(1) The Oregon Government Ethics Commission is established, consisting of nine members. The appointment of a member of the commission is subject to confirmation by the Senate in the manner provided in ORS § 171.562 and 171.565. Members shall be appointed in the following manner:

Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 244.250

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Person: includes individuals, corporations, associations, firms, partnerships, limited liability companies and joint stock companies. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
  • Public office: has the meaning given that term in ORS § 260. See Oregon Statutes 244.020
  • Public official: means the First Partner and any person who, when an alleged violation of this chapter occurs, is serving the State of Oregon or any of its political subdivisions or any other public body as defined in ORS § 174. See Oregon Statutes 244.020
  • Quorum: The number of legislators that must be present to do business.

(a) The Governor shall appoint eight members from among persons recommended, two each by the leadership of the Democratic and Republican parties in each house of the Legislative Assembly. If a person recommended by the leadership of the Democratic or Republican party is not approved by the Governor, the leadership shall recommend another person.

(b) The Governor shall appoint one member without leadership recommendation.

(2) A person who holds any public office listed in ORS § 244.050 (1) except as a member of the commission may not be appointed to the commission. No more than three members may be members of the same political party.

(3) The term of office of a member is four years. A member is not eligible to be appointed to more than two full terms but may additionally serve out an unexpired term. Vacancies shall be filled by the appointing authority for the unexpired term.

(4) The commission shall elect a chairperson and vice chairperson for such terms and duties as the commission may require.

(5) A quorum consists of five members but a final decision may not be made without an affirmative vote of a majority of the members appointed to the commission.

(6) Members shall be entitled to compensation and expenses as provided in ORS § 292.495.

(7) The commission may retain or appoint qualified legal counsel who must be a member of the Oregon State Bar and who is responsible to the commission. The appointment of legal counsel under this subsection may be made only when the commission finds it is inappropriate and contrary to the public interest for the office of the Attorney General to represent concurrently more than one public official or agency in any matter before the commission because the representation:

(a) Would create or tend to create a conflict of interest; and

(b) Is not subject to ORS § 180.230 or 180.235.

(8) The Attorney General may not represent before the commission any state public official who is the subject of any complaint or action of the commission at the commission’s own instigation. [1974 c.72 § 12; 1977 c.588 § 6; 1987 c.566 § 18; 1991 c.770 § 3; 1993 c.743 § 17; 2007 c.865 § 1; 2015 c.619 § 1; 2021 c.266 § 1]

 

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