HB2805: Relating to public meetings; and prescribing an effective date.

Legislative Summary

Provides that use of serial electronic written communication or use of intermediaries to communicate may constitute meeting of governing body subject to public meetings law if other specified conditions are satisfied. Provides that use of serial electronic written communication or use of intermediaries to communicate may constitute meeting of governing body subject to public meetings law if other specified conditions are satisfied. Provides that public meetings law does not apply to communications that are purely factual or educational, that are unrelated to any matter that governing body could foreseeably deliberate on or decide or that are nonsubstantive in nature. Requires Oregon Government Ethics Commission to provide, or arrange for other organization to provide, annual training on requirements of public meetings law and best practices to enhance compliance with public meetings law. Requires members of governing bodies with total fiscal year expenditures above threshold amount to attend training at least once per term of public office. Excludes state government governing bodies from training requirements. Expands duties of commission to conduct investigations, make findings and impose penalties for violations of public meetings law. Authorizes any person to file complaint with commission alleging that meetings were not in compliance with public meetings law. Requires complainant to have first made written grievance with public body whose governing body is alleged to have violated public meetings law so as to provide governing body opportunity to cure decisions made in violation of public meetings law. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.