, as defined in ORS 171.725, for any speaking engagement or presentation.
(b) This subsection does not prevent a public official listed in paragraph (a) of this subsection from receiving any food, beverage, travel or lodging expenses otherwise authorized by this chapter for a speaking engagement or presentation. [2007 c.877 §24; 2009 c.68 §21; 2015 c.620 §2]
244.045 Regulation of subsequent employment of public officials; lobbying by former members of Legislative Assembly. (1) A person who has been a Public Utility Commissioner, the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, the Administrator of the Division of Financial Regulation, the Administrator of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission or the Director of the Oregon State Lottery may not:
(6) A person who has been a member of the Legislative Assembly may not receive money or any other consideration for lobbying as defined in ORS 171.725 performed during the period beginning on the date the person ceases to be a member of the Legislative Assembly and ending on the date of adjournment sine die of the next regular session of the Legislative Assembly that begins after the date the person ceases to be a member of the Legislative Assembly. [1987 c.360 §1; 1993 c.743 §10; 1995 c.79 §86; 1997 c.750 §1; 2007 c.877 §15; 2011 c.68 §3; 2017 c.17 §21]
244.047 Financial interest in public contract. (1) As used in this section:
(a) “Public body” has the meaning given that term in ORS 174.109.
(b) “Public contract” has the meaning given that term in ORS 279A.010.
244.050 Persons required to file statement of economic interest; filing deadline. (1) On or before April 15 of each year the following persons shall file with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission a verified statement of economic interest as required under this chapter:
(g) The president and vice presidents, or their administrative equivalents, in each public university listed in ORS 352.002.
(m) Members of local government boundary commissions formed under ORS 199.410 to 199.519.
(s) Every member of the board of commissioners of a port governed by ORS 777.005 to 777.725 or 777.915 to 777.953.
(t) Every member of the board of directors of an authority created under ORS 441.525 to 441.595.
(u) Every member of a governing board of a public university listed in ORS 352.002.
(v) Every member of the board of directors of an authority created under ORS 465.600 to 465.621.
(3) By April 15 next after the filing deadline for the primary election, each candidate described in subsection (1) of this section shall file with the commission a statement of economic interest as required under ORS 244.060, 244.070 and 244.090.
(4) Not later than the 40th day before the date of the statewide general election, each candidate described in subsection (1) of this section who will appear on the statewide general election ballot and who was not required to file a statement of economic interest under subsections (1) to (3) of this section shall file with the commission a statement of economic interest as required under ORS 244.060, 244.070 and 244.090.
(6) If a statement required to be filed under this section has not been received by the commission within five days after the date the statement is due, the commission shall notify the public official or candidate and give the public official or candidate not less than 15 days to comply with the requirements of this section. If the public official or candidate fails to comply by the date set by the commission, the commission may impose a civil penalty as provided in ORS 244.350. [1974 c.72 §§4,4a; 1975 c.543 §3; 1977 c.588 §3; 1977 c.751 §16; 1979 c.374 §5; 1979 c.666 §6; 1979 c.697 §1; 1979 c.736 §1; 1979 c.829 §9b; 1987 c.373 §26; 1987 c.414 §148; 1987 c.566 §10; 1991 c.73 §2; 1991 c.160 §1; 1991 c.163 §1; 1991 c.470 §13; 1991 c.614 §2; 1993 c.500 §10; 1993 c.743 §11; 1995 c.79 §87; 1995 c.712 §94; 1997 c.652 §16; 1997 c.833 §22; 1999 c.59 §62; 1999 c.291 §28; 2001 c.104 §77; 2003 c.214 §1; 2003 c.784 §13; 2005 c.157 §6; 2005 c.217 §23; 2005 c.777 §14; 2007 c.813 §2; 2007 c.865 §17; 2007 c.877 §13; 2009 c.68 §5; 2009 c.595 §192; 2009 c.896 §10; 2011 c.68 §4; 2011 c.637 §§81,81a; 2011 c.731 §9; 2012 c.90 §§9,9a,29; 2013 c.296 §§15,16; 2013 c.732 §6; 2013 c.747 §§31,32; 2013 c.768 §118; 2015 c.233 §§1,2; 2015 c.620 §3; 2015 c.631 §12; 2015 c.767 §71; 2016 c.88 §10; 2017 c.64 §§1,2; 2017 c.384 §§4,5]
244.055 Additional reporting requirements for State Treasury; review; confidentiality. (1) In addition to the statement required by ORS 244.050, the State Treasurer and any person listed under ORS 244.050 (1)(r) and this subsection shall file quarterly at a time fixed by the State Treasurer a trading statement listing all stocks, bonds and other types of securities purchased or sold during the preceding quarter:
(3) If the State Treasurer or the Deputy State Treasurer determines that a conflict of interest exists for an officer or employee, the State Treasurer shall subject the person to appropriate discipline, including dismissal or termination of the contract, or both, pursuant to rule. If the State Treasurer has cause to believe that a violation of this chapter has occurred, the State Treasurer shall file a complaint with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission under ORS 244.260.
244.060 Form of statement of economic interest; contents. The statement of economic interest filed under ORS 244.050 shall be on a form prescribed by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. The public official or candidate filing the statement shall supply the information required by this section and ORS 244.090, as follows:
(5) All expenses with an aggregate value exceeding $50 received by the public official during the preceding calendar year when participating in a convention, mission, trip or other meeting described in ORS 244.020 (7)(b)(F), including the name and address of the organization, unit of government, tribe or corporation paying the expenses, the nature of the event and the date and amount of the expense.
(6) All expenses with an aggregate value exceeding $50 received by the public official during the preceding calendar year when participating in a mission, negotiations or economic development activities described in ORS 244.020 (7)(b)(H), including the name and address of the person paying the expenses, the nature of the event and the date and amount of the expenditure.
(7) All honoraria and other items allowed under ORS 244.042 with a value exceeding $15 that are received by the public official, candidate or member of the household of the public official or candidate during the preceding calendar year, the provider of each honorarium or item and the date and time of the event for which the honorarium or item was received.
244.070 Additional statement of economic interest. A public official or candidate shall report the following additional economic interest for the preceding calendar year only if the source of that interest is derived from an individual or business that has a legislative or administrative interest or that has been doing business, does business or could reasonably be expected to do business with the governmental agency of which the public official holds, or the candidate if elected would hold, an official position or over which the public official exercises, or the candidate if elected would exercise, any authority:
244.080 [Subsection (1) enacted as 1974 c.72 §8; subsection (2) enacted as 1975 c.543 §7(1); 1977 c.588 §4; 1987 c.566 §13; repealed by 2007 c.865 §41]
244.090 Report on association with compensated lobbyist. (1) Each public official or candidate required to file a statement of economic interest under this chapter shall include on the statement the name of any compensated lobbyist who, during the preceding calendar year, was associated with a business with which the public official or candidate or a member of the household of the public official or candidate was also associated.
(3) As used in this section, “lobbyist” has the meaning given that term in ORS 171.725. [1974 c.72 §7; 1975 c.543 §6; 1987 c.566 §14; 2007 c.865 §32]
244.100 Statements of expenses or honoraria provided to public official. (1) Any organization, unit of government, tribe or corporation that provides a public official with expenses with an aggregate value exceeding $50 for an event described in ORS 244.020 (7)(b)(F) shall notify the public official in writing of the amount of the expense. The organization, unit, tribe or corporation shall provide the notice to the public official within 10 days after the date the expenses are incurred.
(2) Any person that provides a public official or candidate, or a member of the household of the public official or candidate, with an honorarium or other item allowed under ORS 244.042 with a value exceeding $15 shall notify the public official or candidate in writing of the value of the honorarium or other item. The person shall provide the notice to the public official or candidate within 10 days after the date of the event for which the honorarium or other item was received. [1975 c.543 §11; 1991 c.677 §1; 2007 c.865 §6; 2007 c.877 §21a; 2009 c.68 §8; 2015 c.620 §6]
244.105 [2007 c.877 §23; 2009 c.68 §9; renumbered 244.218 in 2009]
244.110 Statements subject to penalty for false swearing. (1) Each statement of economic interest required to be filed under ORS 244.050, 244.060, 244.070 or 244.090, or by rule under ORS 244.290, and each trading statement required to be filed under ORS 244.055 shall be signed and certified as true by the person required to file it and shall contain a written declaration that the statement is made under the penalties of false swearing.
(3) Violation of subsection (2) of this section is punishable as false swearing under ORS 162.075. [1974 c.72 §22; 1977 c.588 §5; 2007 c.865 §7; 2009 c.68 §10]
244.115 Filing required for member of Congress or candidate; filing date. (1) Each member of Congress from this state and each candidate for nomination or election to the office of United States Representative in Congress or United States Senator from this state shall file with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission a copy of the federal ethics filing required under federal law or by congressional rule.
244.120 Methods of handling conflicts; Legislative Assembly; judges; appointed officials; other elected officials or members of boards. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, when met with an actual or potential conflict of interest, a public official shall:
244.130 Recording of notice of conflict; effect of failure to disclose conflict. (1) When a public official gives notice of an actual or potential conflict of interest, the public body as defined in ORS 174.109 that the public official serves shall record the actual or potential conflict in the official records of the public body. In addition, a notice of the actual or potential conflict and how it was disposed of may in the discretion of the public body be provided to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission within a reasonable period of time.
244.135 [Formerly 215.035 and 227.035; repealed by 2015 c.664 §1]
244.160 Filing of statement of economic interest by public official of political subdivision other than city or county. (1) Any political subdivision in this state, other than a city or county, by resolution may require any public official of the subdivision to file a verified statement of economic interest with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.
244.162 Information provided to persons required to file statement of economic interest. (1) A person designated by a public body as defined in ORS 174.109 shall provide information explaining the requirements of ORS 244.050, 244.060, 244.070 and 244.090 to each newly elected or appointed public official serving the public body who is required to file a verified statement of economic interest under ORS 244.050. The information must be received by the public official either at the first meeting attended by the public official or before the public official takes the oath of office, whichever occurs first.
(3) The Oregon Government Ethics Commission shall provide copies of the statements described in ORS 244.060, 244.070 and 244.090 and an explanation of the requirements of the law relating to the statements to each public body that is served by a public official who is required to file a statement described in ORS 244.060, 244.070 or 244.090.
(4) A newly elected or appointed public official serving a public body who is not informed of the filing requirements under ORS 244.050, 244.060, 244.070 and 244.090 and provided with a copy of the statements and explanation as required under this section before attending the first meeting or taking the oath of office may resign that office within 90 days thereafter or before the next date specified in ORS 244.050 for the filing of a statement, whichever is later, without filing a verified statement of economic interest and without incurring a sanction or penalty that might otherwise be imposed for not filing. [Formerly 244.195]
244.165 Rules or policies of state agency or association of public bodies; commission approval; effect. (1) For the purpose of protecting against violations of the provisions of this chapter, a state agency, as defined in ORS 183.750, or a statewide association of public bodies, as defined in ORS 174.109, may adopt rules or policies interpreting the provisions of this chapter. The rules or policies must be consistent with the provisions of this chapter. A state agency or a statewide association of public bodies may submit rules or policies adopted under this subsection to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission for review.
(2) Upon receiving rules or policies submitted under subsection (1) of this section, the commission shall review the rules and policies to determine whether the rules and policies are consistent with the provisions of this chapter. The commission, by a vote of a majority of the members of the commission, shall approve or reject the rules or policies. The commission shall notify the state agency or statewide association of public bodies in writing of the commission’s approval or rejection. A written notice of rejection shall explain the reasons for the rejection.
(3) Unless the applicable rule or policy is amended or repealed by the state agency or the statewide association of public bodies, the commission may not impose a penalty under ORS 244.350 or 244.360 on a public official for any good faith action the official takes in compliance with a rule or policy that was adopted by the state agency that the official serves, or by a statewide association of which the public body that the official serves is a member, and approved by the commission under subsection (2) of this section. [2007 c.865 §5; 2007 c.877 §39b]
244.170 [1975 c.216 §1a; repealed by 2003 c.14 §117]
244.175 Definitions for ORS 244.177 and 244.179. As used in ORS 244.177 and 244.179:
(1) “Governing body” has the meaning given that term in ORS 192.610.
(2) “Public body” has the meaning given that term in ORS 174.109. [2007 c.865 §26b; 2009 c.689 §3; 2013 c.42 §2]
244.177 Employment of relative or member of household; exceptions. (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) to (4) of this section:
(a) A public official may not appoint, employ or promote a relative or member of the household to, or discharge, fire or demote a relative or member of the household from, a position with the public body that the public official serves or over which the public official exercises jurisdiction or control, unless the public official complies with the conflict of interest requirements of this chapter.
(b) A public official may not participate as a public official in any interview, discussion or debate regarding the appointment, employment or promotion of a relative or member of the household to, or the discharge, firing or demotion of a relative or member of the household from, a position with the public body that the public official serves or over which the public official exercises jurisdiction or control. As used in this paragraph, “participate” does not include serving as a reference, providing a recommendation or performing other ministerial acts that are part of the normal job functions of the public official.
(2) A member of the Legislative Assembly may appoint, employ, promote, discharge, fire or demote, or advocate for the appointment, employment, promotion, discharge, firing or demotion of, a relative or member of the household to or from a position on the personal legislative staff of the member of the Legislative Assembly.
(3)(a) A public official may appoint, employ, promote, discharge, fire or demote, or advocate for the appointment, employment, promotion, discharge, firing or demotion of, a relative or member of the household to or from a position as an unpaid volunteer with the public body that the public official serves or over which the public official exercises jurisdiction or control.
(b) Paragraph (a) of this subsection does not apply to the appointment, employment, promotion, discharge, firing or demotion of a relative or member of the household to a position as an unpaid member of a governing body of the public body that the public official serves or over which the public official exercises jurisdiction or control.
(c) A relative or member of the household described in paragraph (a) of this subsection may receive reimbursement of expenses provided in the ordinary course of business to similarly situated unpaid volunteers.
(4) This section does not prohibit a public body from appointing, employing, promoting, discharging, firing or demoting a person who is a relative or member of the household of a public official serving the public body. [2007 c.865 §26c]
244.179 Supervision of relative or member of household; exceptions. (1) Notwithstanding ORS 659A.309 and except as provided in subsections (2) to (4) of this section, a public official acting in an official capacity may not directly supervise a person who is a relative or member of the household.
(2) A member of the Legislative Assembly may directly supervise a person who:
(a) Is a relative or member of the household; and
(b) Serves as a public official in a position on the personal legislative staff of the member of the Legislative Assembly.
(3)(a) A public official acting in an official capacity may directly supervise a person who is a relative or member of the household if the person serves as an unpaid volunteer.
(b) Paragraph (a) of this subsection does not apply to service by a person in a position as an unpaid member of a governing body that a public official of whom the person is a relative or member of the household serves or over which the public official exercises jurisdiction or control.
(c) A relative or member of the household serving as an unpaid volunteer described in paragraph (a) of this subsection may receive reimbursement of expenses provided in the ordinary course of business to similarly situated unpaid volunteers.
(4) A public body may adopt policies specifying when a public official acting in an official capacity may directly supervise a person who is a relative or member of the household. [2007 c.865 §26d]
244.180 [1975 c.216 §2; 1987 c.566 §16; 2005 c.22 §186; repealed by 2007 c.865 §41]
244.190 [1975 c.216 §3; 1987 c.566 §17; 2005 c.22 §187; repealed by 2007 c.865 §41]
244.195 [1979 c.332 §2; 2007 c.865 §10; renumbered 244.162 in 2007]
244.201 [1983 c.350 §63 (enacted in lieu of 244.200 and 244.210); 1995 c.712 §95; repealed by 2007 c.865 §41]
244.205 Legal expense trust fund; establishment; eligible legal expenses. (1) Subject to the authorization of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission as described in ORS 244.209, a public official may establish a legal expense trust fund if the public official incurs or reasonably expects to incur legal expenses described in subsection (2) of this section.
(a) The issuance of a court’s stalking protective order under ORS 30.866 or 163.738;
(b) The issuance of a citation under ORS 163.735;
(c) A criminal prosecution under ORS 163.732;
(d) A civil action under ORS 30.866; or
(e) Defending the public official in a proceeding or investigation brought or maintained by a public body as defined in ORS 174.109.
(5) The provisions of ORS chapter 130 do not apply to a trust fund established under ORS 244.205 to 244.221. [2007 c.877 §29; 2009 c.505 §1]
244.207 Use of fund proceeds. (1) The proceeds of a legal expense trust fund may be used to:
(a) Defray legal expenses described in ORS 244.205;
244.209 Application to establish fund; commission review and authorization. (1) A public official may apply to establish a legal expense trust fund by filing an application with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. The application must contain:
(a) A copy of an executed trust agreement described in subsection (2) of this section;
(b) A sworn affidavit described in subsection (3) of this section signed by the public official; and
(c) A sworn affidavit described in subsection (4) of this section signed by the trustee.
(2) The trust agreement must contain the following:
(a) A provision incorporating by reference the provisions of ORS 244.205 to 244.221; and
(b) A designation of a trustee under ORS 244.211.
(3) The affidavit of the public official must state:
(a) The nature of the legal proceeding that requires establishment of the trust fund;
(b) That the public official will comply with the provisions of ORS 244.205 to 244.221; and
(c) That the public official is responsible for the proper administration of the trust fund.
(4) The affidavit of the trustee must state that the trustee:
(a) Has read and understands ORS 244.205 to 244.221; and
(b) Consents to administer the trust fund in compliance with ORS 244.205 to 244.221.
(5) Upon receiving an application under this section, the commission shall review the trust agreement, the affidavits and any supporting documents or instruments filed to determine whether the application meets the requirements of ORS 244.205 to 244.221. If the commission determines that the application meets the requirements of ORS 244.205 to 244.221, the commission shall grant written authorization to the public official to establish the trust fund.
(6) The commission shall review the quarterly statements required under ORS 244.217 and shall monitor the activities of each trust fund to ensure continued compliance with ORS 244.205 to 244.221.
(7) Unless subject to the attorney-client privilege, all documents required to be filed relating to the creation and administration of a trust fund are public records subject to disclosure as provided in ORS 192.311 to 192.478.
(8) A public official may not establish a legal expense trust fund without receiving prior written authorization of the commission as described in this section.
(9) A public official may file an amendment to a trust agreement approved as part of a trust fund under this section. The commission shall approve the amendment if the commission determines the amendment meets the requirements of ORS 244.205 to 244.221. [2007 c.877 §31; 2009 c.505 §3]
244.211 Duties of trustee. (1) The trustee of a legal expense trust fund is responsible for:
(c) The filing of quarterly statements required under ORS 244.217; and
244.213 Contributions to fund. (1) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, any person may contribute to a legal expense trust fund established under ORS 244.205 to 244.221.
(2) A person may make contributions of moneys to a legal expense trust fund in unlimited amounts. Pro bono legal assistance and other in-kind assistance may also be provided without limit and is considered a contribution subject to the reporting requirements of ORS 244.217.
(3) A political committee as defined in ORS 260.005 that is a principal campaign committee may not contribute to a legal expense trust fund. [2007 c.877 §33]
244.215 Fund account. (1) A trustee of a legal expense trust fund shall establish a single exclusive account in a financial institution, as defined in ORS 706.008. The financial institution must be located in this state and must ordinarily conduct business with the general public in this state.
244.217 Statement of contributions received and expenditures made. (1) The trustee of a legal expense trust fund shall, according to the schedule described in subsection (3) of this section, file with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission a statement for the applicable reporting period showing contributions received by the trustee and expenditures made from the trust fund account established under ORS 244.215.
(3) Statements required to be filed with the commission under this section shall be filed according to the schedule described in ORS 244.218.
244.218 Quarterly filing of statements. Statements required to be filed with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission under ORS 244.217 shall be filed in each calendar year:
Note: 244.218 was added to and made a part of ORS chapter 244 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.
244.219 Termination of fund. (1) A legal expense trust fund established under ORS 244.205 to 244.221 may be terminated by:
244.221 Disposition of moneys in terminated fund; distribution of award of attorney fees, costs or money judgment. (1) Not later than 30 days after a legal expense trust fund is terminated, the trustee of the fund shall return any moneys remaining in the fund to contributors to the fund on a pro rata basis.
244.250 Oregon Government Ethics Commission; appointment; term; quorum; compensation; legal counsel. (1) The Oregon Government Ethics Commission is established, consisting of nine members. The appointment of a member of the commission is subject to confirmation by the Senate in the manner provided in ORS 171.562 and 171.565. Members shall be appointed in the following manner:
(a) The Governor shall appoint eight members from among persons recommended, two each by the leadership of the Democratic and Republican parties in each house of the Legislative Assembly. If a person recommended by the leadership of the Democratic or Republican party is not approved by the Governor, the leadership shall recommend another person.
(b) The Governor shall appoint one member without leadership recommendation.
(2) A person who holds any public office listed in ORS 244.050 (1) except as a member of the commission may not be appointed to the commission. No more than three members may be members of the same political party.
(3) The term of office of a member is four years. A member is not eligible to be appointed to more than one full term but may serve out an unexpired term. Vacancies shall be filled by the appointing authority for the unexpired term.
(5) A quorum consists of five members but a final decision may not be made without an affirmative vote of a majority of the members appointed to the commission.
(7) The commission may retain or appoint qualified legal counsel who must be a member of the Oregon State Bar and who is responsible to the commission. The appointment of legal counsel under this subsection may be made only when the commission finds it is inappropriate and contrary to the public interest for the office of the Attorney General to represent concurrently more than one public official or agency in any matter before the commission because the representation:
(a) Would create or tend to create a conflict of interest; and
(b) Is not subject to ORS 180.230 or 180.235.
(8) The Attorney General may not represent before the commission any state public official who is the subject of any complaint or action of the commission at the commission’s own instigation. [1974 c.72 §12; 1977 c.588 §6; 1987 c.566 §18; 1991 c.770 §3; 1993 c.743 §17; 2007 c.865 §1; 2015 c.619 §1]
244.255 Commission funding; rules. (1) The Oregon Government Ethics Commission shall estimate in advance the expenses that it will incur during a biennium in carrying out the provisions of ORS 171.725 to 171.785 and 171.992 and this chapter. The commission shall also determine what percentage of the expenses should be borne by the following two groups of public bodies:
(b) The commission shall set the charge for local governments, local service districts and special government bodies that are subject to the Municipal Audit Law so that each local government, local service district or special government body described in this paragraph pays an amount of the total expenses for the group that bears the same proportion to the total expenses that the amount charged to the local government, local service district or special government body for the municipal audit fee under ORS 297.485 bears to the total amount assessed for the municipal audit fee.
(4) All moneys received by the commission under this section shall be credited to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission Account established under ORS 244.345.
(a) “Local government” and “local service district” have the meanings given those terms in ORS 174.116.
(c) “Public official,” notwithstanding ORS 244.020 (15), means any person who, on the date the commission charges the public body under this section, is serving the public body as an officer or employee.
(d) “Special government body” has the meaning given that term in ORS 174.117.
(e) “State government” has the meaning given that term in ORS 174.111. [2007 c.877 §2; 2009 c.68 §11; 2015 c.620 §7]
244.260 Complaint and adjudicatory process; confidentiality; Preliminary Review Phase; presentation of statement of facts and recommendations; Investigatory Phase; possible actions by order; report of findings; contested case procedure; limitation on commission action. (1)(a) Any person may file with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission a signed written complaint alleging that there has been a violation of any provision of this chapter or of any rule adopted by the commission under this chapter. The complaint shall state the person’s reason for believing that a violation occurred and include any evidence relating to the alleged violation.
(9) Hearings conducted under this chapter must be held before an administrative law judge assigned from the Office of Administrative Hearings established under ORS 183.605. The procedure shall be that for a contested case under ORS chapter 183.
244.270 Findings as grounds for removal; notice to public bodies. (1) If the Oregon Government Ethics Commission finds that an appointed public official has violated any provision of this chapter or any rule adopted under this chapter, the finding is prima facie evidence of unfitness where removal is authorized for cause either by law or pursuant to section 6, Article VII (Amended) of the Oregon Constitution.
(2) If the commission finds that a public official has violated any provision of this chapter or any rule adopted under this chapter, the commission shall notify the public body, as defined in ORS 174.109, that the public official serves. The notice shall describe the violation and any action taken by the commission. The commission shall provide the notice not later than 10 business days after the date the commission takes final action against the public official. [1974 c.72 §14; 1977 c.588 §7; 2007 c.865 §11]
244.280 Commission advisory opinions; effect of reliance on opinion. (1) Upon the written request of any person, or upon its own motion, the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, under signature of the chairperson, may issue and publish written commission advisory opinions on the application of any provision of this chapter to any proposed transaction or action or any actual or hypothetical circumstance. A commission advisory opinion, and a decision by the commission to issue an advisory opinion on its own motion, must be approved by a majority of the members of the commission. Legal counsel to the commission shall review a proposed commission advisory opinion before the opinion is considered by the commission.
(3) Except as provided in this subsection, unless the commission advisory opinion is revised or revoked, the commission may not impose a penalty under ORS 244.350 or 244.360 on a person for any good faith action the person takes in reliance on an advisory opinion issued under this section. The commission may impose a penalty under ORS 244.350 or 244.360 on the person who requested the advisory opinion if the commission determines that the person omitted or misstated material facts in making the request. [1974 c.72 §15; 1975 c.543 §9; 1977 c.588 §8; 1987 c.566 §19; 1991 c.272 §2; 1993 c.743 §13; 2007 c.865 §12; 2007 c.877 §25a]
244.282 Executive director and staff advisory opinions; effect of reliance on opinion. (1) Upon the written request of any person, the executive director of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission may issue and publish written staff advisory opinions on the application of any provision of this chapter to any proposed transaction or action or any actual or hypothetical circumstance.
(b) The commission may impose, for an action that is subject to a penalty and that is taken in reliance on a staff advisory opinion issued under this section, a penalty under ORS 244.350 or 244.360 on the person who requested the opinion if the commission determines that the person omitted or misstated material facts in making the request.
(4) At each regular meeting of the commission, the executive director shall report to the commission on all staff advisory opinions issued since the last regular meeting of the commission. The commission on its own motion may issue a commission advisory opinion under ORS 244.280 on the same facts or circumstances that form the basis for any staff advisory opinion. [2007 c.865 §14; 2007 c.877 §39c; 2009 c.68 §12]
244.284 Staff advice; effect of reliance on advice. (1) Upon the written or oral request of any person, the executive director or other staff of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission may issue written or oral staff advice on the application of any provision of this chapter to any proposed transaction or action or any actual or hypothetical circumstance. Any written advice not designated as a staff advisory opinion under ORS 244.282 is considered staff advice issued under this section.
(2) Before imposing any penalty under ORS 244.350 or 244.360, the commission may consider whether the action that may be subject to penalty was taken in reliance on staff advice issued under this section. [2007 c.865 §15; 2007 c.877 §39d]
244.290 General duties of commission; rules. (1) The Oregon Government Ethics Commission shall:
(a) Prescribe forms for statements required by this chapter and provide the forms to persons required to file the statements under this chapter or pursuant to a resolution adopted under ORS 244.160.
(f) Not later than February 1 of each odd-numbered year, report to the Legislative Assembly any recommended changes to provisions of ORS 171.725 to 171.785 or this chapter.
(2) The commission shall adopt rules necessary to carry out its duties under ORS 171.725 to 171.785 and 171.992 and this chapter, including rules to:
(e) Establish a procedure under which the commission shall conduct accuracy audits of a sample of reports or statements filed with the commission under this chapter or ORS 171.725 to 171.785;
(f) Describe the application of provisions exempting items from the definition of “gift” in ORS 244.020;
(a) Limit the minimum size of, or otherwise establish criteria for or identify, the smaller classes that qualify under the class exception from the definition of “potential conflict of interest” under ORS 244.020;
(c) Establish criteria for cases in which information relating to notices of actual or potential conflicts of interest shall, may not or may be provided to the commission under ORS 244.130; or
(d) Allow the commission to accept the filing of a statement containing less than all of the information required under ORS 244.060 and 244.070 if the public official or candidate certifies on the statement that the information contained on the statement previously filed is unchanged or certifies only as to any changed material.
(5) The commission shall adopt by rule an electronic filing system under which statements required to be filed under ORS 244.050 and 244.217 must be filed, without a fee, with the commission in an electronic format.
(a) Statements filed under ORS 244.050 and 244.217;
(c) Findings issued by the commission under ORS 244.260 in instances where the commission determines that there has been a violation of a provision of this chapter or of any rule adopted by the commission under this chapter. Nothing in this paragraph requires the commission to make publicly available materials that are otherwise exempt from public disclosure or that are required to be kept confidential by the commission; and
(d) Lobbyist registration statements and revisions and updates to lobbyist registration statements filed under ORS 171.740. The information required under this paragraph must be available in a searchable format for review by the public using the Internet not later than one calendar day after the lobbyist files the information with the commission. [1974 c.72 §17; 1987 c.566 §20; 1993 c.743 §23; 2007 c.865 §3; 2007 c.877 §§9c,9d; 2009 c.68 §§13,14; 2015 c.619 §3; 2015 c.666 §§1,2; 2016 c.101 §1]
244.300 Status of records. (1) Records of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission are public records of this state.
244.310 Executive director. (1) The Oregon Government Ethics Commission shall appoint an executive director to serve at the pleasure of the commission.
(2) The executive director is responsible for the administrative operations of the commission and shall perform such other duties as may be designated or assigned to the executive director from time to time by the commission. The executive director may designate a person employed by the commission to fulfill any duty or responsibility assigned to the executive director by law or by the commission.
(3) The commission may not delegate the power to adopt rules or issue commission advisory opinions to the executive director. The executive director may issue staff advisory opinions as provided in ORS 244.282. [1974 c.72 §16; 2007 c.865 §16; 2017 c.557 §1]
244.320 Manual on government ethics; effect of reliance on manual; revision. (1) The Oregon Government Ethics Commission shall prepare and publish a manual on government ethics that explains in terms understandable to legislative and public officials and the public the requirements of this chapter and the commission’s interpretation of those requirements whether stated by rule or in an opinion. The manual shall set forth recommended uniform reporting methods for use by persons filing statements under this chapter. The manual, and any updates to the manual made under subsection (3) of this section, must be approved by a vote of a majority of the members of the commission.
(5) The commission may not impose a penalty under ORS 244.350 or 244.360 on a public official or candidate for any good faith action the public official or candidate takes in reliance on the manual, or any update to the manual, approved by the commission under this section. [1991 c.522 §2; 2007 c.865 §36; 2009 c.68 §15]
244.330 Distribution of manual on government ethics. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission shall distribute, insofar as is practicable, copies of its ethics manual to every public official. The commission shall seek the assistance of professional associations that represent public officials in its efforts to comply with this section. [1993 c.714 §4]
Note: 244.330 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 244 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.
244.340 Continuing education program. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission shall prepare and present a program of continuing education for public officials. The commission may use its own staff or may contract for the preparation or presentation of the program of continuing education. [1993 c.714 §5; 2007 c.865 §37]
244.345 Oregon Government Ethics Commission Account. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission Account is established separate and distinct from the General Fund. All moneys received by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, other than appropriations from the General Fund, shall be deposited into the account and are continuously appropriated to the commission to carry out the duties, functions and powers of the commission. [2001 c.716 §11; 2007 c.865 §40a]
244.350 Civil penalties; letter of reprimand or explanation. (1) The Oregon Government Ethics Commission may impose civil penalties not to exceed:
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection, $5,000 for violation of any provision of this chapter or any resolution adopted under ORS 244.160.
(b) $25,000 for violation of ORS 244.045.
(c) $10,000 for willfully violating ORS 244.040.
(2)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, the commission may impose civil penalties not to exceed $1,000 for violation of any provision of ORS 192.660.
(3) The commission may impose civil penalties not to exceed $250 for violation of ORS 293.708. A civil penalty imposed under this subsection is in addition to and not in lieu of a civil penalty that may be imposed under subsection (1) of this section.
(4)(a) The commission may impose civil penalties on a person who fails to file the statement required under ORS 244.050 or 244.217. In enforcing this subsection, the commission is not required to follow the procedures in ORS 244.260 before finding that a violation of ORS 244.050 or 244.217 has occurred.
(b) Failure to file the required statement in timely fashion is prima facie evidence of a violation of ORS 244.050 or 244.217.
(c) The commission may impose a civil penalty of $10 for each of the first 14 days the statement is late beyond the date set by law, or by the commission under ORS 244.050, and $50 for each day thereafter. The maximum penalty that may be imposed under this subsection is $5,000.
244.355 Failure to file trading statement. A person who intentionally fails to file a complete and accurate statement under ORS 244.055 commits a Class C felony. [2007 c.865 §31]
244.360 Additional civil penalty equal to twice amount of financial benefit. In addition to civil penalties imposed under ORS 244.350, if a public official has financially benefited the public official or any other person by violating any provision of this chapter, the Oregon Government Ethics Commission may impose upon the public official a civil penalty in an amount equal to twice the amount the public official or other person realized as a result of the violation. [1974 c.72 §20; 1987 c.566 §21; 2007 c.865 §19; 2007 c.877 §12a]
244.370 Civil penalty procedure; disposition of penalties. (1) Any civil penalty under ORS 244.350 or 244.360 shall be imposed in the manner prescribed by ORS 183.745.
(2) All penalties recovered under ORS 244.350 and 244.360 shall be paid into the State Treasury and credited to the General Fund. [1974 c.72 §21; 1977 c.588 §11; 1989 c.706 §10; 1991 c.734 §13; 2007 c.865 §25; 2013 c.43 §1]
244.380 [1974 c.72 §23; 1975 c.543 §12; 1977 c.588 §12; 1987 c.566 §22; 1995 c.607 §69; 2007 c.865 §20; repealed by 2009 c.689 §7]
244.390 Status of penalties and sanctions; consideration of other penalties imposed. (1) A penalty or sanction imposed by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission under this chapter is in addition to and not in lieu of any other penalty or sanction that may be imposed according to law.
(2) Before making a finding that there is cause to undertake an investigation under ORS 244.260 and before imposing a civil penalty under ORS 244.350 or 244.360, the commission shall consider the public interest and any other penalty or sanction that has been or may be imposed on the public official as a result of the same conduct that is the subject of action by the commission under ORS 244.260.
244.400 Attorney fees for person prevailing in contested case. (1) A person who prevails following a contested case hearing under this chapter or ORS 171.778 shall be awarded reasonable attorney fees at the conclusion of the contested case or on appeal.