ORS 244.209 Application to establish fund; commission review and authorization

A public official may apply to establish a legal expense trust fund by filing an application with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. The application must contain:

A copy of an executed trust agreement described in subsection (2) of this section;

A sworn affidavit described in subsection

of this section signed by the public official; and

A sworn affidavit described in subsection

of this section signed by the trustee.

The trust agreement must contain the following:

A provision incorporating by reference the provisions of ORS 244.205 to 244.221; and

A designation of a trustee under ORS 244.211.

The affidavit of the public official must state:

The nature of the legal proceeding that requires establishment of the trust fund;

That the public official will comply with the provisions of ORS 244.205 to 244.221; and

That the public official is responsible for the proper administration of the trust fund.

The affidavit of the trustee must state that the trustee:

Has read and understands ORS 244.205 to 244.221; and

Consents to administer the trust fund in compliance with ORS 244.205 to 244.221.

Upon receiving an application under this section, the commission shall review the trust agreement, the affidavits and any supporting documents or instruments filed to determine whether the application meets the requirements of ORS 244.205 to 244.221. If the commission determines that the application meets the requirements of ORS 244.205 to 244.221, the commission shall grant written authorization to the public official to establish the trust fund.

The commission shall review the quarterly statements required under ORS 244.217 and shall monitor the activities of each trust fund to ensure continued compliance with ORS 244.205 to 244.221.

Unless subject to the attorney-client privilege, all documents required to be filed relating to the creation and administration of a trust fund are public records subject to disclosure as provided in ORS 192.311 to 192.478.

A public official may not establish a legal expense trust fund without receiving prior written authorization of the commission as described in this section.

A public official may file an amendment to a trust agreement approved as part of a trust fund under this section. The commission shall approve the amendment if the commission determines the amendment meets the requirements of ORS 244.205 to 244.221.