Public Affairs

Overview document with list of links to current proposals

The Public Affairs Committee received input from bar members regarding legislative proposals submitted by OSB groups at the Legislative Comment Forum and welcome you to review the proposals at the link above. These proposals have been submitted to Legislative Counsel’s office for drafting. The Final LC Drafts are noted with active links.

The OSB Legislative Guideline Overview

2011 Law Improvement Proposal

The board has determined that the use of bar dues to participate in shaping legislation that involves the regulation of the legal profession and matters concerning the quality of legal services available to the people of Oregon is germane to the bar's role and is in the public interest.

Oregon State Bar legislative or policy activities shall be limited to those reasonably related to any of the following subjects:

The regulation and discipline of lawyers;
The improvement of the functioning of the courts including issues of judicial independence, fairness, efficacy and efficiency;
The availability of legal services to society;
The regulation of lawyer trust accounts;
The education, ethics, competence, integrity and regulation of the legal profession; or
The provision of law improvement assistance to elected and appointed government officials;
Issues involving the structure and organization of federal, state and local courts in or affecting Oregon;
Issues involving the rules of practice, procedure and evidence in federal, state or local courts in or affecting Oregon; and
Issues involving the duties and functions of judges and lawyers in federal, state, and local courts in or affecting Oregon.

*Excerpt from OSB Bylaws, Article 12 Legislation and Public Policy

2011 Law Improvement Proposal

2010 Special Legislative Session

Oregon�s 76th Legislative Session convened on February 1. The 2010 special legislative session adjourned sine die on Thursday, February 24.

2009 Legislation Highlights Publication available for purchase

2009 Oregon Legislation Highlights publication is now available for purchase for $85 plus $7 shipping. For more information, contact Camille Greene at cgreene@osbar.org, or call 503.431.6376.

2009 Legislative Session

Oregon’s 75th Legislative Session convened on January 12. The 2009 legislative session adjourned sine die on the evening of Monday, June 29. Here are links to three different views of the legislature’s 2009 session:

Governor Kulongoski: http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/pdf/2009_accomplishments_long.pdf

House Democrats: http://www.leg.state.or.us/press_releases/hdo_070109.html

House Republicans: http://www.leg.state.or.us/press_releases/sro_063009.pdf

Search for bills by keyword: http://www.leg.state.or.us/searchmeas.html

Visit the Oregon Legislature�s web site here

Read recent Legislative Press Releases here

OSB/OJD Task Force on Oregon eCourt Implementation

For the latest information, read the Winter Oregon eCourt Newsletter.

Mission Statement

The Public Affairs Department works to apply the knowledge and experience of the legal profession to the public good by advising governmental bodies, proposing legislation for law improvement, and advocating on matters that affect the legal profession.

The Public Affairs Program:
provides legal expertise and assistance to lawmakers;
informs bar leaders, members and government bodies on bar related legislation and public policy issues;
assists bar groups with law improvement projects; and
influences major issues affecting the legal profession and justice system.

Policies/Proposals

OSB Bylaws

Article 12 - Legislation And Public Policy

The Political Process: Roles and Responsibilities

OSB Legislative Proposals/Session Results

OSB 2009 Legislative Session Results
OSB 2007 Legislative Session Results
OSB 2005 Legislative Session Results
OSB 2003 Legislative Session Results
OSB 2001 Legislative Session Results
OSB 1999 Legislative Session Results

Keller Rule

What is the Keller Rule?

In 1990, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Keller v. State Bar of California, 499 US 1, 111 SCt 2228 (1990) that an integrated (mandatory) bars use of compulsory dues to finance political and ideological activities violates the 1st Amendment rights of dissenting members when such expenditures are not germane to the bars purpose, which the court identified as regulating the legal profession and improving the quality of legal services.

Keller does not prohibit integrated bars from using member dues to advance political or ideological positions that are not germane to the bars purpose; however, it requires that dissenting members receive a refund of the portion of dues attributable to the non-germane activity.

Publications

Public Affairs Department brochure

Capitol Insider Newsletters

2009 Oregon Legislation Highlights publication
2008 Oregon Legislation Highlights publication

2009 Legislative Tips Handbook
2007 Legislative Tips Handbook
2005 Legislative Tips Handbook
2003 Legislative Tips Handbook
2001 Legislative Tips Handbook

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Contacts

Public Affairs Committee Members

The Public Affairs Committee of the Board of Governors oversees the work of the program, and makes recommendation to the Board of Governors on public policy issues.

Public Affairs Committee Process

The Board or its Public Affairs Committee sets priorities regarding legislation or positions on legislation. In so doing, the Board will make a reasonable effort to do the following:

Encourage as wide a participation of the membership as possible
in formulating positions on legislative issues;
Inform members of the Bars legislative positions;
Respect divergent opinions of subgroups within the legal profession;
Provide assistance to bar sections and committees; avoid
committing bar funds to issues that are divisive or create factions
within the profession;
Present major issues to the House of Delegates for approval.

2010 Public Affairs Committee Members

Stephen V. Piucci Chair, Portland

Derek C. Johnson Vice-Chair, Eugene

Anne L. Fisher, Portland

Gina Johnnie, Salem

Steve Larson, Portland

Kenneth Mitchell-Phillips, Portland

Audrey Matsumonji, Gresham

Oregon State Bar Public Affairs Staff

P.O. Box 231935
Tigard, OR
97281-1935
(503) 620-0222
or toll-free in Oregon: (800) 452-8260
Fax: (503) 684-1366

Staff:
Susan Evans Grabe, Director
David Nebel, Legislative Attorney
Matt Shields, Staff Attorney
Camille Greene, Public Affairs Assistant

OSB Section and Committee Legislative Contacts

Elected Officials with Legal Training

All OSB Staff Contacts

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How To Get Involved

Tips for Communicating with Your Legislator

Tips for Lobbying and Getting Prepared

OSB Guidelines for Section & Committee Involvement

OSB Legislative Policy Guideline