Chapter 173 — Legislative Service Agencies
2023 EDITION
LEGISLATIVE SERVICE AGENCIES
STATE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT AND LAWS
GENERAL PROVISIONS
173.005 Personnel policies for employees of statutory committees
173.007 Personnel policies applicable to regular employees of Legislative Assembly
FISCAL AND REVENUE IMPACT STATEMENTS
173.025 Preparation of fiscal impact and revenue impact statements for legislation affecting state or local governments; tax expenditure provisions
173.029 Preparation of statements for legislation creating new crime, increasing period of incarceration or otherwise modifying sentencing or state corrections policies
173.035 Submission of statements to Legislative Assembly
173.045 Revision of statements
173.051 Preparation of fiscal impact statements for legislation increasing employer contributions under Public Employees Retirement System
173.055 Contracts to provide fiscal data
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL COMMITTEE
173.111 Legislative Counsel Committee and office of Legislative Counsel established
173.120 Legislative Counsel to be in attendance upon legislative sessions
173.130 Performance of legislative services; charges
173.135 Participation in legal proceedings to protect legislative interests
173.140 Preparation of initiative measures
173.160 Powers and duties of Legislative Counsel in preparing editions for publication
173.191 Membership; term; vacancies; advisory committees
173.200 Selection of Legislative Counsel
173.210 Employment of staff
173.215 Effect of expiration of terms of committee members; Legislative Counsel vacancy
173.220 Location of Legislative Counsel’s office
173.230 Confidential nature of matters handled by committee’s staff
173.240 Committee’s staff prohibited from influencing legislation
OREGON LAW COMMISSION
173.315 Oregon Law Commission established; duties; membership; chairperson
173.325 Compensation and expenses of members
173.328 Commission meetings
173.335 Legislative Counsel assistance
173.338 Law revision program
173.342 Commission biennial report to Legislative Assembly
173.345 Cooperation with bar associations or other associations
173.347 Appearance of commission members or staff before Legislative Assembly
173.352 Work groups
173.355 Solicitation and receipt of gifts and grants
173.357 Disposition of moneys collected or received by commission
LEGISLATIVE FISCAL OFFICER
173.410 Appointing authority for Legislative Fiscal Officer; selection of officer
173.420 Duties of Legislative Fiscal Officer
173.450 Employment of staff; compensation and expenses of staff members
173.455 Maintaining confidentiality of draft measures
173.465 Legislative Fiscal Office Operating Fund
OREGON STATE CAPITOL FOUNDATION
173.500 Establishment; directors; powers and duties
173.505 Oregon State Capitol Foundation Operating Fund
173.515 Oregon Capitol History Gateway Fund
LEGISLATIVE POLICY AND RESEARCH COMMITTEE
173.605 Legislative Policy and Research Committee established; director
173.615 Membership; term; continuing existence; advisory committees; quorum
173.625 Effect of expiration of terms of committee members; director vacancy
173.635 Director duties and powers
LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
173.710 Legislative Administration Committee and office of Legislative Administrator established
173.720 Duties of Legislative Administrator
173.730 Committee membership; status; term; chairperson
173.740 Employment of staff; compensation and expenses of staff; staff prohibited from influencing legislation
173.750 Effect of expiration of terms of committee members
173.760 Advisory committees; compensation and expenses
173.763 Legislative information available on Internet
173.766 Electronic mail address; website
173.770 Rules regarding fees for services and obtaining copyrights and patents
173.780 Sale or lease of data processing programs, materials and information
173.785 Capitol gift shop; bidding; use of profits
173.790 Stores Revolving Account; Property and Supplies Stores Account
LEGISLATIVE REVENUE OFFICER
173.800 Appointing authority for Legislative Revenue Officer; selection of officer
173.810 Employment of staff; compensation and expenses
173.820 Duties and powers
173.830 Authority to accept and expend funds; disposition of moneys received
173.840 Designation as applicant for certain federal programs
173.850 Department of Revenue to provide assistance; status of reports and information
173.855 Maintaining confidentiality of draft measures
LEGISLATIVE EQUITY OFFICE
173.900 Joint Committee on Conduct established; Legislative Equity Office established; Legislative Equity Officer
173.903 Joint Committee on Conduct continuing existence; quorum; voting
173.906 Legislative Equity Officer vacancy
173.909 Duties and powers of Legislative Equity Officer
173.912 Contracting for independent investigator; investigator duties
173.915 Respectful workplace training
173.918 Adopting policies for lobbyist respectful workplace training
173.921 Culture and climate surveys
173.924 Reporting harassment to Legislative Equity Officer
173.927 Establishing and maintaining Capitol Leadership Team; team duties
173.930 Contracting for offsite process counselor
173.933 Offsite process counselor duties
173.936 Exemption from public record disclosure; exceptions to exemption
GENERAL PROVISIONS
173.005 Personnel policies for employees of statutory committees. (1) The appointing authority for regular employees of the Legislative Administration Committee, Legislative Counsel Committee or any other statutory committee or statutory office of the Legislative Assembly holding regular positions in the same sense as those held by regular employees of those statutory committees or offices, may adopt and follow policies in regard to working hours, leaves of absence, vacations and sick and disability leave for those employees consistent with the State Personnel Relations Law and applicable rules adopted pursuant thereto.
(2) The Legislative Administration Committee may adopt and follow policies in regard to vacation and sick leave for regular employees of the Legislative Assembly to whom subsection (1) of this section does not apply that are consistent with the provisions of the State Personnel Relations Law and applicable rules adopted pursuant thereto.
(3) Vacation and sick leave accrued by a regular employee of a statutory committee or office under subsection (1) of this section and by a regular employee of the Legislative Assembly under subsection (2) of this section shall be credited to the employee by the state agency in the executive or administrative branch that employs the regular employee immediately after that employee’s employment by a statutory committee or office or by the Legislative Assembly. [1971 c.638 §15; 1979 c.468 §38; 1979 c.509 §1a]
173.007 Personnel policies applicable to regular employees of Legislative Assembly. (1) If the Legislative Administration Committee adopts policies under ORS 173.005 (2), it may give credit for vacation and sick leave of regular employees of the Legislative Assembly that accrued prior to October 3, 1979, if:
(a) The policies adopted and the method of crediting the vacation and sick leave are consistent with the provisions of the State Personnel Relations Law and applicable rules adopted pursuant thereto; and
(b) The regular employee has not been compensated previously in any way for any vacation or sick leave.
(2) If the Legislative Administration Committee acts pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, vacation and sick leave accrued by a regular employee of the Legislative Assembly shall be credited as provided in ORS 173.005 (3) if a former regular employee is in the employ of a state agency in the executive or administrative branch. [1979 c.509 §§2,3]
173.010 [Amended by 1953 c.625 §4; repealed by 1953 c.492 §16]
173.015 [1953 c.625 §4; repealed by 1953 c.492 §16]
173.020 [Repealed by 1953 c.492 §16]
FISCAL AND REVENUE IMPACT STATEMENTS
173.025 Preparation of fiscal impact and revenue impact statements for legislation affecting state or local governments; tax expenditure provisions. (1) The Legislative Fiscal Officer, with the aid of the Legislative Revenue Officer, state agencies and affected local governmental units, including school districts, shall prepare a fiscal impact statement for each measure reported out of a committee of the Legislative Assembly that could have an effect on expenditures of the state or on expenditures of local governmental units, including school districts.
(2) The Legislative Revenue Officer, with aid of the Legislative Fiscal Officer, the Department of Revenue, state agencies and affected local governmental units, including school districts, shall prepare a revenue impact statement for each measure reported out of a committee of the Legislative Assembly that could have any effect on revenues of the state or on revenues of local governmental units, including school districts.
(3)(a) As used in this subsection, “tax expenditure” has the meaning given that term in ORS 291.201.
(b) If a revenue impact statement is prepared pursuant to subsection (2) of this section on a measure that creates a tax expenditure, the revenue impact statement must include the revenue impact of the measure for at least three consecutive biennia, beginning with the current biennium.
(c) If a revenue impact statement is prepared pursuant to subsection (2) of this section on a measure that creates or extends a tax expenditure, the revenue impact statement must include a statement describing the public policy purpose of the tax expenditure. The public policy purpose statement is subject to review by the committee recommending passage of the measure. [1977 c.414 §1; 1989 c.970 §2; 2007 c.828 §1; 2013 c.750 §44; 2016 c.117 §1; 2019 c.13 §31]
173.029 Preparation of statements for legislation creating new crime, increasing period of incarceration or otherwise modifying sentencing or state corrections policies. (1) For any measure reported out of a committee of the Legislative Assembly, the effect of which is to create a new crime, increase the period of incarceration allowed or required for an existing crime or otherwise modify sentencing or state corrections policies, the Legislative Fiscal Officer, with the aid of the Legislative Revenue Officer, state agencies and affected local governmental units, shall prepare a fiscal impact statement describing the fiscal impact that the measure would, if enacted, have on the state as well as on local governmental units.
(2) In particular and to the extent practicable, the Legislative Fiscal Officer shall determine and describe in the statement the following:
(a) The fiscal impact on state and local law enforcement agencies, including an estimate of the increase in anticipated number of arrests annually;
(b) The fiscal impact on state and local courts, including an estimate of the increase in the anticipated number of cases annually;
(c) The fiscal impact on district attorney offices, including an estimate of the increase in the anticipated number of prosecutions annually;
(d) The fiscal impact on public defense resources, including an estimate of the increase in the anticipated number of cases annually; and
(e) The fiscal impact on state and local corrections resources, including resources supporting parole and probation supervision, and also including an estimate of the increase in the anticipated number of bed-days to be used annually at both the state and local level as a result of the passage of the measure.
(3) The fiscal impact statement required under this section must describe the fiscal impact that the measure would, if enacted, have on the state as well as on local governmental units for 10 years, beginning on the effective date of the measure.
(4) A state agency that prepares and submits to the Legislative Fiscal Officer fiscal impact statements or related fiscal information applicable to a measure introduced before the Legislative Assembly, the effect of which is to create a new crime, increase the period of incarceration allowed or required for an existing crime or otherwise modify sentencing or state corrections policies, shall describe the fiscal impact that the measure would have on the state agency for 10 years, beginning on the effective date of the measure. [1987 c.854 §2; 2001 c.962 §103; 2007 c.828 §2; 2013 c.649 §46; 2016 c.117 §2]
173.030 [Amended by 1953 c.625 §4; repealed by 1953 c.492 §16]
173.035 Submission of statements to Legislative Assembly. The Legislative Fiscal Officer and Legislative Revenue Officer shall submit the statement prepared under ORS 173.025 or 173.029 to the Legislative Assembly at a time set by the rules of the house where the measure was introduced. [1977 c.414 §2; 1987 c.854 §3; 2016 c.117 §3]
173.040 [Repealed by 1953 c.492 §16]
173.045 Revision of statements. The Legislative Fiscal Officer and Legislative Revenue Officer shall review and revise the statement as measures are amended. [1977 c.414 §3]
173.050 [Amended by 1953 c.625 §4; repealed by 1953 c.492 §16]
173.051 Preparation of fiscal impact statements for legislation increasing employer contributions under Public Employees Retirement System. The Legislative Fiscal Officer, with the aid of the Public Employees Retirement Board and public employers providing benefits under ORS chapter 238A, shall prepare a fiscal impact statement on each measure reported out of a committee of the Legislative Assembly that would increase employer contributions under ORS chapter 238A. If the Legislative Fiscal Officer determines that a proposed measure would result in an increase in the total liability for benefits under ORS chapter 238A that is in excess of one-tenth of one percent, the Legislative Fiscal Officer shall promptly notify the Public Employees Retirement Board. The board shall thereafter promptly give notice of the proposed measure, and the fiscal impact of the proposed measure as determined by the Legislative Fiscal Officer, to all public employers providing benefits under ORS chapter 238A. [2003 c.733 §45b; 2007 c.828 §3]
173.055 Contracts to provide fiscal data. The Legislative Fiscal Officer and Legislative Revenue Officer are authorized to contract with other agencies or persons to provide fiscal data necessary to carry out the provisions of ORS 173.025 to 173.055. [1977 c.414 §4]
173.110 [1953 c.492 §1; repealed by 1969 c.256 §1 (173.111 enacted in lieu of 173.110)]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL COMMITTEE
173.111 Legislative Counsel Committee and office of Legislative Counsel established. The Legislative Counsel Committee is established as a joint committee of the Legislative Assembly. The Legislative Counsel Committee shall select a Legislative Counsel to serve as its executive officer. [1969 c.256 §2 (enacted in lieu of 173.110); 1971 c.638 §4; 1999 c.117 §1]
173.120 Legislative Counsel to be in attendance upon legislative sessions. The Legislative Counsel shall be in attendance upon all sessions of the Legislative Assembly. [1953 c.492 §2]
173.130 Performance of legislative services; charges. (1) The Legislative Counsel shall prepare or assist in the preparation of legislative measures when requested to do so by a member or committee of the Legislative Assembly.
(2) Upon the written request of a state agency, the Legislative Counsel may prepare or assist in the preparation of legislative measures that have been approved for preparation in writing by the Governor or the Governor’s designated representative. The Legislative Counsel may also prepare or assist in the preparation of legislative measures that are requested in writing by the Judicial Department, the Governor, the Secretary of State, the State Treasurer, the Attorney General or the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries. In accordance with ORS 283.110, the Legislative Counsel may charge the agency or officer for the services performed.
(3) The Legislative Counsel shall give such consideration to and service concerning any measure or other legislative matter before the Legislative Assembly as is requested by the House of Representatives, the Senate or any committee of the Legislative Assembly that has the measure or other matter under consideration.
(4) The Legislative Counsel, pursuant to the policies and directions of the Legislative Counsel Committee and in conformity with any applicable rules of the House of Representatives or Senate, shall perform or cause to be performed research service requested by any member or committee of the Legislative Assembly in connection with the performance of legislative functions. Research assignments made by joint or concurrent resolution of the Legislative Assembly shall be given priority over other research requests received by the Legislative Counsel. The research service to be performed includes the administrative services incident to the accomplishment of the research requests or assignments.
(5) The Legislative Counsel shall give an opinion in writing upon any question of law in which the Legislative Assembly or any member or committee of the Legislative Assembly may have an interest when the Legislative Assembly or any member or committee of the Legislative Assembly requests the opinion. Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section and ORS 173.135, the Legislative Counsel shall not give opinions or provide other legal services to persons or agencies other than the Legislative Assembly and members and committees of the Legislative Assembly.
(6) The Legislative Counsel may enter into contracts to carry out the functions of the Legislative Counsel. [1953 c.492 §3; 1959 c.295 §2; 1973 c.226 §1; 1979 c.237 §1; 1999 c.117 §2; 1999 c.207 §1; 2001 c.45 §2; 2001 c.104 §57; 2011 c.731 §7]
173.135 Participation in legal proceedings to protect legislative interests. When deemed necessary or advisable to protect the official interests of the Legislative Assembly, one or more legislative committees, or one or more members of the Legislative Assembly, the Legislative Counsel Committee may direct the Legislative Counsel and the staff of the Legislative Counsel, or may retain any member of the Oregon State Bar, to appear in, commence, prosecute or defend any action, suit, matter, cause or proceeding in any court or agency of this state or of the United States. Expenses and costs incurred pursuant to this section may be paid by the committee from any funds available to the committee. [1961 c.167 §32; 2005 c.22 §119]
173.140 Preparation of initiative measures. The Legislative Counsel shall cooperate with the proponents of an initiative measure in its preparation when:
(1) Requested in writing so to do by 50 or more electors proposing the measure; and
(2) In the judgment of the committee there is reasonable probability that the measure will be submitted to the electors of the state under the laws relating to the submission of initiative measures. [1953 c.492 §4]
173.150 [1953 c.492 §5; 1961 c.279 §1; repealed by 1981 c.517 §10 (171.275 enacted in lieu of 173.150)]
173.152 [Formerly 171.272; 1963 c.420 §1; 1965 c.372 §1; 1981 c.517 §21; renumbered 171.315]
173.155 [1959 c.295 §1; repealed by 1963 c.292 §1 (173.310 to 173.340 enacted in lieu of 173.155)]
173.160 Powers and duties of Legislative Counsel in preparing editions for publication. In preparing editions of the statutes for publication and distribution, the Legislative Counsel shall not alter the sense, meaning, effect or substance of any Act, but, within such limitations, may:
(1) Renumber sections and parts of sections of the Acts;
(2) Rearrange sections;
(3) Change reference numbers to agree with renumbered chapters, sections or other parts;
(4) Delete references to repealed sections;
(5) Substitute the proper subsection, section or chapter or other division numbers;
(6) Change capitalization and spelling for the purpose of uniformity; and
(7) Correct manifest clerical, grammatical or typographical errors. [1953 c.492 §6; 1999 c.117 §3; 2005 c.22 §120]
173.170 [1953 c.492 §7; 1961 c.167 §28; 1981 c.517 §22; renumbered 171.285]
173.180 [1953 c.492 §8; 1981 c.517 §23; renumbered 171.295]
173.190 [1953 c.492 §9; 1961 c.167 §29; repealed by 1969 c.256 §3 (173.191 enacted in lieu of 173.190)]
173.191 Membership; term; vacancies; advisory committees. (1)(a) The Legislative Counsel Committee shall consist of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, members of the House appointed by the Speaker and members of the Senate appointed by the President. The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate may each designate from among the members of the appropriate house an alternate to exercise powers as a member of the committee.
(b) The appointing authorities shall appoint members of a new committee within 30 days after the earlier of:
(A) The date of the convening of an odd-numbered year regular session of the Legislative Assembly; or
(B) The date of the convening of an organizational session of the odd-numbered year regular session of the Legislative Assembly.
(2)(a) The term of a member of the committee shall expire upon the earlier of:
(A) The date of the convening of the odd-numbered year regular session of the Legislative Assembly next following the member’s appointment; or
(B) The date of the convening of an organizational session of the odd-numbered year regular session of the Legislative Assembly next following the member’s appointment.
(b) Vacancies occurring in the membership of the committee shall be filled by the appointing authority.
(3) The committee has a continuing existence and may meet, act and conduct its business during the sessions of the Legislative Assembly or any recess thereof, and in the interim period between sessions but the committee has no authority to affect the rules of either house.
(4) The Legislative Counsel Committee may appoint advisory committees or subcommittees. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, individuals other than members of the Legislative Assembly may serve on such advisory committees or subcommittees. A member of such committee or subcommittee who is not a member of the Legislative Assembly shall be compensated and reimbursed in the manner provided in ORS 292.495. An advisory committee or subcommittee appointed to assist the Legislative Counsel Committee in review of state agency rules may consist only of two or more members of the Legislative Assembly.
(5) The Legislative Counsel Committee may not transact business unless a quorum is present. A quorum consists of a majority of committee members from the House of Representatives and a majority of committee members from the Senate.
(6) Action by the committee requires the affirmative vote of a majority of committee members from the House of Representatives and a majority of committee members from the Senate. [1969 c.256 §4 (enacted in lieu of 173.190); 1971 c.638 §5; 1975 c.136 §6; 1975 c.530 §4; 1977 c.344 §5; 1999 c.117 §4; 2001 c.45 §3; 2007 c.790 §4; 2011 c.545 §9; 2017 c.17 §10]
173.196 [1975 c.136 §8; repealed by 1977 c.344 §7]
173.200 Selection of Legislative Counsel. (1) The Legislative Counsel Committee shall select the Legislative Counsel, who shall serve at the pleasure of the committee. The Legislative Counsel shall be a person authorized to practice law in the highest court of one of the states of the United States.
(2) The Legislative Counsel Committee shall fix the annual salary of the Legislative Counsel. Subject to the limitations otherwise provided by law for expenses of state officers, the Legislative Counsel shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred or paid by the Legislative Counsel in the performance of duties of the Legislative Counsel. [1953 c.492 §10; 1999 c.117 §5]
173.210 Employment of staff. Subject to the approval of the committee, the Legislative Counsel may employ and fix the compensation of such professional assistants and clerical and other employees as the Legislative Counsel deems necessary for the effective conduct of the work under the charge of the Legislative Counsel. [1953 c.492 §11; 1973 c.735 §8]
173.215 Effect of expiration of terms of committee members; Legislative Counsel vacancy. (1) The expiration of the terms of members of the Legislative Counsel Committee, as provided by ORS 173.191, does not affect the employment of any individual filling a position previously approved by the committee.
(2) Upon the expiration of the terms of members and until the newly appointed Legislative Counsel Committee provides otherwise, the Legislative Counsel may employ and fix the compensation of individuals the Legislative Counsel considers necessary for the effective conduct of the work supervised or managed by the Legislative Counsel.
(3) Notwithstanding ORS 173.111 and 173.200, if a vacancy occurs in the position of Legislative Counsel after the expiration of the terms of members and before the appointment of members of a new Legislative Counsel Committee, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives may jointly select a Legislative Counsel who has the qualifications set forth in ORS 173.200. The Legislative Counsel selected by the President and the Speaker serves at their pleasure at a salary jointly fixed by the President and the Speaker that does not exceed the salary last fixed by the committee. The President and Speaker may act in lieu of the Legislative Counsel Committee under ORS 293.335 in designating the Legislative Counsel they select to approve disbursements and in filing the statement of designation. After appointment of a Legislative Counsel Committee, the Legislative Counsel selected under this subsection serves at the pleasure of the committee and the committee may exercise power and authority over the Legislative Counsel as if the Legislative Counsel had been selected by the committee. [1965 c.113 §1; 1967 c.5 §1; 1975 c.136 §10; 1999 c.117 §6; 2011 c.545 §10; 2017 c.17 §11]
173.220 Location of Legislative Counsel’s office. The permanent office of the Legislative Counsel shall be in the State Capitol, where the Legislative Counsel shall be provided with suitable and sufficient offices convenient to the chambers of the House and Senate. [1953 c.492 §12]
173.230 Confidential nature of matters handled by committee’s staff. (1) The Legislative Counsel or any employee of the Legislative Counsel Committee may not reveal to any person not an employee of the committee the contents or nature of any matter before the Legislative Counsel in the official capacity of the Legislative Counsel, if the person bringing the matter before the Legislative Counsel or employee designates the matter as confidential. Matters not designated as confidential may be revealed only as prescribed by the rules of the committee.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, the Legislative Counsel may provide a copy of a draft measure to the Legislative Fiscal Officer and the Legislative Revenue Officer.
(3) The provision by the Legislative Counsel of a copy of a draft measure under subsection (2) of this section is not a waiver of privilege under ORS 40.225. [1953 c.492 §14; 1961 c.167 §30; 1999 c.117 §7; 2001 c.45 §4]
173.240 Committee’s staff prohibited from influencing legislation. Neither the Legislative Counsel nor any employee of the committee shall oppose, urge or attempt to influence legislation. [1953 c.492 §14]
173.250 [1953 c.492 §15; 1957 c.60 §1; subsection (4) enacted as 1961 c.159 §2; 1969 c.256 §5; 1981 c.517 §24; renumbered 171.305]
173.310 [1963 c.292 §2 (173.310 to 173.340 enacted in lieu of 173.155); 1969 c.314 §10; 1971 c.638 §7; 1977 c.186 §1; repealed by 1979 c.472 §2]
OREGON LAW COMMISSION
173.315 Oregon Law Commission established; duties; membership; chairperson. (1) The Oregon Law Commission is established to conduct a continuous substantive law revision program as described in ORS 173.338.
(2) The Oregon Law Commission has 15 members, as follows:
(a) A person appointed by the President of the Senate who is a member of the Senate at the time of appointment;
(b) A person appointed by the President of the Senate who is a current or former member of the Senate at the time of appointment;
(c) A person appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives who is a member of the House of Representatives at the time of appointment;
(d) A person appointed by the Speaker of the House of the Representatives who is a current or former member of the House of Representatives at the time of appointment;
(e) The deans of Oregon’s accredited law schools, or their designees;
(f) Three persons appointed by the Board of Governors of the Oregon State Bar;
(g) The Attorney General, or the Attorney General’s designee;
(h) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, or the Chief Justice’s designee;
(i) The Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, or the Chief Judge’s designee;
(j) A person appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who is a circuit court judge, or a retired circuit court judge who has been designated as a senior judge under ORS 1.300, at the time of appointment; and
(k) One person appointed by the Governor.
(3) The Attorney General, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals and the deans of Oregon’s accredited law schools are ex officio members of the commission and have the same powers as appointed members.
(4)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, appointed members of the commission serve four-year terms. Terms commence on July 1 of even-numbered years. Before the expiration of the four-year term, the appointing authority shall appoint a successor. A person who has served as a member is eligible for reappointment.
(b) A person appointed under subsection (2)(a) of this section serves a term of four years, or until the person ceases to be a member of the Senate, whichever occurs first. A person appointed under subsection (2)(c) of this section serves a term of four years, or until the person ceases to be a member of the House of Representatives, whichever occurs first.
(5) If there is a vacancy in the position of an appointed member:
(a) The appointing authority shall appoint a person as soon as possible to serve during the remainder of the unexpired term; and
(b) The appointing authority may specify that the person appointed to serve the remainder of the unexpired term is also appointed to the next following full term.
(6) If a member of the commission is authorized under subsection (2) of this section to name a designee, a person named as a designee has all of the powers and duties of the member until the designation expires or is revoked. The following persons may be designated:
(a) A dean of one of Oregon’s accredited law schools may designate a member of the faculty of the law school.
(b) The Chief Justice may designate a Supreme Court judge.
(c) The Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals may designate another judge of the Court of Appeals.
(d) The Attorney General may designate an assistant attorney general or the Deputy Attorney General.
(7) The term of an appointed member of the commission shall cease if the member misses three consecutive meetings without prior approval of the chairperson, and the appointing authority for the position shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy in the manner provided by subsection (5) of this section.
(8) The Oregon Law Commission shall elect its chairperson and vice chairperson from among the members with such powers and duties as the commission shall determine.
(9) A majority of the members of the commission constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is present at a meeting, the commission may take action by an affirmative vote by a majority of the members of the commission who are present.
(10) Members of the commission who are members of the Legislative Assembly are entitled to compensation and expense reimbursement as provided in ORS 171.072. [1981 c.813 §1; 1997 c.661 §1; 2009 c.114 §1; 2011 c.272 §14]
173.320 [1963 c.292 §3 (173.310 to 173.340 enacted in lieu of 173.155); repealed by 1979 c.472 §2]
173.325 Compensation and expenses of members. (1) A member of the Legislative Assembly who serves as a member of the Oregon Law Commission, or on any work group established under ORS 173.352, may receive actual and necessary travel and other expenses under ORS 171.072 from funds appropriated to the Legislative Assembly.
(2) A member of the Oregon Law Commission who is not a member of the Legislative Assembly shall receive no compensation for services as a member but, subject to any other applicable law regulating travel and other expenses for state officers, may receive actual and necessary travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of official duties, providing funds are appropriated therefor in the budget of the Legislative Counsel Committee. [1981 c.813 §2; 1987 c.879 §3; 1997 c.661 §2; 2009 c.114 §3]
173.328 Commission meetings. The Oregon Law Commission shall meet regularly pursuant to a schedule established by the commission. The commission also shall meet at other times and places specified by the call of the chairperson or of a majority of the members of the commission. [1997 c.661 §5; 2009 c.114 §4]
173.330 [1963 c.292 §4 (173.310 to 173.340 enacted in lieu of 173.155); repealed by 1979 c.472 §2]
173.335 Legislative Counsel assistance. The Legislative Counsel shall assist the Oregon Law Commission to carry out its functions as provided by law and shall provide necessary drafting services to the commission as legislative priorities permit. [1981 c.813 §§3,4; 1997 c.661 §6; 2009 c.114 §5]
173.338 Law revision program. (1) The law revision program conducted by the Oregon Law Commission may include, but is not limited to:
(a) Review of the common law and statutes of the state, and current judicial decisions, for the purpose of discovering defects and anachronisms in the law.
(b) Consideration of changes in the law recommended by the American Law Institute, the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, any bar association or other learned bodies.
(c) Consideration of suggestions from judges, justices, public officials, lawyers and the public generally as to defects and anachronisms in the law.
(d) Recommendation for changes in the law that the commission considers necessary to modify or eliminate antiquated and inequitable rules of law and to bring the law of Oregon into harmony with modern conditions.
(e) Recommendation for the express repeal of statutes repealed by implication or held unconstitutional by state and federal courts.
(2) The commission shall study any topic that the Legislative Assembly, by law or concurrent resolution, refers to the commission. [1997 c.661 §3; 2009 c.114 §6]
173.340 [1963 c.292 §5 (173.310 to 173.340 enacted in lieu of 173.155); repealed by 1979 c.472 §2]
173.342 Commission biennial report to Legislative Assembly. The Oregon Law Commission shall file a report at each odd-numbered year regular session of the Legislative Assembly that contains recommendations for statutory and administrative changes and a calendar of topics selected by the commission for study, including a list of the studies in progress and a list of topics intended for future consideration. [1997 c.661 §4; 2009 c.114 §7; 2011 c.545 §29]
173.345 Cooperation with bar associations or other associations. The Oregon Law Commission may cooperate with any bar association or other learned, professional or scientific association, institution or foundation in a manner suitable to fulfill the functions of the commission. [1997 c.661 §7]
173.347 Appearance of commission members or staff before Legislative Assembly. The Oregon Law Commission by its members or its staff may appear before committees of the Legislative Assembly in an advisory capacity, pursuant to the rules thereof, to present testimony and evidence in support of the commission’s recommendations. [1997 c.661 §8]
173.350 [1965 c.397 §1; repealed by 1979 c.472 §2]
173.352 Work groups. (1) To aid and advise the Oregon Law Commission in the performance of its functions, the commission may establish work groups. Work groups established by the commission may be continuing or temporary. The commission shall determine the representation, membership, terms and organization of work groups and shall appoint work group members.
(2) Members of work groups established by the commission are not entitled to compensation, but in the discretion of the commission may be reimbursed from funds available to the commission for actual and necessary travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties. [1997 c.661 §10; 2009 c.114 §8]
173.355 Solicitation and receipt of gifts and grants. The Oregon Law Commission may solicit and receive funds from grants and gifts to assist and support its functions. [1997 c.661 §9]
173.357 Disposition of moneys collected or received by commission. All moneys collected or received by the Oregon Law Commission shall be paid into the General Fund of the State Treasury. Such moneys are continuously appropriated for and shall be used by the commission in carrying out the purposes for which the funds are received. [1997 c.661 §11]
LEGISLATIVE FISCAL OFFICER
173.410 Appointing authority for Legislative Fiscal Officer; selection of officer. (1) As used in this section, ORS 173.420 and 173.450, “appointing authority” means the Joint Committee on Ways and Means during a session of the Legislative Assembly and the Emergency Board during the interim between sessions of the Legislative Assembly.
(2) The appointing authority shall select the Legislative Fiscal Officer who shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and under its direction. [1959 c.70 §1; 1971 c.679 §1]
173.420 Duties of Legislative Fiscal Officer. (1) Pursuant to the policies and directions of the appointing authority, the Legislative Fiscal Officer shall:
(a) Ascertain facts and make recommendations to the Legislative Assembly concerning the Governor’s budget.
(b) Ascertain facts concerning state expenditures and make estimates concerning state expenditures.
(c) Ascertain facts and make recommendations concerning the fiscal implications of the organization and functions of the state and its agencies.
(d) Ascertain facts and make recommendations on such other matters as may be provided for by joint or concurrent resolution.
(e) Furnish such assistance in the performance of their duties as is requested by the House Revenue Committee, the Senate Revenue Committee, the Legislative Revenue Officer and other legislative standing and interim committees and members of the Legislative Assembly.
(2) Pursuant to the policies and directions of the appointing authority, the Legislative Fiscal Officer may enter into contracts to carry out the functions of the Legislative Fiscal Officer.
(3) The Legislative Fiscal Officer shall cause a study to be conducted prior to the beginning of each odd-numbered year regular session of the Legislative Assembly that reports the preceding two years’ administrative costs and the transfer rate of the Oregon State Lottery Commission, in order to determine if additional funds may be made available for public purposes. [1959 c.70 §2; 1971 c.679 §2; 1975 c.789 §7; 1999 c.207 §2; 2001 c.158 §1; 2016 c.117 §39; 2017 c.746 §6; 2021 c.678 §3]
173.430 [1959 c.70 §11; 1961 c.167 §14; repealed by 1971 c.679 §7]
173.440 [1959 c.70 §§3,4,5; 1961 c.41 §1; 1961 c.167 §33a; repealed by 1971 c.679 §7]
173.450 Employment of staff; compensation and expenses of staff members. (1) Subject to the approval of the appointing authority, the Legislative Fiscal Officer may employ and fix the compensation of such professional assistants and clerical and other employees as the Legislative Fiscal Officer finds necessary for the effective conduct of the work under the charge of the Legislative Fiscal Officer.
(2) The appointing authority shall fix the salary of the Legislative Fiscal Officer.
(3) Subject to the limitations otherwise provided by law for expenses of state officers, the Legislative Fiscal Officer and members of the staff of the Legislative Fiscal Officer shall be reimbursed for all actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties. [1959 c.70 §§6,7,8; 1971 c.679 §3]
173.455 Maintaining confidentiality of draft measures. The Legislative Fiscal Officer or any employee of the Legislative Fiscal Officer may not reveal to any person not an employee of the Legislative Fiscal Officer the contents or nature of any confidential draft measure provided to the Legislative Fiscal Officer by the Legislative Counsel. [2001 c.45 §5]
173.460 [1965 c.113 §2; repealed by 1971 c.679 §7]
173.465 Legislative Fiscal Office Operating Fund. The Legislative Fiscal Office Operating Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Legislative Fiscal Office Operating Fund shall be credited to the fund. All moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Legislative Fiscal Officer for the purpose of paying the expenses incurred in the administration of the duties of the Legislative Fiscal Office. [2013 c.723 §61]
OREGON STATE CAPITOL FOUNDATION
173.500 Establishment; directors; powers and duties. (1)(a) There is established the Oregon State Capitol Foundation. The foundation shall be composed of not fewer than nine and not more than 25 voting directors, who shall each serve a term of four years. The President of the Senate shall appoint three voting directors from members of the Senate. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint three voting directors from members of the House of Representatives. The Legislative Administration Committee shall appoint the remaining voting directors. A director is eligible for reappointment. The foundation may appoint honorary, nonvoting members to the foundation.
(b) The foundation shall elect a chair from among the voting directors of the foundation. A director shall serve as chair for a two-year term and may thereafter be reelected as chair, except that:
(A) The foundation may replace a chair by majority vote of the foundation; and
(B) A chair must at all times be a voting director of the foundation.
(2) The Oregon State Capitol Foundation shall:
(a) Advise the Legislative Administration Committee on the terms and conditions of contracts or agreements entered into under ORS 276.002.
(b) Recommend to the committee renovations, repairs and additions to the State Capitol.
(c) Recommend to the committee exhibits and events for the State Capitol.
(d) Deposit gifts, grants, donations and moneys converted from gifts or donations of other than money into separate trust accounts reserved for the purposes of the gifts, grants and donations.
(e) Develop, maintain and implement plans to:
(A) Enhance and embellish the State Capitol in keeping with the design and purpose of the building and adjacent areas; and
(B) Preserve the history of activities of state government that have occurred in the State Capitol and of persons who have participated in state government in the State Capitol.
(f) Establish such funds and accounts as are reasonably prudent for a nonprofit corporation of the scope and mission of the foundation.
(g) Consult with any advisory committees the Legislative Administration Committee may designate before the foundation makes a recommendation required by this subsection.
(3) The Oregon State Capitol Foundation may:
(a) Solicit and accept gifts, grants and donations from public and private sources in the name of the foundation.
(b) Convert gifts or donations other than money into moneys.
(c) Advise and educate in relation to changes in statutory law or adopted policy of the Legislative Administration Committee in order to implement or promote the policies and objectives of the foundation, except that such advice and education is limited to:
(A) Activities permitted within the limits afforded to organizations established under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
(B) Advice or education undertaken by the foundation that furthers the purposes of the foundation under subsection (2) of this section.
(4) The Oregon State Capitol Foundation shall cause an independent audit to be performed annually of all foundation finances. The auditor shall prepare an annual financial report according to generally accepted accounting principles and shall submit the report to the foundation and the Legislative Administration Committee.
(5) The chair of the Oregon State Capitol Foundation may enter into contracts to carry out those functions and policies of the foundation for which the foundation has granted the chair contract authority. ORS 279.835 to 279.855 and ORS chapters 279A, 279B and 279C do not apply to a contract or agreement entered into by the foundation. The chair may delegate the contracting authority granted under this subsection to the Legislative Administrator.
(6) The Oregon State Capitol Foundation may take action under this section upon a majority vote of a quorum of directors. A majority of the voting directors of the foundation constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.
(7) Notwithstanding ORS 171.072, directors or nonvoting members of the foundation who are members of the Legislative Assembly are not entitled to mileage expenses or a per diem and serve as volunteers on the foundation.
(8) The Oregon State Capitol Foundation may adopt its own rules and bylaws and is not subject to the rules of either house of the Legislative Assembly or Mason’s Manual of Legislative Procedure. The foundation shall adopt rules and bylaws to guide the foundation and implement the foundation’s responsibilities under this section.
(9) The Oregon State Capitol Foundation is not a part of the legislative department as defined in ORS 174.114 or a public body as defined in ORS 174.109. For purposes of ORS chapter 244, neither the Oregon State Capitol Foundation nor any director or nonvoting member of the foundation may be considered to have a legislative or administrative interest.
(10) The Legislative Administrator shall provide meeting space and administrative support for the Oregon State Capitol Foundation. [2001 c.118 §1; 2003 c.794 §197; 2011 c.272 §10; 2015 c.35 §1]
173.505 Oregon State Capitol Foundation Operating Fund. (1) The Oregon State Capitol Foundation Operating Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Oregon State Capitol Foundation Operating Fund shall be credited to the fund. Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Legislative Administration Committee for payment of operating expenses of the Oregon State Capitol Foundation.
(2) The Legislative Administration Committee may solicit and accept gifts, grants and donations from the Oregon State Capitol Foundation and other public and private sources for the purposes of payment of operating expenses of the Oregon State Capitol Foundation. Moneys received by the committee under this subsection must be deposited into the Oregon State Capitol Foundation Operating Fund. [2016 c.118 §16]
173.510 [1965 c.581 §1; repealed by 1971 c.679 §7]
173.515 Oregon Capitol History Gateway Fund. (1) The Oregon Capitol History Gateway Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Oregon Capitol History Gateway Fund shall be credited to the fund. Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Legislative Administration Committee for payment of expenses of establishing or operating the Oregon Capitol History Gateway.
(2) The Legislative Administration Committee may solicit and accept gifts, grants and donations from the Oregon State Capitol Foundation and other public and private sources for the purposes of establishing or operating the Oregon Capitol History Gateway. Moneys received by the committee under this subsection must be deposited into the Oregon Capitol History Gateway Fund. [2016 c.118 §15]
173.520 [1965 c.581 §2; repealed by 1971 c.679 §7]
173.530 [1965 c.581 §4; repealed by 1971 c.679 §7]
173.540 [1965 c.581 §§6, 10; 1969 c.314 §11; repealed by 1971 c.679 §7]
173.550 [1965 c.581 §11; repealed by 1971 c.679 §7]
173.560 [1965 c.581 §12; repealed by 1971 c.679 §7]
173.570 [1965 c.581 §9; repealed by 1971 c.679 §7]
173.580 [1965 c.581 §7; repealed by 1971 c.679 §7]
173.590 [1965 c.581 §8; repealed by 1971 c.679 §7]
173.600 [1965 c.581 §5; repealed by 1971 c.679 §7]
LEGISLATIVE POLICY AND RESEARCH COMMITTEE
173.605 Legislative Policy and Research Committee established; director. (1) The Legislative Policy and Research Committee is established as a joint committee of the Legislative Assembly.
(2) The committee shall select a Legislative Policy and Research Director to serve as its executive officer. The director shall serve at the pleasure of the committee.
(3) The committee shall fix the annual salary of the director. Subject to the limitations otherwise provided by law for expenses of state officers, the director shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred or paid by the director in the performance of duties of the director. [2016 c.88 §1]
173.610 [1999 c.1048 §1; repealed by 2017 c.532 §12]
173.615 Membership; term; continuing existence; advisory committees; quorum. (1)(a) The Legislative Policy and Research Committee shall consist of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, members of the House appointed by the Speaker so that there is an equal number of majority party and minority party members of the House including the Speaker, and members of the Senate appointed by the President so that there is an equal number of majority party and minority party members of the Senate including the President. The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate may each designate, from among the members of the appropriate house, majority party and minority party alternates to exercise powers as members of the committee.
(b) The appointing authorities shall appoint members of a new committee within 30 days after the earlier of:
(A) The date of the convening of an odd-numbered year regular session of the Legislative Assembly; or
(B) The date of the convening of an organizational session of the odd-numbered year regular session of the Legislative Assembly.
(2)(a) The term of a member of the committee shall expire upon the earlier of:
(A) The date of the convening of the odd-numbered year regular session of the Legislative Assembly next following the member’s appointment; or
(B) The date of the convening of an organizational session of the odd-numbered year regular session of the Legislative Assembly next following the member’s appointment.
(b) Vacancies occurring in the membership of the committee shall be filled by the appointing authority so as to ensure an equal number of majority party and minority party members from the appropriate house.
(3) The committee has a continuing existence and may meet, act and conduct its business during the sessions of the Legislative Assembly or any recess thereof, and in the interim period between sessions, but the committee has no authority to affect the rules of either house.
(4) The committee may appoint advisory committees or subcommittees. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, individuals other than members of the Legislative Assembly may serve on such advisory committees or subcommittees. A member of an advisory committee or subcommittee who is not a member of the Legislative Assembly shall be compensated and reimbursed in the manner provided in ORS 292.495.
(5) The committee may not transact business unless a quorum is present. A quorum consists of a majority of committee members from the House of Representatives and a majority of committee members from the Senate.
(6) Action by the committee requires the affirmative vote of a majority of committee members from the House of Representatives and a majority of committee members from the Senate. [2016 c.88 §3; 2017 c.17 §14]
173.620 [1999 c.1048 §2; 2001 c.158 §2; repealed by 2017 c.532 §12]
173.625 Effect of expiration of terms of committee members; director vacancy. (1) The expiration of the terms of members of the Legislative Policy and Research Committee, as provided in ORS 173.615, does not affect the employment of any individual filling a position previously approved by the committee.
(2) Upon the expiration of the terms of members and until the newly appointed Legislative Policy and Research Committee provides otherwise, the Legislative Policy and Research Director may employ and fix the compensation of individuals the director considers necessary for the effective conduct of the work supervised or managed by the director.
(3) Notwithstanding ORS 173.605 and 173.615, if a vacancy occurs in the position of director after the expiration of the terms of members and before the appointment of members of a new Legislative Policy and Research Committee, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives may jointly select a director. The director selected by the President and the Speaker serves at their pleasure at a salary jointly fixed by the President and the Speaker that does not exceed the salary last fixed by the committee. The President and Speaker may act in lieu of the committee under ORS 293.335 in designating the director they select to approve disbursements and in filing the statement of designation. After appointment of a Legislative Policy and Research Committee, the director selected under this subsection serves at the pleasure of the committee and the committee may exercise power and authority over the director as if the director had been selected by the committee. [2016 c.88 §4; 2017 c.17 §15]
173.630 [1999 c.1048 §3; repealed by 2017 c.532 §12]
173.635 Director duties and powers. (1) The Legislative Policy and Research Director shall, subject to available resources:
(a) Prepare or assist in the preparation of legislative research and otherwise facilitate the development of legislative policy, when requested to do so by a member or committee of the Legislative Assembly;
(b) Provide advice and assistance to legislative committees;
(c) Exercise continuing supervision, coordination and support of clerical and administrative services to legislative standing and interim committees, including consideration of adequacy of staff and administrative services for these committees; and
(d) Provide research facilities and services to members and committees of the Legislative Assembly.
(2) The director may employ and fix the compensation of such professional assistants and other employees as the director deems necessary for the work under the charge of the director.
(3) The director may enter into contracts to carry out the functions of the director. [2016 c.88 §2]
173.640 [1999 c.1048 §4; repealed by 2017 c.532 §12]
LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
173.710 Legislative Administration Committee and office of Legislative Administrator established. The Legislative Administration Committee hereby is established as a joint committee of the Legislative Assembly. The committee shall select a Legislative Administrator who shall serve at the pleasure of the committee and under its direction. [1969 c.620 §1; 1971 c.638 §8]
173.720 Duties of Legislative Administrator. (1) Pursuant to the policies and directions of the Legislative Administration Committee, the Legislative Administrator shall:
(a) Coordinate administrative operations of the Legislative Assembly in order to ensure efficient work flow.
(b) Develop standard formats for legislative manuals and interim committee reports.
(c) Review legislative organization, rules and procedure in cooperation with the Legislative Counsel with the intent of modernizing legislative operations.
(d) Conduct a continuing study of possible applications of technological changes and improvements, such as data processing and electronic equipment, to improve legislative procedures, and when considered advisable, make recommendations to adopt such applications.
(e) Arrange for and coordinate orientation conferences for members of the Legislative Assembly that shall include, but need not be limited to, education about recycling programs available in the State Capitol.
(f) Study and make recommendations on legislative compensation and working conditions.
(g) Control all space and facilities within the State Capitol and such other space as is assigned to the Legislative Assembly.
(h) Direct renovation and repair of the State Capitol, renovation, repair and replacement of State Capitol fixtures and facilities, and artistic and other aesthetic improvements to the State Capitol and adjacent areas.
(i) Perform administrative service functions for the Legislative Assembly, including but not limited to accounting, data processing, personnel administration, printing, supply, space allocation and property management.
(j) Arrange for the printing and distribution of legislative manuals and interim committee reports.
(k) Establish fee schedules for legislative measures, calendars, indexes and digests.
(L) Coordinate the use of legislative supplies, materials, equipment and other property by legislative interim committees and by standing committees and offices of the Legislative Assembly.
(2) Pursuant to the policies and directions of the Legislative Administration Committee, the Legislative Administrator may enter into contracts to carry out the functions of the Legislative Administrator. [1969 c.620 §3; 1971 c.638 §9; 1977 c.121 §2; 1997 c.552 §28; 1997 c.817 §1; 1999 c.207 §3; 2001 c.158 §3; 2016 c.88 §5]
173.730 Committee membership; status; term; chairperson. (1) The Legislative Administration Committee shall consist of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, members of the House appointed by the Speaker and members of the Senate appointed by the President. The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate may each designate an alternate from time to time from among the members of their respective chambers to exercise the powers, except as cochairperson, as a member of the committee. No more than three House members of the committee shall be of the same political party. No more than three Senate members of the committee shall be of the same political party.
(2) The committee has a continuing existence and may meet, act and conduct its business during sessions of the Legislative Assembly or any recess thereof, and in the interim period between sessions.
(3)(a) The term of a member shall expire upon the earlier of:
(A) The date of the convening of the odd-numbered year regular session of the Legislative Assembly next following the commencement of the member’s term; or
(B) The date of the convening of an organizational session of the odd-numbered year regular session of the Legislative Assembly next following the commencement of the member’s term.
(b) When a vacancy occurs in the membership of the committee in the interim between an odd-numbered year regular session and the earlier of the date of the convening of the next following odd-numbered year regular session or the date of the convening of an organizational session of the next following odd-numbered year regular session, until such vacancy is filled, the membership of the committee shall be deemed not to include the vacant position for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present and a quorum is a majority of the remaining members.
(4) The presiding officers shall act as cochairpersons and may alternate at succeeding meetings as presiding chairperson of the committee and vice chairperson thereof. The cochairpersons, jointly or singly, may, in addition to other acts authorized, approve voucher claims.
(5) The committee may not transact business unless a quorum is present. A quorum consists of a majority of committee members from the House of Representatives and a majority of committee members from the Senate.
(6) Action by the committee requires the affirmative vote of a majority of committee members from the House of Representatives and a majority of committee members from the Senate. [1969 c.620 §2; 1971 c.638 §10; 1975 c.530 §5; 1977 c.121 §3; 2007 c.790 §5; 2011 c.545 §11; 2017 c.17 §12]
173.740 Employment of staff; compensation and expenses of staff; staff prohibited from influencing legislation. (1) Subject to the approval of the Legislative Administration Committee, the Legislative Administrator may employ and fix the compensation of such assistants and clerks as the Legislative Administrator finds necessary for the effective conduct of the work under the charge of the Legislative Administrator.
(2) The Legislative Administration Committee shall fix the annual salary of the Legislative Administrator.
(3) Neither the Legislative Administrator nor any employee of the committee shall oppose, urge or attempt to influence any measure pending before the Legislative Assembly.
(4) Subject to the limitations otherwise provided by law for the expenses of state officers, the Legislative Administrator and members of the staff of the Legislative Administrator shall be reimbursed for all actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties. [1969 c.620 §4]
173.750 Effect of expiration of terms of committee members. The expiration of the terms of members of the Legislative Administration Committee, as provided in ORS 173.730, does not affect the employment of any individual filling a position previously approved by the committee. Upon the expiration of the terms of members and until the newly appointed committee provides otherwise, the Legislative Administrator may employ and fix the compensation of individuals the Legislative Administrator deems necessary for the effective conduct of the work under the charge of the Legislative Administrator. [1969 c.620 §5; 2011 c.545 §12; 2017 c.17 §13]
173.760 Advisory committees; compensation and expenses. (1) The Legislative Administration Committee from time to time may appoint such advisory committees consisting of members of the Legislative Assembly and others as are necessary to assist the committee in carrying out its functions as provided by law.
(2) A member of an advisory committee who is a member of the Legislative Assembly shall be entitled to receive the per diem specified in ORS 171.072 from funds appropriated to the Legislative Assembly for each day of performance of duties as an advisory committee member. Other members are entitled to compensation and expenses as provided in ORS 292.495. Expenses incurred under this section are payable from funds appropriated or otherwise available to the Legislative Administration Committee. [1977 c.121 §4; 1987 c.879 §4]
173.763 Legislative information available on Internet. (1)(a) The Legislative Administration Committee in conjunction with the Legislative Counsel Committee shall, with the advice of the President of the Senate, through the Secretary of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, through the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, make all of the following information available to the public and members of the Legislative Assembly in electronic form:
(A) The legislative calendar, the schedule of legislative committee hearings, a list of matters pending on the floors of both houses of the Legislative Assembly and a list of the committees of the Legislative Assembly and their members.
(B) The text of each bill introduced in each current legislative session, including each amended and enrolled form of the bill.
(C) The bill history of each bill introduced in each current legislative session.
(D) The bill status of each bill introduced in each current legislative session.
(E) All vote information concerning each bill in each current legislative session.
(F) Any veto message concerning a bill in each current legislative session.
(G) The Oregon Constitution.
(H) All Oregon Laws enacted on and after September 9, 1995.
(I) The Constitution of the United States.
(b) The Legislative Administration Committee, in its discretion, may make available in electronic form to the public and members of the Legislative Assembly staff measure summaries for each bill in a current legislative session.
(2)(a) The information identified in subsection (1) of this section shall be made available to the public on the Internet. The information shall be made available in one or more formats and by one or more means in order to provide the general public in this state with the greatest feasible access. Any person who accesses the information may access all or any part of the information. The information may also be made available by any other means that would facilitate public access to the information.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this subsection, the Legislative Administration Committee shall determine the most cost-effective formats and procedures for the timely release of the information in electronic form.
(c) Pursuant to ORS 171.275, the Legislative Counsel Committee, in its discretion, may authorize the release of the text of Oregon Revised Statutes in electronic form.
(3) Any documentation that describes the electronic digital formats of the information identified in subsection (1) of this section and is available to the public shall be made available on the Internet.
(4) Personal information concerning a person who accesses the information identified in subsection (1) of this section may be maintained only for the purpose of providing service to the person.
(5) A fee or other charge may not be imposed by the Legislative Administration Committee as a condition of accessing the information identified in subsection (1) of this section on the Internet.
(6) Action taken pursuant to this section may not be deemed to alter or relinquish any copyright or other proprietary interest or entitlement of the State of Oregon relative to any of the information made available pursuant to subsection (1) or (2)(c) of this section. [1995 c.614 §3; 2001 c.45 §7; 2013 c.1 §12]
173.766 Electronic mail address; website. (1) The Legislative Administration Committee shall make available to each member of the Legislative Assembly an electronic mail address accessible by Oregonians on the Internet.
(2) All state agencies shall cooperate with the Legislative Administration Committee in the implementation of subsection (1) of this section and ORS 171.795, 173.763 and 183.365.
(3) If the Legislative Administration Committee makes available to each member of the Legislative Assembly a webpage on the website of the Legislative Assembly, employees of the committee shall post material on a member’s webpage or install or maintain links from the member’s webpage to other websites in the manner directed by the member. If the posting of material or installation or maintenance of a link results in a violation of law:
(a) The member who directed the posting of material or installation or maintenance of the link is liable for the violation; and
(b) An employee of the committee who posts the material or installs or maintains the link at the direction of a member is not liable for the violation.
(4) Subsection (3) of this section does not authorize the posting of material or the installation or maintenance of any link that is prohibited by any other law. [1995 c.614 §4; 2007 c.775 §1; 2013 c.1 §13]
173.770 Rules regarding fees for services and obtaining copyrights and patents. (1) The Legislative Administration Committee may adopt rules to carry out its duties under statute or legislative rules or directives, including setting and collecting fees for facilities and services and obtaining copyrights and patents on copyrightable or patentable materials developed, published or produced by committee staff.
(2) Rules adopted under authority of this section are not rules within the meaning of ORS chapter 183 and are not subject to review under ORS 183.710 to 183.730. However, the Legislative Administration Committee shall give reasonable notice of its intent to adopt rules and conduct a hearing open to the public before adopting any rule.
(3) As used in this section, “rule” means any directive, standard or statement of general application that implements or interprets the duties of the Legislative Administration Committee and includes amendment or repeal of a prior rule but does not include internal management directives or statements relating to committee business between committee members or between committee members and committee staff or between committee staff. [1979 c.740 §2]
173.780 Sale or lease of data processing programs, materials and information. Subject to the approval of the Legislative Administration Committee, the Legislative Administrator may cause to be sold, leased or otherwise made available data processing programs, information or materials developed by committee staff to any agency or legislative body of any state or the federal government under such terms and conditions as may be agreed to by the committee and the agencies. Moneys collected under this section shall be credited to the General Fund and are available for general governmental purposes. [1979 c.740 §1; 2005 c.22 §121]
173.785 Capitol gift shop; bidding; use of profits. (1) The Legislative Administration Committee directly or by contract may establish a gift shop in the Capitol to provide for the retail sale of Oregon products approved for sale by the committee. Wholesale purchase of such products is not subject to competitive bidding.
(2) All net profits from sales described in subsection (1) of this section shall be applied to exceptional and otherwise unbudgeted maintenance expenses and other expenses incurred for enhancement and restoration of the Capitol and are continuously appropriated therefor. [1983 c.444 §5]
173.790 Stores Revolving Account; Property and Supplies Stores Account. (1) There is established for the Legislative Administration Committee a Stores Revolving Account. The committee may pay for rent, staff, stocks of supplies, materials, equipment and fixtures used under ORS 173.785 from the Stores Revolving Account for the purpose of supplying current requirements, the cost of which shall be reimbursed to the revolving account through receipts on the basis of sales. The moneys in the Stores Revolving Account are appropriated continuously to the committee for the purposes of this subsection.
(2) Quarterly any amount in the Stores Revolving Account in excess of $30,000 shall be transferred and credited to the State Capitol Operating Account established under ORS 276.003, to be accounted for separately and to be used as provided in ORS 173.785 (2). The use shall be considered to be an operating and maintenance expense of the State Capitol.
(3) There is established for the Legislative Administration Committee a Property and Supplies Stores Account. The committee may pay for rent, staff, stocks of supplies, materials, equipment and fixtures used to provide supplies for resale to tenants of the State Capitol from the Property and Supplies Stores Account for the purpose of supplying current requirements, the cost of which shall be reimbursed to the account through receipts on the basis of sales. The moneys in the Property and Supplies Stores Account are appropriated continuously to the committee for the purposes of this subsection. [1983 c.444 §6; 1987 c.704 §1; 2003 c.734 §22]
173.795 [1993 c.433 §3a; repealed by 2003 c.734 §25]
LEGISLATIVE REVENUE OFFICER
173.800 Appointing authority for Legislative Revenue Officer; selection of officer. (1) As used in ORS 173.800 to 173.850, during the interim between sessions of the Legislative Assembly, “appointing authority” means the Interim Committee on Revenue if created, or, if no Interim Committee on Revenue is created, means the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate. During a session of the Legislative Assembly, “appointing authority” means the House Revenue Committee and the Senate Revenue Committee.
(2) The appointing authority, with the approval of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate, shall select a Legislative Revenue Officer who shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and under its direction. [1975 c.789 §1]
173.810 Employment of staff; compensation and expenses. (1) Subject to the approval of the appointing authority, the Legislative Revenue Officer may employ and fix the compensation of such professional assistants and clerical and other employees as the Legislative Revenue Officer finds necessary for the effective conduct of the work under the charge of the Legislative Revenue Officer.
(2) The appointing authority shall fix the salary of the Legislative Revenue Officer.
(3) Subject to the limitations otherwise provided by law for expenses of state officers, the Legislative Revenue Officer and members of the staff of the Legislative Revenue Officer shall be reimbursed for all actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties. [1975 c.789 §2]
173.820 Duties and powers. (1) Pursuant to the policies and directions of the appointing authority, the Legislative Revenue Officer shall:
(a) Upon written request of a member of the Legislative Assembly or any committee thereof, prepare or assist in the preparation of studies and reports and provide information and research assistance on matters relating to taxation and to the revenue of this state and to any other relevant matters.
(b) Ascertain facts concerning revenues and make estimates concerning state revenues.
(c) Ascertain facts and make recommendations to the Legislative Assembly concerning the Governor’s tax expenditure report.
(d) Prepare analyses of and recommendations on the fiscal impact of all revenue measures reported out of committees of the Legislative Assembly and of all other measures reported out of committees of the Legislative Assembly that affect the revenue of this state.
(e) Perform such duties as may be directed by joint or concurrent resolution of the Legislative Assembly.
(f) Adopt rules relating to the submission, processing and priorities of requests. Rules adopted under this paragraph shall be in conformance with any applicable rule of the House of Representatives or the Senate. Requests made by joint or concurrent resolution of the Legislative Assembly shall be given priority over other requests received or initiated by the Legislative Revenue Officer. Rules adopted under this paragraph shall be reviewed and approved by the appointing authority prior to their adoption.
(g) Seek the advice and assistance of political subdivisions of this state, governmental agencies and any interested persons, associations or organizations in the performance of the duties of the Legislative Revenue Officer.
(h) Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law.
(2) Pursuant to the policies and directions of the appointing authority, the Legislative Revenue Officer may enter into contracts to carry out the functions of the Legislative Revenue Officer. [1975 c.789 §3; 1995 c.746 §72; 1999 c.207 §4; 2001 c.158 §4; 2007 c.828 §4]
173.830 Authority to accept and expend funds; disposition of moneys received. (1) The Legislative Revenue Officer may accept, receive, receipt for, disburse and expend federal moneys and other moneys, public or private, for the accomplishment of the purposes of ORS 173.800 to 173.850.
(2) All federal moneys accepted under this section shall be accepted and transferred or expended by the Legislative Revenue Officer upon such terms and conditions as are prescribed by the United States.
(3) All other moneys accepted under this section shall be accepted and transferred or expended by the Legislative Revenue Officer upon such terms and conditions as are prescribed by law.
(4) All moneys received by the Legislative Revenue Officer pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the State Treasury and, unless otherwise prescribed by the authority from which such moneys were received, shall be kept in separate funds designated according to the purposes for which the moneys were made available, and held by the state in trust for such purposes. All such moneys are continuously appropriated to the Legislative Revenue Officer for the purposes for which they were made available, to be disbursed or expended in accordance with the terms and conditions upon which they were made available. [1975 c.789 §4]
173.840 Designation as applicant for certain federal programs. The Legislative Revenue Officer is designated as the eligible applicant for the State of Oregon for the purposes of section 842 of the Education Amendments of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-380). [1975 c.789 §4a]
173.850 Department of Revenue to provide assistance; status of reports and information. (1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, when requested to do so, the Department of Revenue shall:
(a) Advise and assist the Legislative Revenue Officer, staff and employees with respect to the duties imposed upon the Legislative Revenue Officer by ORS 173.800 to 173.850 or any resolution of the Legislative Assembly;
(b) Disclose and give access to the Legislative Revenue Officer, staff and employees of the Legislative Revenue Officer, to tax and revenue information, including the information described in ORS 308.290 and 314.835, and other information the Legislative Revenue Officer considers necessary and appropriate to the efficient performance of duties under ORS 173.800 to 173.850 or any resolution of the Legislative Assembly; and
(c) Assist in the compilation, assimilation and integration of such information.
(2)(a) The department shall disclose and give access to the Legislative Revenue Officer or any authorized representatives to the information described in ORS 314.835 only if the request for the information is made in writing, specifies the purposes for which the request is made or information required and is signed by the Legislative Revenue Officer or an authorized representative. The form for request for information made under this paragraph shall be prescribed by the Legislative Revenue Officer and approved by the Director of the Department of Revenue.
(b) The department shall keep on file the request for information made pursuant to this subsection. The requests constitute a public record within the meaning of ORS 192.311 to 192.478. ORS 314.835 and 314.840 (3) relating to the confidentiality of tax information apply to the Legislative Revenue Officer, authorized representatives, staff and employees of the Legislative Revenue Officer.
(c) As used in this subsection, “authorized representative” means a person who, after consultation with the Director of the Department of Revenue, the Legislative Revenue Officer has certified as an authorized representative. A copy of the certificate shall be filed with the department.
(3) Reports, estimates and analyses of the Legislative Revenue Officer based upon the information described in ORS 308.290 and 314.835 obtained under this section shall be classified in such a manner as to prevent the identification of particular reports and returns and the items thereof. [1975 c.789 §5; 1985 c.565 §18]
173.855 Maintaining confidentiality of draft measures. The Legislative Revenue Officer or any employee of the Legislative Revenue Officer may not reveal to any person not an employee of the Legislative Revenue Officer the contents or nature of any confidential draft measure provided to the Legislative Revenue Officer by the Legislative Counsel. [2001 c.45 §6]
173.860 [1979 c.783 §4; repealed by 1981 c.704 §1]
LEGISLATIVE EQUITY OFFICE
173.900 Joint Committee on Conduct established; Legislative Equity Office established; Legislative Equity Officer. (1) The Joint Committee on Conduct is established as a joint committee of the Legislative Assembly.
(2) The Legislative Equity Office is established as a nonpartisan office of the Legislative Assembly that is independent of any other nonpartisan office.
(3) By concurrent resolution, the Legislative Assembly shall select a Legislative Equity Officer, to serve as the executive officer of the Legislative Equity Office.
(4) The committee may recruit, conduct interviews and make recommendations for the appointment of the Legislative Equity Officer by the Legislative Assembly. The committee shall consult with the Capitol Leadership Team established under ORS 173.927 in the performance of the committee’s duties under this section.
(5) Subject to the limitations otherwise provided by law for expenses of state officers, the Legislative Equity Officer shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred or paid by the officer in the performance of duties of the officer.
(6) The Legislative Equity Officer serves for a four-year term and is eligible for reappointment to succeeding terms. An officer may be removed for cause by the committee upon a finding by the committee that supports a for-cause removal of the officer.
(7) The committee shall:
(a) Receive from the Legislative Equity Officer annual reports described in ORS 173.909 and any other reports the committee or officer determines are warranted;
(b) Provide office facilities for the officer that are sufficiently independent to ensure that the officer operates independently of any other legislative branch organization, including but not limited to authorizing the officer to maintain facilities that are located near but outside of the State Capitol;
(c) Ensure that the officer possesses all possible indicia of independence from the other parts of the legislative branch;
(d) Provide ongoing direction and oversight for continual updating of the training described in ORS 173.915;
(e) Develop and maintain a respectful workplace policy to be administered by the Legislative Administrator and that is designed to address conduct that is inconsistent with a respectful workplace in the State Capitol and that does not rise to the level of creating a hostile work environment or violating public accommodation law;
(f) Provide policy direction and oversight to the officer; and
(g) Perform other duties as assigned by joint rules of the Legislative Assembly.
(8) The Joint Committee on Conduct shall be composed of those members of the Senate Committee on Conduct formed to perform delegated and assigned functions described in Article IV, section 15, of the Oregon Constitution, for the Senate and the House Committee on Conduct formed to perform delegated and assigned functions described in Article IV, section 15, of the Oregon Constitution, for the House of Representatives.
(9) In any hearing to perform a function described in Article IV, section 15, of the Oregon Constitution, Joint Committee on Conduct members of the other legislative chamber may attend and be seated at the dais as nonvoting observers.
(10) Notwithstanding subsection (8) of this section, a member of the Joint Committee on Conduct shall be recused from service on a committee on conduct performing functions under Article IV, section 15, of the Oregon Constitution, if the facts and circumstances at issue could impair the member’s ability to act impartially and without bias. In the event of a recusal, the appointing authority shall appoint an acting member until the functions performed under Article IV, section 15, of the Oregon Constitution, have been resolved. [2019 c.604 §1]
173.903 Joint Committee on Conduct continuing existence; quorum; voting. (1) The Joint Committee on Conduct has a continuing existence and may meet, act and conduct its business during the sessions of the Legislative Assembly or any recess thereof, and in the interim period between sessions, but the committee has no authority to affect the rules of either legislative chamber.
(2) The committee may not transact business unless a quorum is present. A quorum consists of a majority of committee members from the House of Representatives and a majority of committee members from the Senate.
(3) Action by the committee requires the affirmative vote of a majority of committee members from the House of Representatives and a majority of committee members from the Senate. [2019 c.604 §2]
173.906 Legislative Equity Officer vacancy. Notwithstanding ORS 173.900 and 173.903, if a vacancy occurs in the position of the Legislative Equity Officer before the expiration of the term of the officer, the Joint Committee on Conduct may select an acting replacement for the vacated officer. The acting equity officer selected by the committee serves at the committee’s pleasure until a Legislative Equity Officer is appointed under ORS 173.900. [2019 c.604 §3]
173.909 Duties and powers of Legislative Equity Officer. (1) The Legislative Equity Officer shall:
(a) Prepare and present an annual report to the Joint Committee on Conduct. The annual report shall include:
(A) A description of the activities of the officer since the last report;
(B) A detailed description of the training curricula and subjects addressed in the training described in ORS 173.915;
(C) Statistics that list the number of confidential disclosures, conduct reports and conduct complaints made under any applicable rule, policy or law addressing harassment, discrimination and retaliation in the legislative branch and the number of investigations conducted, except that statistics reported under this subparagraph may not disclose any characteristics that would permit confidential identities to be determined or inferred;
(D) The results, or a summary of the results, of the most recent culture and climate survey undertaken by the officer under ORS 173.921; and
(E) Any other information required by the committee.
(b) Establish and maintain a Capitol Leadership Team to perform the duties described in ORS 173.927.
(2) The Legislative Equity Officer may employ and fix the compensation of such professional assistants and other employees as the officer deems necessary for the work under the officer’s charge.
(3) The Legislative Equity Officer may enter into contracts to carry out the functions of the Legislative Equity Office. [2019 c.604 §5]
173.912 Contracting for independent investigator; investigator duties. (1) Under the direction of the Joint Committee on Conduct, the Legislative Equity Officer shall contract with one or more individuals who are unaffiliated with the legislative branch and who meet the standards and criteria established by the committee for performing services for the legislative branch as an independent investigator. An independent investigator shall:
(a) Receive complaints and reports alleging harassment or other conduct that is asserted to violate standards of harassment, discrimination or retaliation prescribed by legislative branch personnel rules;
(b) Conduct investigations, determine facts, write investigative reports and report outcomes of investigations to appointing authorities or other persons or entities identified in legislative branch personnel rules or chamber rules as recipients of independent investigator reports; and
(c) Make recommendations regarding interim safety measures to appointing authorities or other persons or entities identified in legislative branch personnel rules or chamber rules as recipients of independent investigator recommendations on interim safety measures.
(2) An independent investigator may not have access to confidential files and records of the Legislative Equity Officer. [2019 c.604 §6]
173.915 Respectful workplace training. (1) The Legislative Equity Officer shall at least once each calendar quarter conduct a minimum of two hours of respectful workplace training, including training on:
(a) Legislative branch workplace harassment avoidance policies and rules;
(b) Legislative branch procedures and rules for reporting or filing complaints to address instances of harassment; and
(c) Free speech and free expression rights guaranteed under the Oregon and United States Constitutions.
(2) The training described in subsection (1) of this section must be attended annually by all legislators, legislative staff, legislative interns, legislative volunteers and lobbyists who are required to register with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. Employees of contractors who reasonably expect to be regularly present in the State Capitol must also attend the training described in subsection (1) of this section. Executive branch and judicial branch personnel who are regularly present in the State Capitol may be invited to attend the training. The Legislative Equity Officer shall record attendance at the trainings and shall make attendance records publicly available.
(3)(a) The Legislative Equity Officer shall make the training described in subsection (1) of this section available online. The officer shall maintain records of all persons who have taken online training.
(b) The online training described in this subsection is intended to be a last-resort alternative to the in-person training described in subsection (1) of this section. Except for a registered lobbyist whose principal office is outside of this state, an individual required to attend training under this section may substitute online training for in-person attendance only once in any two-year period.
(4)(a) The Legislative Equity Officer shall strive to present the training in small group settings and employ best practices to maximize attendance at in-person trainings.
(b) Of the trainings described in subsection (1) of this section, at least one training session annually shall be on basic requirements under legislative branch personnel rules and at least one training session annually shall be an in-depth focus on one of the following topics:
(A) Conduct that constitutes harassment under legislative branch personnel rules or other law;
(B) Specific guidance addressing subtle forms of discrimination and harassment that become unlawful because of the pervasiveness of the conduct;
(C) Available methods of reporting harassment;
(D) Supervisor obligations to report harassment;
(E) The authority every individual has to withdraw consent to intimate conduct and the challenges associated with consensual relationships in the workplace;
(F) Examples of positive workplace behaviors and constructive working relationships;
(G) Skills necessary for individuals to become active bystanders who promote culture change and oppose harassing behavior they observe in the workplace;
(H) Methods for discouraging behavior that does not promote a productive and inclusive work environment;
(I) The human impact and harm to the work environment that harassment causes; or
(J) Free speech and free expression rights guaranteed under the Oregon and United States Constitutions.
(5) The Legislative Equity Officer may contract with other persons or entities with experience performing harassment avoidance and respectful workplace training for the performance of the training described in this section.
(6) The Legislative Equity Officer shall employ best practices in:
(a) Developing training content described in this section and delivery methodologies for the training content; and
(b) Writing and publishing written guidance on Legislative Branch Rules and policies relating to:
(A) Promoting a respectful and inclusive workplace;
(B) Reporting or filing complaints about harassing, discriminatory or retaliatory behavior, or other behavior prohibited by branch rules or policies; and
(C) Understanding options available to those who are experiencing behavior prohibited by branch rules or policies.
(7) The Legislative Equity Officer shall consult with the Legislative Administrator and the committee described in ORS 173.921 (2) in the development of respectful workplace training. [2019 c.604 §7; 2019 c.604 §9]
173.918 Adopting policies for lobbyist respectful workplace training. The Joint Committee on Conduct established under ORS 173.900 may adopt policies that establish content and duration requirements for training sessions described in ORS 171.742. [2019 c.604 §24]
173.921 Culture and climate surveys. (1) The Legislative Equity Officer shall regularly conduct culture and climate surveys of legislators, legislative staff, lobbyists and others who regularly interact with the legislative branch to ascertain the alignment between stated legislative branch policies and goals relating to workplace culture and standards of behavior, and actual beliefs and experiences of those who work in the legislative branch or regularly interact with the legislative branch. The officer shall make the results of culture and climate surveys publicly available.
(2) If a diversity, equity and inclusion committee composed of members of the Legislative Assembly and partisan and nonpartisan staff of the legislative branch exists at the time of consultation, the Legislative Equity Officer shall consult with the committee on culture and climate surveys, training, building policies and practices that may affect legislative branch employees.
(3) The Legislative Equity Officer may contract with other persons or entities with experience conducting culture and climate surveys to conduct the surveys described in subsection (1) of this section.
(4) The Legislative Equity Officer may collaborate with the Legislative Administrator to provide training, coaching and the production of materials intended to improve State Capitol culture and on matters other than workplace harassment. [2019 c.604 §11]
173.924 Reporting harassment to Legislative Equity Officer. (1) The Legislative Equity Officer shall be available to receive information from any individual about harassing behavior occurring in the State Capitol or involving legislators, legislative staff, lobbyists or others who are present in the State Capitol or who engage with legislators, legislative staff or lobbyists, whether in the State Capitol or elsewhere.
(2) The Legislative Equity Officer shall provide confidential process counseling to individuals who believe they have experienced or observed harassment, including but not limited to:
(a) Providing information on legislative branch personnel rules, policies and reporting processes; and
(b) Providing information on the extent to which information may be kept confidential or may be subject to disclosure.
(3) If the Legislative Equity Officer receives information concerning conduct that is inconsistent with a respectful workplace policy adopted by the Joint Committee on Conduct but that does not rise to the level of creating a hostile work environment or violating public accommodation law, the officer shall refer the reporter to the Legislative Administrator.
(4) The Legislative Equity Officer may not engage in any investigation following a report or complaint alleging harassment or following any consultation described in subsection (1) or (2) of this section.
(5) The Legislative Equity Officer may not share any information acquired during a disclosure or consultation made confidential by legislative rule with an independent investigator performing services under ORS 173.912, except that nonpersonally identifiable information may be disclosed to facilitate the taking of any action that is consistent with legislative rules and with the principles of the Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution. [2019 c.604 §12]
173.927 Establishing and maintaining Capitol Leadership Team; team duties. (1) The Legislative Equity Officer shall establish and maintain a Capitol Leadership Team, consisting of legislators, legislative staff, lobbyists, executive and judicial branch staff who regularly interact with the legislative branch, employees of contractors who regularly interact with the legislative branch, and interested members of the public, who have an interest in promoting a productive and inclusive environment in the State Capitol and at functions and events outside of the State Capitol at which legislators, staff, lobbyists and others interact. The officer shall give preference to interested individuals who wish to serve on the team and who also have had experience working on issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Capitol Leadership Team members who are legislators or partisan legislative staff shall be composed equally of those affiliated with the majority party and the minority party, so that there are equal numbers of legislators from the majority party and from the minority party and equal numbers of partisan staff team members from the majority party and from the minority party.
(2) The Legislative Administrator shall provide members of the Capitol Leadership Team with advanced respectful workplace training, with an emphasis on implementing cultural change in the workplace.
(3) Capitol Leadership Team members shall serve as mentors and informal resources of information for others who are interested in promoting a more respectful workplace or who are facing challenges in the workplace.
(4) The Capitol Leadership Team shall identify additional services or additional training needs and shall report those identified additional services or training needs to the Legislative Equity Officer and to the Joint Committee on Conduct. [2019 c.604 §13]
173.930 Contracting for offsite process counselor. (1) At the direction of the Joint Committee on Conduct, the Legislative Equity Officer shall contract with one or more offsite process counselors to perform the duties described in ORS 173.933 or such other duties as are assigned by legislative rule or by the committee.
(2) The committee shall establish minimum qualifications for an offsite process counselor and may establish other criteria for the selection of an offsite process counselor, including criteria by which a request for proposals may be evaluated or by which external experts may be invited to advise the committee on the selection of an offsite process counselor. [2019 c.604 §14]
173.933 Offsite process counselor duties. (1) An offsite process counselor under contract with the Legislative Equity Officer under ORS 173.930 shall be available to receive information from any individual about harassing behavior occurring in the State Capitol or involving legislators, legislative staff, lobbyists or others who are present in the State Capitol or who engage with legislators, legislative staff or lobbyists, whether in the State Capitol or elsewhere.
(2) The offsite process counselor shall provide confidential process counseling to individuals who believe they have experienced or observed harassment, including but not limited to:
(a) Providing information on legislative branch personnel rules, policies and reporting processes; and
(b) Providing information on the extent to which information may be kept confidential or may be subject to disclosure.
(3) The offsite process counselor may not engage in any investigation following a report or complaint alleging harassment or following any consultation described in subsection (1) or (2) of this section.
(4) The offsite process counselor may not share any information acquired during a consultation described in subsection (1) or (2) of this section with the independent investigator performing services under ORS 173.912 and legislative branch personnel rules, except that nonpersonally identifiable information may be disclosed to facilitate the taking of any action that is consistent with legislative rules and with the principles of the Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution.
(5) Upon request of a person making a disclosure, report or complaint to the Legislative Equity Officer, the offsite process counselor may be present when the disclosure, report or complaint is made. [2019 c.604 §15]
173.936 Exemption from public record disclosure; exceptions to exemption. Records and information of the Legislative Equity Officer appointed in ORS 173.900 that relate to disclosures, reports or other allegations made to the equity officer or that relate to investigations, reports or counseling undertaken by the equity officer or by an independent investigator or offsite process counselor at the request or direction of the equity officer are exempt from required disclosure under ORS 192.311 to 192.478, except that:
(1) A conduct complaint made under legislative branch personnel rules is disclosable when requested;
(2) Records relating to an investigation of a member of the Legislative Assembly following a conduct complaint being made concerning the member are subject to disclosure after the fact-finding investigation has concluded, even if a legislative committee has not yet met or deliberated on the investigation’s findings; and
(3) Records relating to an investigation of allegations of conduct prohibited by legislative branch personnel rules and not described in subsection (1) or (2) of this section are subject to disclosure upon a determination being made that the person who was the subject of the investigation is subject to remedial measures or discipline. [2019 c.604 §19]
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