74th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2007 Regular Session
 
SMRA to A-Eng. HJR 14
 
LC 1056/HJR 14-AMR6
 
                     SENATE MINORITY REPORT
                          AMENDMENTS TO
              A-ENGROSSED HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 14
 
                             June 6
 
President Courtney:
  A minority of your Committee on Finance and Revenue, to whom
was referred A-engrossed House Joint Resolution 14, having had
the same under consideration, respectfully reports it back with
the recommendation that it be adopted with the following
amendments:
 
  After line 1 of the printed A-engrossed joint resolution,
insert:
  ' Whereas there is a state agency charged with making sure that
those who hold public office, and therefore public trust, adhere
to a code of ethics; and
  ' Whereas the state agency regulates the actions of all public
officials; and
  ' Whereas the state agency ensures that public bodies uphold
the public meetings law so that government actions are taken in
public; and
  ' Whereas the state agency ensures that public officials avoid
or declare conflicts of interest, giving Oregonians the
confidence that their public officials are acting in the best
interests of all; and
  ' Whereas placing decisions about the budget for the state
agency in the hands of those regulated by the agency risks the
credibility of the agency and those it regulates; and
  ' Whereas it is critical that a dedicated source of funding
exist to ensure that the state agency has a consistent and
sustainable means of carrying out its charge; now, therefore,'.
  Delete lines 3 through 11 and insert:
  '  { +  PARAGRAPH 1. + } The Constitution of the State of
Oregon is amended by creating new sections 34 and 34a to be added
to and made a part of Article IV, such sections to read:
  '  { +  SECTION 34. + }  { + The Oregon Government Ethics Fund
is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from
the General Fund. The Oregon Government Ethics Fund is an
investment fund that retains its own interest. Earnings on the
fund may be used only to pay the expenses of the state agency
charged by law with the investigation and enforcement of the laws
of this state governing ethics in government. + }
  '  { +  SECTION 34a. + }  { + (1) The Seventy-fifth Legislative
Assembly shall appropriate to the Oregon Government Ethics Fund,
for the biennium beginning July 1, 2009, out of the General Fund,
the amount of $14.5 million for the purposes of section 34 of
this Article.
  ' (2) This section is repealed on January 1, 2010. + }
 
  '  { +  PARAGRAPH 2. + }  { + The amendment proposed by this
resolution shall be submitted to the people for their approval or
rejection at the next general election held throughout this
state. + } ' .
 
                         /sBruce Starr
                           Senator
 
                         /sGary George
                           Senator
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