Before Governor Brown left office, she requested SB 207 be introduced as the Government Ethics and Accountability Measure. The Senate passed SB 207 authorizing the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to proceed on its own motion to review and investigate, if the Commission has reason to believe that a public body conducted meetings in executive session that were not in compliance with laws authorizing executive sessions. It passed the Senate with 100% support from Democrats and 5 Republicans.

On the face of it, SB 207 may be a good monitor on alleged wayward and or negligent public bodies with reference to procedural responsibilities. However, the bill gives the Oregon Government Ethics Commission’s lawyers, whom are the Attorney General, the authority to initiate complaints, with the commission’s approval, against elected officials who might have violated executive session laws, but exempts the Legislative Assembly. It turns the Commission into a police agency instead of a complaint driven agency.

The Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber (D-Beaverton) claims the bill provides consistency for the Oregon Government Ethics Commission by allowing the Commission to provide uniform oversight across all three areas of its jurisdiction – Ethics, Lobby, and Executive Session laws.

Currently, the Commission is allowed to open cases by a motion of Commissioners when it has credible information about a potential violation of Ethics or Lobby laws. This legislation will allow the Commission to open cases on its own motion when it has credible information indicating potential violations of Oregon’s executive session laws.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Senate Majority Leader Lieber said “Government works best when it is accountable to the people. By providing consistency for OGEC, we will support the Commission’s work to impartially and effectively administer and enforce Oregon’s government ethics laws for the benefit of Oregon’s citizens.” She also points to, “improving government accountability and efficiency are key to Senate Democrats’ 2023 Oregon Works Agenda.”

However, Senator Brian Boquist(I-Polk/Yamhill) questions who they are trying to hold accountable. “It is hypocrisy. Just as the Attorney General’s self-investigation into OLCC and legislative corruption. Do as I say not as I do. The legislature ignores Masons Rules daily including open deliberations i.e. executive sessions. The Senate Rules including open deliberations are violated daily. The Senate violates the Oregon Constitution Article IV Section 14 requiring open deliberations daily along with other constitutional clauses. Yet, the Oregon State Senate voted to use the Attorney General and Ethics Commission to root out elected city, county and district public officials. It is hypocrisy and a legal double standard. If the Legislative Assembly wants ethical standards it needs to police itself before policing local government. SB 207 should either die in the House, or be amended to include the Legislative Assembly which is likely unconstitutional. Since the Legislature does not appear capable of leading by example, then SB 207 should die in the House. We can maybe be hopeful future elections will restore ethical standards to the legislative process at all levels. Voters need to hold public officials accountable.”

SB 207 now heads to the Oregon House of Representatives for consideration.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-03-24 16:24:44

Last Update: 2023-03-24 19:29:28