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HB4177Introduced in the House

Relating to public meetings; and prescribing an effective date.

Vetoed

Introduced by Rules

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

The Act changes how officials may talk outside of public meetings. The Act changes how OGEC oversees and trains on the public meetings law. The Act changes some duties from a governing body to the public body. The Act changes how governing bodies and public bodies may cure public meetings law violations. The Act takes effect 91 days after session ends. (Flesch Readability Score: 62.6). Restates the serial communications prohibitions for public meetings law purposes. Identifies the types of communications between governing body members that are excluded from public meetings requirements. Changes the obligation to provide notice for meetings from a governing body to the public body for each of its governing bodies. Changes the obligation to provide for the sound, video or digital recording or the taking of written minutes from a governing body to the public body for each of its governing bodies. Clarifies that public meetings may be held in person, through use of electronic means or in a hybrid format of in-person and electronic means. Requires public meetings law complainants to provide specified documentation to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission before complaints are considered filed. Requires complainants to proceed in court if the complaint alleges a public meetings law violation by one or more members of the commission. Modifies requirements concerning which public officials must attend public meetings law training and when those officials must attend the training. Allows the commission to proceed against a public body or a public official associated with a public body for violations of public meetings laws. Establishes methods by which governing bodies and public bodies may cure public meetings law violations under certain circumstances. Clarifies the imposition of penalties by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission against public bodies and public officials. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Where it stands

Governor vetoed.

April 16, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House votes

3 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

1 recorded vote · each counted separately

SenateStage: Senate Third Reading · March 6, 2026

25

Yes

3

No

2

Absent or Not Voting

30 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

See how each senator voted

Bill history

  1. First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.

  2. Referred to Rules.

  3. Public Hearing held.

  4. Work Session held.

  5. Recommendation: Do pass with amendments, be printed A-Engrossed, and be referred to Ways and Means.

  6. Referred to Ways and Means by order of Speaker.

  7. Assigned to Subcommittee On Capital Construction.

  8. Work Session held.

  9. Returned to Full Committee.

  10. Work Session held.

  11. Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed B-Engrossed.

  12. Second reading.

  13. Third reading. Carried by Sosa. Passed. Ayes, 47; Nays, 4--Cate, Osborne, Owens, Scharf; Excused, 3--Hartman, Levy B, Valderrama; Excused for Business of the House, 6--Boshart Davis, Breese-Iverson, Diehl, Harbick, Javadi, Smith G.

  14. First reading. Referred to President's desk.

  15. Referred to Ways and Means.

  16. Recommendation: Do pass the B-Eng. bill.

  17. Second reading.

  18. Third reading. Carried by Lieber. Passed. Ayes, 25; Nays, 3--McLane, Robinson, Taylor; Excused, 2--Hayden, Thatcher.

  19. Speaker signed.

  20. President signed.

  21. Governor vetoed.

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