ORS 244.320: Manual on government ethics; effect of reliance on manual; revision.

(1) The Oregon Government Ethics Commission shall prepare and publish a manual on government ethics that explains in terms understandable to legislative and public officials and the public the requirements of this chapter and the commission’s interpretation of those requirements whether stated by rule or in an opinion. The manual shall set forth recommended uniform reporting methods for use by persons filing statements under this chapter. The manual, and any updates to the manual made under subsection (3) of this section, must be approved by a vote of a majority of the members of the commission. (2) In preparing the manual, the commission shall consider the format of the manual prepared by the Attorney General to guide public officials and the public in the requirements of ORS chapter 192. (3) The commission shall update the manual as often as the commission believes necessary but no less frequently than once every four years. (4) The commission shall make copies of the manual available in an electronic format on the Internet. (5) The commission may not impose a penalty under ORS 244.350 or 244.360 on a public official or candidate for any good faith action the public official or candidate takes in reliance on the manual, or any update to the manual, approved by the commission under this section. [1991 c.522 §2; 2007 c.865 §36; 2009 c.68 §15]