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Ethics Matters Newsletter December 2025 |
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 A Note from the Executive Director
I have recently been reflecting on the contributions of our Commissioners. These nine volunteers not only give up a Friday morning (and often early afternoon) every month, but they spend countless hours in advance of each meeting reading through the very, very long meeting books. At their meetings, the Commissioners approach each case thoughtfully and they treat everyone who comes before them with respect.
Commissioners Dan Mason (who left in September) and Dave Fiskum (who is leaving in December) both served two full four-year terms on the Commission. Also in November, Commissioners Alicia McAuley and Jonathan Thompson were confirmed by the Senate and appointed to serve their second terms. The willingness of these Commissioners to serve not just one but two terms on the Commission is greatly appreciated, as they bring a deep understanding of the application of our laws.
So as this year wraps up, I would like to express my thanks to all of our Commissioners (including those who have left or are leaving) for their commitment and service to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.
~ Susan Myers, Executive Director
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Lobby Law Reminders
Several important dates are coming up for lobbyists and lobbyist client/employers in Oregon! For our last newsletter of 2025, OGEC is providing some details for lobbyists about registrations and reporting requirements, as well as reminders for trainings and quarterly deadlines.
Registrations Expire Soon!
Attention all lobbyists and lobbyist client/employers! On December 31, 2025, your registration will expire in OGEC’s Electronic Filing System (EFS). All registrations expire on December 31st in an odd-numbered year, per ORS 171.740(5).
Here’s how to make sure your registration will remain continuous in EFS:
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You can renew your registration in December when you receive a notice in EFS about the expiration dates.
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You can re-register in EFS before January 31, 2026, and it will be deemed as a continuing registration from December 31, 2025.
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Quarterly Reporting Deadlines & Reporting Requirements
Quarterly expenditure reports for Quarter 4 of 2025 are due on January 15, 2026. The reporting period will open 15 days before the deadline, on January 1, 2026. If you haven’t filled out a report before or need a reminder of what information is required, check out our Required Report Information page.
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Quarter
Quarter 1
Quarter 2
Quarter 3
Quarter 4
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Duration
January 1 - March 31
April 1 - June 30
July 1 - September 30
October 1 - December 31
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Report Due
April 15
July 15
October 15
January 15
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Test Your Lobby Reporting Knowledge!
Since the reporting deadline is right around the corner, let’s look at two common lobbying situations and what would need to be reported. Can you choose the correct reporting option?
1. Lobbyist Reporting Scenario
Micah is a lobbyist. Last month, they had three meals with legislative officials. At the first meal, they invited a legislator and their spouse for lunch. They paid $30 for each plate, including their own, for a total of $90. At the second meal, they invited a senator and three of their staff, paying $40 for each plate for a total of $200. At the third meal, they ate with a few legislators but only paid $25 for their own meal. The total for all meals came to $315.
What does Micah need to report on their quarterly expenditure report from these meals? Choose one and read more!
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The total expenditure of $315, and no itemized expenditures. |
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The total expenditure of $315, and one itemized expenditure, for the first meal where the legislator brought their spouse. |
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The total expenditure of $315, and two itemized expenditures, one for the first meal where the legislator brought their spouse and another for the second meal where the senator brought their staff. |
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2. Client/Employer Reporting Scenario
Lobbyists R Us is a client that employs three lobbyists; Micah, Leslie, and Parker. The firm is currently putting together their quarterly report. They spent $40,000 total on all lobbying activities this quarter. They spent $9,000 on:
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And then an additional $31,000 for costs associated with the three lobbyists: |
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Micah
Total: $9,000
- Itemized Expenditures: List meal with legislator & spouse
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Parker
Total: $10,000
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Itemized Expenditures: N/A
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What is Lobbyists R Us including in their report that they shouldn't be? Choose from the options below to find out: |
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They should not include overhead costs. |
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They should not include travel costs for Leslie or itemized expenditures for Micah. |
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They should not include travel costs for Leslie. |
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Don't Forget to Report Your 2025 Training
Every registered lobbyist needs to take a Respectful Workplace training administered by the Legislative Equity Office (LEO) during the calendar year. If you took the training in 2025:
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Ethics Law Update
Starting January 1, the Conflict of Interest (COI) provisions have changed. Read OGEC's bulletin.
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Evening Webinars
OGEC's next evening webinar on Public Meetings Law will be on Tuesday, January 13!
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Leave Feedback for OGEC
OGEC's Customer Satisfaction Survey for 2025 closes soon! Add your thoughts on this year.
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OGEC is hiring a Trainer (Program Analyst 1), and the recruitment closes on December 28. Trainers at OGEC present on Government Ethics Law, Public Meetings Law, and Lobby Law both on-line and in person all around Oregon. The training role includes:
- Explaining policy guidance on the laws in OGEC's jurisdiction, both verbally and in writing.
- Answering the public’s questions about OGEC’s jurisdiction.
- Assisting in developing educational tools that support the training program's goals.
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A Year in Review: Public Meetings Law Trainings |
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Approved Trainings
OGEC has approved Public Meetings Law Trainings offered by 6 entities that support public officials in Oregon:
Oregon School Board Association (OSBA)
Beery, Elsner & Hammond LLP
League of Oregon Cities (LOC)
Special Districts Association of Oregon (SDAO)
Port of Portland
Oregon Community College Association (OCCA)
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The Public Meetings Law training is now one year old. During that time, OGEC's Training Team has trained more than 3865 individuals. We know there is always room to improve, but we have received lots of positive feedback, such as:
- "I think you have done a fine job to keep it interesting and moving at a reasonable pace."
- "Quizzes were good. Common pitfalls or real world examples are always helpful."
- "It was very well designed and paced. Good that a break was provided."
If you attended a Public Meetings Law training with OGEC, your feedback has shaped the training too! Thanks to your feedback, we have:
- Improved the wording on the training scenarios.
- Updated the training descriptions to reflect how long the training will last and which topics are covered.
- Sent out a post-training email with all of the Public Meetings Law resources we have developed.
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New Commission Officers and Term Appointments
At their December 12 meeting, the Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted to appoint Shenoa Payne as Chair and Jonathan Thompson as Vice Chair for 2026. Alicia McAuley and Jonathan Thompson have both been confirmed by the Senate and appointed to serve a second term on the Commission. Congratulations to our Commissioners, we'll see you next year!
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Farewell to Commissioner Fiskum
Dave Fiskum, most recently Commission Chair, attended his last meeting as a Commissioner on December 12, 2025. Commissioner Fiskum served 8 years with the Commission, and we at OGEC are eternally grateful for the time he spent with us. Commissioner Fiskum has graciously contributed his thoughts for the occasion:
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Become an OGEC Commissioner
Are you interested in government transparency? There are periodically Commission positions open and applications are kept on file for two years. Meetings occur every four weeks. Information on previous and upcoming Commission meetings can be found on our Meetings webpage.
No more than three of the members of the Commission may be from the same political party. Please make sure to state your political affiliation in your application.
For more information and to submit your application, click the "Apply Here" button to see the position description on Workday.
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Upcoming Commission Meetings
January 9, 2026
February 6, 2026
March 6, 2026
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