Washington County commissioners debate wording, deadlines for proposed "rule of law" resolution

The Washington County Board of Commissioners reviewed a draft "rule of law" resolution and order drafted by a subcommittee and county counsel during a Tuesday work session, with discussion focused on whether to adopt language the community submitted and on the process and timing for amendments.

Chair Pro Tem Jason Snyder said he and a subcommittee worked from community feedback, the county charter and constitutional provisions to produce a fresh draft and asked the board for feedback. County Counsel Barnett said staff integrated the subcommittee's policy direction into a coherent draft and noted that two resolved-and-ordered provisions would send the board's position beyond internal policy — including a direction that the chair provide a copy of the R&O to the Oregon attorney general and a declaration of support for the county's congressional delegation.

Commissioner Therese expressed support for the R&O as written but asked how the subcommittee had compared the draft to a community-submitted resolution; she urged board members to review community language paragraph-by-paragraph and said she would submit written amendments if needed. "We were reminded by our community that the rule of law is important and we became much more self reflective about what that means," Therese said.

Commissioner Willie said the community draft reads "significantly different" and described it as "very directed at President Trump," arguing he did not want the county resolution to take that form. "If they want to say that, that's fine, but I do not want us as a commission to be that directive and that focused on this," Willie said.

Barnett said those outreach provisions would communicate the board's position to external actors. Commissioners agreed to the following process: Commissioner Fye will submit specific amendment language to County Counsel Barnett by Friday, Feb. 20, so staff can include changes in the public packet for a business meeting on March 3. Barnett told commissioners that staff could also schedule another work session if the board preferred more group-level deliberation before finalizing the R&O.

The board did not vote on the resolution during the work session; members agreed to continue refining the draft and to consider submitted written amendments before the March 3 business meeting.