House Bill 4067

Provides affirmative defense to public <i>or nonprofit organization</i>] employee <b>and certain nonprofit employee</b> whistleblowers who provide lawfully accessed information to state <b>or federal</b> regulatory agency, law enforcement agency, <i>member of Legislative Assembly,</i>] manager employed by employer or employee's attorney <i>licensed in Oregon</i>]. Bars affirmative defense if information is disclosed or redisclosed to other party. <b>Bars affirmative defense if information disclosed is stated in commercial exclusive negotiating agreement or commercial nondisclosure agreement involving public or nonprofit employer. Denies affirmative defense if information disclosed relates to individual coworker or supervisor unless information disclosed relates to coworker or supervisor's scope of employment.</b> Provides that attorney or employee of attorney may not assert affirmative defense if information disclosed relates to representation of client. <b>Subjects disclosures to rules of professional conduct.</b> Requires public and nonprofit employers to establish policies for employee whistleblowers <b>and notify employees of whistleblower rights under Act</b>. <i>Requires</i>] <b>Allows</b> attorneys who work for public employers to report violations of law <b>to Attorney General</b>, subject to rules of professional conduct. Provides that information disclosed remains subject to attorney-client privilege <b>and public records law. Acknowledges supremacy of federal law over state law</b>. <i>Creates whistleblower protection for nonprofit employees.</i>] <b>Extends public whistleblower protection to employees of nonprofit organizations that accept public funds.</b> Makes certain violations subject to maximum penalty of one year's imprisonment, $6,250 fine, or both. <i>Authorizes court to award civil damages up to $10,000 and punitive damages in addition to existing remedies.</i>] <b>Provides right to jury trial and punitive damages.</b>

In the House of Representatives

• Knute Buehler

  Sponsor

• Val Hoyle

  Chief co-sponsor

In the Senate

• Sara Gelser Blouin

  Sponsor

• Bill Hansell, Jeff Kruse, Doug Whitsett, Tim Knopp, Richard Devlin

  Chief co-sponsors

• House of Representatives, third reading59–0

  Passed · Feb 17 · 1 present

• Senate, third reading27–1

  Passed · Feb 29 · 2 present

• House of Representatives, concurrence58–0

  Agreed to the other chamber's changes · Mar 1 · 2 present

• House of Representatives committee amendmentAdopted

  Adopted Feb 15

• Senate committee amendmentAdopted

  Adopted Feb 24

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

In the House of Representatives Jan 27 – Feb 17

1. Jan 27Filed before the session
2. Feb 1Introduced
3. Sent to Judiciary
4. Feb 9Heard in Judiciary
5. Feb 11Heard in Judiciary
6. Feb 15Judiciary recommended it as amended
7. Feb 16Read a second time
8. Feb 17Passed the House of Representatives, 59 to 0

In the Senate Feb 18 – Feb 29

1. Feb 18Arrived in the Senate
2. Sent to Judiciary
3. Feb 22Heard in Judiciary
4. Feb 23Heard in Judiciary
5. Feb 24Judiciary recommended it as amended
6. Feb 25Read a second time
7. Feb 29Passed the Senate, 27 to 1

Back in the House of Representatives Mar 1 – Mar 2

1. Mar 1The House of Representatives agreed to the Senate's amendments and passed it again, 58 to 0
2. Mar 2Signed in the House of Representatives

To the Governor Mar 4 – Apr 14

1. Mar 4Signed in the Senate
2. Mar 29Signed by the Governor
3. Apr 14Became chapter 73 of Oregon Laws 2016, in force from January 1, 2017