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County counsel warns commissioners: new law codifies ban on serial communications; Ethics Commission can fine quorums
Summary
Rob Ovett, Washington County counsel, briefed the planning commission on recent changes to Oregon public meetings law (codified in HB 2805), explained direct and indirect serial communications, and said the Ethics Commission now has authority to enforce violations, including fines and reprimands.
Rob Ovett, the county counsel and the planning commission—s attorney, gave a refresher on public meetings law and recent statutory and rule changes at the Dec. 4 meeting.
Ovett reviewed the origins of Oregon—s public meetings law (1973) and the Handy v. Lane County litigation history. He described two types of serial communications that can violate the law: direct examples (email chains in which a quorum is copied and substantive discussion ensues) and indirect…
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