Oregon Government Ethics Commission Information

An Overview

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC), established by vote of the people in 1974, is a seven-member citizen commission charged with enforcing government ethic laws. Oregon government ethic laws prohibit public officials from using office for financial gain, and require public disclosure of economic conflict of interest. The OGEC also enforces state laws which require lobbyists and the entities they represent to register and periodically report their expenditures. The third area of OGEC jurisdiction is the executive session provisions of public meetings law.

History

During the Watergate scandal of the early seventies, Americans were confronted with deceit and misuse of power by elected officials. Citizens across the nation began calling for accountability from their governments. In response, Oregon was one of the first states to create laws designed to open government to greater public scrutiny.

In 1974, more than 70% of the voters approved a statewide ballot measure to create the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. The ballot measure also established a set of laws (ORS Chapter 244) requiring financial disclosure by certain officials and creating a process to deal with the inevitable question of conflict of interest. The drafters of the original laws recognized that "conflict of interest" is, indeed, inevitable in any government that relies on citizen lawmakers.

Staff

The OGEC is administered by an executive director selected by the commissioners. The commission also employs seven full-time staff member who are appointed by the executive director, including investigators, trainers, executive support, and administrative staff.

The OGEC members and staff consider that they are doing their job most successfully if they can help public officials avoid conduct that violates the relevant statutes. They encourage people to inquire into any point of the statutes prior to taking any action that may violate Oregon Government Ethic law, Lobbying Regulation law or the Executive Session provisions of Public Meetings law.

OGEC staffers are available for informal questions and discussions about statutes, administrative rules and the commission's process. Public officials are encouraged to contact OGEC staff at any time.

About Oregon Government Ethics Law

  • Applies to all elected and appointed officials, employees and volunteers at all levels of state and local government in all three branches
  • Prohibits use of public office for financial gain
  • Requires public disclosure of financial conflicts of interest
  • Requires designated elected and appointed officials to file an annual disclosure of sources of economic interest
  • Limits gifts that an official may receive per calendar year
  • Found in Oregon Revised Statutes, Chapter 244

About the Executive Session Provisions of Public Meetings Law

  • Authorizes specific, limited reasons for which a public body may meet in a closed session
  • Found in Oregon Revised Statutes 192.660 and 192.685

Summary of the Main Points

Financial Gain

No public official shall use or attempt to use an official position to obtain financial gain or avoid financial detriment. [ORS 244.040(1)] Oregon's ethics laws prohibit each public official from gaining a financial benefit or avoiding a financial cost as a result of his or her position. However, several specific benefits, such as compensation packages and reimbursed expenses, are allowed.

Gifts

No public official shall solicit or receive any gift(s) with a total value of more than $50 from any single source who could reasonably be known to have a financial interest in the official actions of that public official. A gift is defined as something of value given to a public official, for which the official does not pay an equal value. Gifts of entertainment are included in the $50 gift limit.

This does not mean that an official cannot receive any gifts. The law only restricts gifts from sources that have an administrative or legislative interest in the public official's actions, and does allow the public official to receive up to $50 worth of gifts from each source. In addition, unlimited gifts may be accepted from a source that does not have a legislative or administrative interest in the public official, and the public official may accept unlimited gifts from specified relatives.

Conflict of Interest

A conflict exists if a decision or recommendation could affect the finances of the public official or the finances of a relative. A few other situations can present a conflict of interest, as well. If a conflict of interest exists, the public official must always give notice of the conflict, and in some situations the public official is restricted in his ability to participate in the matter that presents the conflict of interest.

About Training

OGEC staffers are available for informal questions and discussions about statutes, administrative rules and the commission's process. You are welcome to contact OGEC staff at any time. If you call, you will speak to a real live person. OGEC does not have an automated phone tree.

OGEC is pleased to offer free online training through iLearn Oregon. Training modules are short, focused, and convenient. There are trainings on several topics, including conflicts of interest, gifts, and executive sessions.

Whether you are a public official or a private citizen, anyone with an email address can take training through iLearn Oregon at no cost. iLearn trainings are available from any internet connected computer.

Training Topics

  • Conflicts of Interest
  • Complaints
  • Ethics Statutes Overview for Employees and Other Appointed Officials
  • Ethics Statutes Overview for Elected Officials and Officials Appointed to Boards, Commissions, or Advisory Groups
  • Gifts
  • Introduction to Executive Sessions
  • Prohibited Use of Office
  • 2010 Legislative Changes