Public Meetings Law

Oregon's Public Meetings Law is guided by ORS 192.610 to 192.705 and is enforced by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC). Public meetings laws are enacted to make sure that government meetings are open and accessible to the public, ensuring transparency and enhancing the public's ability to be informed about decisions that affect them.

If you believe there has been a violation of the Public Meetings Law, you have the right to file a complaint. There are specific requirements you must meet before submitting a Public Meetings Law complaint to OGEC.

STEPS TO FILE A COMPLAINT:

1. Submit a grievance

First, you must submit a written grievance to the public body before filing a complaint with OGEC. Your grievance must include:

• Date of the submission of the grievance
• Name and contact information of the person filing the grievance
• Date that the alleged violation occurred
• Description of the facts and circumstances of the alleged violation of ORS 192.610-192.705

The grievance must be submitted to the public body within 30 calendar days of the alleged violation occurring. Written grievances can be submitted in person at City Hall (3225 Main Street, Monday-Thursday, 7:00 AM-5:30 PM) during regular business hours, by first-class mail, or via email to cpretty@sweethomeor.gov. 

2. Wait for a response

The City has 21 calendar days to respond to your written greivance. The response will acknowledge receipt and address it in one of the following ways:

• Deny the facts and circumstances alleged in the grievance. Provide the public body's version of events and why those facts are not a violation of the law.
• Admit to the facts and circumstances alleged in the grievance, but deny that they are a violation of the law.
• Admit to the facts and circumstances alleged in the grievance and that they are a violation of the law. Explain the steps the governing body will take to address the violation.

Once you receive a response from the public body, or if no response is provided within 21 days, you may file a complaint with OGEC. If you receive a response that satisfies your grievance, you can work with the public body and do not have to file a complaint.

3. File a complaint

If you do not receive a response within 21 days or you are dissatisfied with the response, you may file a complaint with OGEC. You will be required to show proof that you completed steps 1 and 2 prior to filing your complaint with OGEC. Compalints can be submitted through the OGEC's complaint page. Be sure to follow their requirements.

For more information, please visit the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.