HB 4177

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.