2015 Oregon Revised Statutes
Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections
Chapter 260 - Campaign Finance Regulation; Election Offenses
Section 260.007 - Exclusions from definitions of "contribution" and "expenditure."

As used in this chapter, "contribute," "contribution," "expend" or "expenditure" does not include:

(1) Any written news story, commentary or editorial distributed through the facilities of any broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine or other regularly published publication, unless a political committee owns the facility.

(2) An individual’s use of the individual’s own personal residence, including a community room associated with the individual’s residence, to conduct a reception for a candidate or political committee and the individual’s cost of invitations, food and beverages provided at the reception.

(3) A vendor’s sale of food and beverages for use in a candidate’s or political committee’s campaign at a charge less than the normal comparable charge, if the charge is at least equal to the cost of the food or beverages to the vendor.

(4) Any unreimbursed payment for travel expenses an individual, including a candidate, makes on behalf of a candidate or political committee.

(5) Any loan of money made by a financial institution as defined in ORS 706.008, other than any overdraft made with respect to a checking or savings account, if the loan bears the usual and customary interest rate for the category of loan involved, is made on a basis that ensures repayment, is evidenced by a written instrument and is subject to a due date or amortization schedule. However, each indorser or guarantor of the loan shall be considered to have contributed that portion of the total amount of the loan for which that person agreed to be liable in a written agreement, except if the indorser or guarantor is the candidate’s spouse.

(6) Nonpartisan activity designed to encourage individuals to vote or to register to vote.

(7) Any communication a membership organization or corporation makes to its members, shareholders or employees if the membership organization or corporation is not organized primarily for the purpose of influencing an election.

(8) The payment of compensation for legal and accounting services rendered to a candidate or political committee if the person paying for the services is the regular employer of the individual rendering the services and the services are solely for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

(9) The payment by a state or local committee of a political party of the costs of preparation, display or mailing or other distribution incurred by the committee with respect to a printed slate card or sample ballot, or other printed listing, of three or more candidates for any public office for which an election is held in this state. This subsection does not apply to costs incurred by the committee with respect to a display of any such listing made on broadcasting stations or in newspapers, magazines or similar types of general public political advertising. [1995 c.1 §2; 1997 c.631 §429; 1999 c.999 §2; 2005 c.797 §2; 2007 c.71 §79]

Note: Sections 1 and 2, chapter 702, Oregon Laws 2015, provide:

Sec. 1. Task Force on Campaign Finance Reform. (1) The Task Force on Campaign Finance Reform is established, consisting of 17 members as follows:

(a) The Secretary of State shall appoint:

(A) Five members to represent the interests of political parties in Oregon, with at least one member representing each of the major political parties in Oregon.

(B) Two members to represent the interests of electors who are not affiliated with any political party.

(C) One member to represent the interests of the League of Women Voters of Oregon.

(D) One member to represent the interests of organizations that focus on campaign finance reform.

(E) One member to represent the interests of nonprofit organizations.

(F) One member to represent the interests of for-profit organizations.

(G) One member to represent the interests of nonprofit organizations that focus on voter registration.

(b) The Secretary of State shall serve as a member of the task force.

(c) The President of the Senate shall appoint two members from among members of the Senate, one of whom is a Democrat and one of whom is a Republican.

(d) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint two members from among members of the House of Representatives, one of whom is a Democrat and one of whom is a Republican.

(2) The task force shall conduct an analysis and determine the best method or methods to address campaign finance reforms.

(3) A majority of the members of the task force constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

(4) Official action by the task force requires the approval of a majority of the members of the task force.

(5) The Secretary of State shall serve as chairperson of the task force.

(6) If there is a vacancy for any cause, the appointing authority shall make an appointment to become immediately effective.

(7) The task force shall meet at times and places specified by the call of the chairperson or of a majority of the members of the task force.

(8) The task force may adopt rules necessary for the operation of the task force.

(9) The task force shall submit a report in the manner provided by ORS 192.245, and may include recommendations for legislation, to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to rules no later than December 31, 2015.

(10) The staff of the Committee Services Office of the Legislative Administration Committee shall provide staff support to the task force.

(11) Members of the task force who are not members of the Legislative Assembly are not entitled to compensation, but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary travel and other expenses incurred by them in the performance of their official duties in the manner and amounts provided for in ORS 292.495. Claims for expenses incurred in performing functions of the task force shall be paid out of funds appropriated to the Legislative Assembly for purposes of the task force.

(12) All agencies of state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, are directed to assist the task force in the performance of its duties and, to the extent permitted by laws relating to confidentiality, to furnish such information and advice as the members of the task force consider necessary to perform their duties. [2015 c.702 §1]

Sec. 2. Section 1 of this 2015 Act is repealed on July 2, 2017.

[2015 c.702 §2]