Vetoed by Governor Tina Kotek

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that limits government officials' communication outside of public meetings in Oregon.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a quorum of a public governing body from using a series of communications of any kind, either directly or through intermediaries, to circumvent open meetings requirements (Sec. 2).

• Requires meetings of a public governing body to be held in person, through the use of electronic or telephonic means, or a combination (Sec. 5).

• Authorizes communications between or among members of a governing body outside of public meetings if the communication satisfies the following (Sec. 7):

• It is related purely to procedural matters and convey no deliberation or decision on the substance of the matter in question;

• It contains only factual or educational information or that share the views of someone other than a member of the governing body;

• It is made to representatives of the news media, constituents, members of the public, or other persons, unless the persons are being used as intermediaries to allow the governing body to engage in deliberations or make a decision; or

• It is made for the purpose of gathering information related to a decision that will be deliberated upon or made by the governing body.

• Requires members of a public governing body that has expenditures for a fiscal year of $1 million or more to attend a training during their term of office that covers best practices for communications (Sec. 8).

• Authorizes a civil penalty to be imposed against a public body for violation of this act (Sec. 11).

• Appropriates $325,950 from the General Fund to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to carry out this act (Sec. 12).

• Specifies that this act takes effect 91 days after the adjournment of the 2026 legislative session (Sec. 13).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that limits government officials' communication outside of public meetings in Oregon.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a quorum of a public governing body from using a series of communications of any kind, either directly or through intermediaries, to circumvent open meetings requirements (Sec. 2).

• Requires meetings of a public governing body to be held in person, through the use of electronic or telephonic means, or a combination (Sec. 5).

• Authorizes communications between or among members of a governing body outside of public meetings if the communication satisfies the following (Sec. 7):

• It is related purely to procedural matters and convey no deliberation or decision on the substance of the matter in question;

• It contains only factual or educational information or that share the views of someone other than a member of the governing body;

• It is made to representatives of the news media, constituents, members of the public, or other persons, unless the persons are being used as intermediaries to allow the governing body to engage in deliberations or make a decision; or

• It is made for the purpose of gathering information related to a decision that will be deliberated upon or made by the governing body.

• Requires members of a public governing body that has expenditures for a fiscal year of $1 million or more to attend a training during their term of office that covers best practices for communications (Sec. 8).

• Authorizes a civil penalty to be imposed against a public body for violation of this act (Sec. 11).

• Appropriates $325,950 from the General Fund to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to carry out this act (Sec. 12).

• Specifies that this act takes effect 91 days after the adjournment of the 2026 legislative session (Sec. 13).

Full Bill Text