The Oregon Government Ethics Commission impartially and effectively administers and enforces Oregon's Government Ethics Law for the benefit of Oregon's citizens. OGEC emphasizes education in achieving its mission.

OGEC's jurisdiction is Government Ethics, Lobby, and Public Meetings Law.

OGEC Website

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A Note from the Executive Director

Given recent deadlines for filing third quarter lobbying expenditure reports, OGEC staff are getting a lot of questions about the filing requirements. Questions are about both the expenditure reports and Statement of Economic Interest (SEI) reports for certain general election candidates.

Some of the questions are from filers asking what to do if after filing their reports they realize something got overlooked or omitted. For example, an SEI filer might realize that they never uploaded the notices/documentation for items reported in question 4 (office related events) or question 5 (honoraria). Similarly, a lobbyist or client/employer might realize they never uploaded copies of the notices they were required to provide to the public officials [see ORS 244.100.].

The answer is simple: amend your reports. The Electronic Filing System allows SEI filers, lobbyists and client/employers to amend their reports at any time (not just during the filing window). So if you ever realize that your filed reports were inaccurate or incomplete, take the time needed to file an amended report. You can call OGEC if you have questions about the filing requirements or need assistance with amending your reports.

~ Susan Myers, Executive Director

Conflicts of Interest and Adopting Budgets

One of the most common times public officials are faced with a conflict of interest is during the budget review and adoption process. In 2025, Oregon Government Ethics Law changed because the Oregon School Board Association and the Ethics Commission worked together propose legislation to address a longstanding and common problem: how can a school board member meaningfully fulfill their responsibility to approve a budget if they are prohibited from discussing, debating or voting on the budget because they have a relative who is employed by the school district, like a teacher?

This problem was not unique to school board members. This problem existed for any public official who served on a governing body that approved a local budget. If the budget contained compensation for themselves or their relatives, they were met with an actual conflict of interest. Generally speaking, that meant that the public official was required to declare an actual conflict of interest, abstain from any discussion or debate on the matter, and were prohibited from voting on the matter.

The change in the law addresses that issue head-on. What follows is a discussion of conflicts of interest, the newest exception to conflicts of interest, as well as frequently asked questions about how this change impacts public officials across the state.

Conflicts of Interest

A public official is met with a conflict of interest, actual or potential, whenever they participate, in their official capacity, in making a decision or recommendation, or taking action, the result of which would be (actual conflict of interest) or could be (potential conflict of interest) to the financial benefit or detriment of the public official, their relative, or any business with which they or their relative is associated. [ORS 244.020(1) and (13)].

Elected public officials, and those appointed to serve on boards or commissions, are subject to the disclosure requirements in ORS 244.120(2). When met with a conflict of interest, such officials must make a public announcement describing the nature of their conflict of interest. If it is a potential conflict of interest, after making the public announcement, the official may participate in the matter, including making a decision or voting. If it is an actual conflict of interest, after making the public announcement, the official must refrain from any participation in the matter and may not vote unless their vote is needed to satisfy a minimum vote requirement, in which case after making the public conflict of interest announcement, they may vote, but not participate in any discussion or debate.

For more information on what should be included in an actual conflict of interest declaration, please refer to the Commission’s Government Ethics Law Guide, which includes sample conflict of interest statements.

Senate Bill (SB) 983

SB 983 was passed by the Oregon Legislature and became law on June 26, 2025. SB 983 permits local public officials to participate in discussion, debate and to vote on the adoption of a local budget that includes compensation for the public official or a relative of the public official after announcing an actual conflict of interest.

ORS 244.120(2)(b)(C)

As a result of SB 983, ORS 244.120(2)(b)(C) was added to ORS Chapter 244. This provision states that when elected public officials and those serving on boards or commissions are met with actual conflicts of interest, they must publicly announce the nature of their conflict of interest and:

If the official action is the adoption of a local budget under ORS 294.305 to 294.565 that includes providing compensation or benefits to the public official or a relative of the public official, be eligible to participate in any discussion or debate on the budget and to vote. [ORS 244.120(2)(b)(C)].

Frequently Asked Questions:

A City Charter provides that all City Council members receive a stipend of $100 per month. How do City Council members pass a budget that includes a line item for their Councilor stipends?
A Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to consider and adopt the annual County budget which includes their own salaries. The budget is organized by department, and the Commissioners will review the budget for each department individually over the course of several meetings. Are the Commissioners required to make conflict of interest disclosures prior to discussing sections of the budget that do not include their own compensation?
A City Budget Committee member’s spouse serves on City Council. The budget being considered includes a fund to reimburse City Council members for personal expenses incurred during annual training events. If the Budget Committee member declares their conflict of interest, could they still participate in budget discussions?
Can school board members use the exception in ORS 244.120(2)(b)(C) to adopt and implement a stipend?
Can the school board members use the exception in ORS 244.120(2)(b)(C) to adopt and implement a stipend by adding it to the budget?
A water district is scheduled to review and adopt their annual budget. The board president’s son works as the office manager for the water district. There is a line item in the budget for staff salaries and benefits. Can the board president participate in the review and vote on the budget?
A water district is scheduled to review and adopt their annual budget. The board president’s roommate works as the office manager for the water district. There is a line item in the budget for staff salaries and benefits. Can the board president participate in the review and vote on the budget?
The board president’s spouse has a contract with the fire district to provide them with payroll service. The board president’s spouse is not an employee of the fire district. The fire district board is meeting to review and adopt their annual budget. Money to pay for the payroll services is included in the budget. Can the board president use the new local budget exception to participate in the review and vote of the local budget?
What qualifies as a “local budget” as described in ORS 244.120(2)(b)(C)?

You can review these questions, and find the answers, by clicking the button below.

Read FAQ and Answers

Training Updates

Updated Ethics Training in Workday

The updated and improved Ethics Law training is available on-demand in Workday. You might be looking for Ethics Law training because:

You recently accepted a position as an employee at a public body
You are serving on a public board, commission, or council
Your office or position requires you to complete Ethics Law training

This training replaces the previous on-demand training option in Workday. If you have been using OGEC's on-demand training option in the past, this training is linked in the same place. Plan to spend about 90 minutes completing the course. If you have a Workday learning account, access the training using the button below!

Take Online Ethics Law Training

Accounts

If you don't have a Workday Learning account, you can request one!

If you have an account, do not make a duplicate
New account requests will be processed in 1-2 business days
Visit OGEC's website for details on external Workday accounts

Request Account

Lobbyists, Respectful Workplace Trainings Available, Space Is Limited!

If you are a registered lobbyist in Oregon, you are required to take a Respectful Workplace Training this year. The Legislative Equity Office provides these trainings, and they have a variety of dates to choose from, but spots fill fast. Sign up as soon as possible. Click the button below to visit the Legislative Equity Office Training Page.

Sign up for Respectful Workplace Training

New Resource for New Board and Commission Members

OGEC's website now includes a webpage with resources specifically for new board and commission members. The page is linked under the Training section of the website. It includes resources about Government Ethics Law and Public Meetings Law. Be sure to scroll down and read about filing your Statement of Economic Interest, too.

New board and commission members need to check in with their Jurisdictional Contact (JC) and make sure their account information is current in OGEC's system.

Calling all Jurisdictional Contacts

OGEC recently hired a new Administrative Specialist – Amber Heitz! Amber is going to be the primary contact for Jurisdictional Contacts (JCs) across the state.

Amber recently attended the Oregon Association of Municipal Recorders (OAMR) conference. If you have not met Amber yet, OGEC will have an online opportunity on November 2, 2026 at 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. for Jurisdictional Contacts to:

Get to know Amber more
Ask any questions about the upcoming 2027 SEI season
Find out about future JC and SEI trainings
Learn how to access resources

Look for a bulletin with more details in the upcoming weeks.

Executive Director Review Coming Soon

Watch for a bulletin later this month inviting you to leave a review for OGEC's Executive Director.

Leave Feedback for OGEC

There is still time to participate in OGEC's Customer Satisfaction Survey for 2026 - you can leave a review at the button below.

Take the Customer Satisfaction Survey

Commission Updates

Welcome Sheetal Digari to the Investigation Team

Sheetal shares our office’s love for house plants. She brings her interests in ethics, collective morality, and responsibility to this work. Click below to read all about Sheetal’s research background, and her favorite movies too!

Read Sheetal's Interview

Amber standing at the Salem, Oregon Downtown Cherriots Transit Center with the morning sun in her brown medium length hair

Welcome Amber Heitz to the Administration Team

Amber loves plants, too, and she keeps one at her desk. She is a licensed cosmetologist and an accomplished athlete. Click below to read more about Amber's journey to OGEC, including her cool hobbies!

Read Amber's Interview

Welcome Commissioner Givens

Commissioner Larry Givens began his tenure with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission in late June. He feels that an important part of serving his fellow citizens is keeping government honest, open, and transparent.

Commissioner Givens has served on boards and commissions under three Oregon governors, and he has held appointed and elected leadership positions at county, state, and federal levels.

In his time with OGEC, he looks forward to guiding and educating individuals and public entities through the challenges of serving their constituents. When he is not attending meetings, he can be found working on his farm with his wife, Anne, growing pumpkins for local children.

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 to Be a Commissioner" button to see the position description on Workday.

Apply to Be a Commissioner

Upcoming Commission Meetings

November 13, 2026

December 11, 2026

Meeting Information

Oregon Government Ethics Commission
3218 Pringle Road SE, Suite 220
Salem, OR 97302
(503) 378-5105 | mail@ogec.oregon.gov | www.oregon.gov/OGEC

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