The Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC), established by vote of the people in 1974, is a seven-member citizen commission charged with enforcing government standards and practices (ethics) laws. Since volunteer advisory committees are considered public bodies under Oregon law and members are considered public officials, government standards and practices laws apply to persons serving on public bodies. Formerly, the agency was known as the Oregon Government Standards and Practices Commission.
Oregon’s ethics laws prohibit any public official from gaining financially as a result of his or her position, including those public officials receiving salaries. No public official shall use or attempt to use an official position to obtain financial gain or avoid financial detriment (ORS 244.040(1).
No public official shall solicit or receive any gift(s) with an aggregate value of more than $50 from any single source who could reasonably be know to have an interest in committee business. A gift is defined as something of value for which the official does not pay back equal value. This does not mean that an official cannot receive any gifts if he or she serves on a committee. The law only applies to gifts from people with an administrative or legislative interest in the committee's business, and only if the value of all gifts received exceeds the $50 in any calendar year. Gifts of entertainment are included in the $50 gift limit. The law does not apply to gifts received from relatives.
A conflict exists if a decision or recommendation potentially could affect the finances of the board member or the finances of a family member. If a conflict exists, the board member must declare this fact at a meeting where the issue is discussed and may need to refrain from discussing or voting on the matter. The laws surrounding conflicts of interest are confusing but also contain exemptions that may apply. If you are unsure whether a conflict exists, you should contact the staff person assisting your committee or call Marion County Legal Counsel at (503) 588-5220 to discuss the matter.