Oregon Statutes 244.320 – Manual on government ethics; effect of reliance on manual; revision
(1) The Oregon Government Ethics Commission shall prepare and publish a manual on government ethics that explains in terms understandable to legislative and public officials and the public the requirements of this chapter and the commission’s interpretation of those requirements whether stated by rule or in an opinion. The manual shall set forth recommended uniform reporting methods for use by persons filing statements under this chapter. The manual, and any updates to the manual made under subsection (3) of this section, must be approved by a vote of a majority of the members of the commission.
Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 244.320
- Candidate: means an individual for whom a declaration of candidacy, nominating petition or certificate of nomination to public office has been filed or whose name is printed on a ballot or is expected to be or has been presented, with the individual's consent, for nomination or election to public office. 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
(2) In preparing the manual, the commission shall consider the format of the manual prepared by the Attorney General to guide public officials and the public in the requirements of ORS Chapter 192.
(3) The commission shall update the manual as often as the commission believes necessary but no less frequently than once every four years.
(4) The commission shall make copies of the manual available in an electronic format on the Internet.
(5) The commission may not impose a penalty under ORS § 244.350 or 244.360 on a public official or candidate for any good faith action the public official or candidate takes in reliance on the manual, or any update to the manual, approved by the commission under this section. [1991 c.522 § 2; 2007 c.865 § 36; 2009 c.68 § 15]