Senate Rules Committee Passes Out Ethics Reform Package

Legislation tightens reporting requirements, increases penalties and limits gifts, among other reforms.

Photo by: Tim King

(SALEM) - The Senate Rules Committee today passed out Senate Bill 10, a package of reforms to Oregon’s ethics laws for public officials. The five-point plan would tighten reporting requirements, strengthen enforcement, limit gifts, increase penalties for violations and implement a “revolving door” limit on legislators becoming lobbyists.

“This ethics reform package responds to the long overdue need to clarify ethics rules and strengthen the penalties for violations,” said Senate Majority Leader Kate Brown (D-Portland), chair of the committee. “It also gets the fox out of the henhouse by establishing independent funding for the GSPC.”

“Oregonians expect independence and accountability from their legislators,” said Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem/Gervais/Woodburn). “I believe this package will help restore the public’s confidence in its legislature.”

Senate Bill 10 is the result of weeks of hearings and public testimony, creating a reform package that adds clarity and consistency to Oregon’s ethics laws. The legislation will create an independent funding source for the Government Standards and Practices Commission (GSPC), addressing previous staffing and workload issues due to budget cuts.

The bill also increases the ceiling for civil penalties for violations from $1,000 to $5,000 and would require a legislator to wait one regular session before becoming a lobbyist. Gifts to legislators would be limited to $50 in total value from any one person in a calendar year and legislators would need to file Statements of Economic Interest quarterly.

“After a lot of work and input into the bill, I am excited to move this important ethics package out of committee,” said Senator Brown. “Oregonians expect ethics reform and we are committed to delivering.”

“This is an issue of great importance for the legislature and I am pleased to move this bill forward after all of the work done over the interim,” said Senator Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose), member of the committee.

Senate Bill 10 now moves on to the Ways and Means Committee for consideration.