House Bill 2595

<b>Changes name of Oregon Government Standards and Practices Commission to Oregon Government Ethics Commission.</b> Directs <i>Oregon Government Standards and Practices</i>] commission or court to consider public interest and other penalties that may be imposed on public official before imposing penalty for violation of government ethics laws. Directs commission to consider adoption of rules on issues of general interest to public officials or that are addressed by commission on recurring basis. Authorizes state agencies and statewide associations of public bodies to adopt government ethics rules or policies consistent with state law. Allows commission to approve or reject rules and policies. Prohibits commission or court from imposing penalty on public official if official acted in compliance with rule or policy approved by commission. Sets 60-day deadline for commission to address requests for commission advisory opinions. Allows one 60-day extension. Specifies that commission or court may not impose penalty on person for good faith action taken in reliance on commission advisory opinion. Sets 30-day deadline for executive director of commission to address requests for staff advisory opinions. Allows one 30-day extension. Specifies that before imposing penalty on person, commission or court must consider whether action subject to penalty was taken in reliance on staff advisory opinion. Authorizes staff of commission to issue written or oral staff advice. Specifies that before imposing penalty on person, commission or court may consider whether action subject to penalty was taken in reliance on staff advice. Increases amount of civil penalties that may be imposed for failure of person to file statement of economic interest. Increases maximum amount of civil penalty for violation of government ethics law from $1,000 to $5,000. Consolidates provisions specifying that requirements and penalties under government ethics law apply in addition to requirements and penalties applicable under other laws. Directs commission to notify public body that public official serves if commission determines public official violated provision of government ethics law. Specifies that violations of conflict of interest requirements applicable to members of Oregon Investment Council are subject to investigation and sanction by commission. Revises definition of "public servant" in criminal laws describing offenses against state and public justice to include public officials subject to government ethics law. Specifies that criminal penalties for false swearing apply to certified statements of economic interest. Revises provisions relating to commission adjudication processes. <b>Prohibits public official from appointing, employing or promoting relative or member of household to, or discharging, firing or demoting relative or member of household from, position with public body that public official serves unless public official complies with conflict of interest requirements. Prohibits public official from participating in interview, discussion or debate regarding appointment, employment, promotion, discharge, firing or demotion of relative or member of household. Provides exceptions for legislative staff and unpaid volunteers. Prohibits public official acting in official capacity from directly supervising relative or member of household. Provides exceptions. Allows public bodies to adopt policies specifying when public official may supervise relative or member of household.</b> Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2007.

In the House of Representatives

• House of Representatives, third reading54–0

  Passed · Jun 7 · 6 present

• Senate, third reading11–18

  Jun 24 · 1 present

• Senate, third reading29–0

  Passed · Jun 24 · 1 present

• House of Representatives, concurrence58–2

  Agreed to the other chamber's changes · Jun 25

• House of Representatives committee amendmentAdopted

  Adopted Jun 4

• Senate committee amendmentAdopted

  Adopted Jun 23

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

In the House of Representatives Feb 6 – Jun 7

1. Feb 6Introduced
2. Feb 9Sent to Elections, Ethics and Rules
3. Feb 28Heard in Elections, Ethics and Rules
4. Apr 4Heard in Elections, Ethics and Rules
5. May 23Heard in Elections, Ethics and Rules
6. Jun 4Elections, Ethics and Rules recommended it as amended
7. Jun 6Read a second time
8. Jun 7Passed the House of Representatives, 54 to 0

In the Senate Jun 8 – Jun 24

1. Jun 8Arrived in the Senate
2. Sent to Rules
3. Jun 16Heard in Rules
4. Jun 19Heard in Rules
5. Jun 23Rules recommended it as amended
6. Read a second time
7. Jun 24Passed the Senate, 29 to 0

Back in the House of Representatives Jun 25 – Jun 29

1. Jun 25The House of Representatives agreed to the Senate's amendments and passed it again, 58 to 2
2. Jun 29Signed in the House of Representatives

To the Governor Jul 9 – Jul 31

1. Jul 9Signed in the Senate
2. Jul 31Signed by the Governor
3. Became chapter 865 of Oregon Laws 2007, in force from July 31, 2007