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Rulemaking

Overview

Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) are extensions of the laws passed by the legislature. They provide clear guidance for individuals, businesses, and other entities to follow. Administrative rules ensure laws are applied consistently and clearly. Rulemaking helps implement and enforce laws and policies effectively. It also allows government agencies to respond to changing circumstances, tackle emerging issues, and improve existing regulations by creating, amending, or repealing rules as needed. 

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission's (OGEC) administrative rules are located in Chapter 199.



The Rulemaking Process

Rulemaking can be initiated by OGEC staff, a petition from the public, or the Oregon Legislature. Once the process is initiated, rulemaking follows the next steps:

​In the first step, the OGEC Rule Writer drafts the first version of the administrative rules.

​Next, OGEC assembles a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC).

Applications are made available to serve on the RAC.

RAC members are selected by OGEC staff, and are notified of their position.

​The RAC meets as many times as needed. During these meetings, members can review and suggest edits to the proposed rule text, statement of need, fiscal impact, and racial equity impact statements. 

The OGEC Rule Writer and Rule Administrators review comments and make determinations on any changes to the proposed rules.

​The OGEC Rule Writer and Rule Coordinators create a written document that describes the proposed rules, explains why the rules are necessary and discusess the possible fiscal impacts of the proposed rules.

The notice documents are published to the OGEC website and the Secretary of State publishes the notice documents in the Oregon Bulletin. In addition, OGEC staff sends rulemaking notices by email to individuals who are signed up for GovDelivery email services.

The OGEC Rule Writer and Rule Coordinators continue to review comments and make determinations on any changes to the proposed rules.

​Upon schedule or request, a public hearing can be held for the public to attend or provide verbal or written comments.

The OGEC Rule Writer and Rule Coordinators review comments and make determinations on any changes to the proposed rules.

​OGEC staff takes the proposed administrative rules before the Commission. The Commission must vote to adopt the proposed rules for them to become law.

​Administrative rules are filed with the Oregon Secretary of State to conclude the rulemaking process.


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Contact

If you have any questions, please contact the OGEC Rules Coordinator:

OGEC Rules Coordinator

rulemaking@ogec.oregon.gov

503-378-5105