2021 Oregon Revised Statutes
Chapter 260 - Campaign Finance Regulation; Election Offenses
Section 260.007 - Exclusions from definitions of "contribution" and "expenditure."


(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, including but not limited to activity that is allowed for a not-for-profit corporation that is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(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.
(10) A candidate debate or forum for a state office, or a communication publicizing a candidate debate or forum for a state office, when all major political party candidates for the state office have been invited to participate in the candidate debate or forum.
(11) The following nonpartisan communications that refer to a candidate or political party within 30 calendar days before a primary election or 60 calendar days before a general election:
(a) The publication of a nonpartisan voters’ guide that:
(A) Is permitted to be published by a not-for-profit corporation that is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; or
(B) With respect to each state office referenced in the voters’ guide:
(i) Includes information from all major political party candidates for the state office referenced; or
(ii) Offers all major political party candidates for the state office referenced a reasonable opportunity to be included in the voters’ guide.
(b) A commercial communication that depicts a candidate’s name, image, likeness or voice only in the candidate’s capacity as owner, operator or employee of a business that existed prior to the candidate’s declaration of candidacy.
(c) Official publications produced or distributed by public employees while on the job during working hours.
(d) A communication by a labor union, membership organization or corporation to its members, stockholders or executive or administrative personnel.
(e) Any other nonpartisan communication identified by the Secretary of State by rule. [1995 c.1 §2; 1997 c.631 §429; 1999 c.999 §2; 2005 c.797 §2; 2007 c.71 §79; 2017 c.419 §2]

Structure 2021 Oregon Revised Statutes

2021 Oregon Revised Statutes

Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections

Chapter 260 - Campaign Finance Regulation; Election Offenses

Section 260.005 - Definitions.

Section 260.007 - Exclusions from definitions of "contribution" and "expenditure."

Section 260.011 - Prohibition on using cryptocurrency to make contribution.

Section 260.035 - Treasurer and statement of organization for political committees and candidates; change in information.

Section 260.037 - Liability of candidate or treasurer for default or violation of treasurer obligations.

Section 260.038 - Treasurer of more than one candidate or committee; replacement of treasurer.

Section 260.039 - Content of statement of organization of candidate or principal campaign committee.

Section 260.041 - Principal campaign committee.

Section 260.042 - Content of statement of organization of political committee.

Section 260.043 - Exemptions for candidate who expects neither contributions nor expenditures to exceed $750 or $3,500; exemptions.

Section 260.044 - Statement of independent expenditures; when person considered political committee or principal campaign committee; electronic filing; time frames; rules.

Section 260.046 - Discontinuance of statement of organization; rules.

Section 260.049 - Reports to be filed by certain corporations; rules.

Section 260.054 - Political committee campaign account; petition committee petition account.

Section 260.055 - Accounts of contributions and expenditures; inspection; preservation.

Section 260.056 - Written loan agreements.

Section 260.057 - Electronic campaign finance filing system; schedule for filing; Internet availability; exclusions; rules.

Section 260.064 - In-kind contribution from candidate, political committee or petition committee; insufficient filing; updated information.

Section 260.076 - Statements of contributions received during session of Legislative Assembly.

Section 260.083 - Contents of statements.

Section 260.085 - Listing of occupation of contributor; procedure when occupation is unknown.

Section 260.095 - Reporting expenditures that are both in-kind contributions and expenditures; notice to candidate or committee; process; rules.

Section 260.112 - Filing of certificate by candidate or treasurer of political committee or petition committee who expects neither contributions nor expenditures to exceed $3,500; schedule.

Section 260.118 - Treasurer and statement of organization of petition committee; filing electronic statements of contributions and expenditures; schedule; rules.

Section 260.156 - Rules for reporting expenditures and contributions.

Section 260.163 - County or city campaign finance provisions.

Section 260.200 - Secretary of State rules for accounts, forms, material to be retained and material not subject to disclosure.

Section 260.205 - Inspection of statements; notice of failure to file correct statements; complaints; sufficiency of response.

Section 260.215 - Periodic examination and investigation of statements.

Section 260.218 - Subpoena authority.

Section 260.225 - Court proceedings to compel filing of correct statements; attorney fees.

Section 260.232 - Civil penalty for failure to file statement or to include required information; notice.

Section 260.234 - Notice of civil penalty; sufficiency of response; timeline for action by filing officer.

Section 260.241 - Removal from general election ballot for failure to file statement; notice to candidate.

Section 260.255 - Preservation of filed statements by filing officers; maintenance of data filed electronically; State Archivist rules.

Section 260.262 - Accounts of chief petitioners; review and inspection; retention; disclosure as public record; rules.

Section 260.266 - Statement of persons who paid for communication in support of or in opposition to clearly identified candidate; requirements; rules.

Section 260.275 - Definitions for ORS 260.275 to 260.285.

Section 260.281 - Donor identification lists; contents; updates; rules.

Section 260.285 - Civil penalty for failure to file donor identification list or to include required information; notice; rules.

Section 260.315 - Distribution of copies of law.

Section 260.345 - Complaints or other information regarding violations; action by Secretary of State and Attorney General.

Section 260.365 - Election or appointment after deprivation of nomination or office for violation.

Section 260.402 - Contributions in false name.

Section 260.407 - Use of contributed amounts for certain purposes.

Section 260.413 - Prohibition on committee providing consideration in connection with nondisclosure agreement relating to workplace harassment.

Section 260.432 - Solicitation of public employees; activities of public employees during working hours; recognized student government exception.

Section 260.532 - False publication relating to candidate or measure; civil action; damages; other remedies; limitation on action.

Section 260.537 - False publication intended to mislead electors; civil action; penalties.

Section 260.550 - Use of term "incumbent."

Section 260.555 - Prohibitions relating to circulation, filing or certification of initiative, referendum or recall petition.

Section 260.556 - Secretary of State prohibited from counting petition signatures obtained by certain persons.

Section 260.558 - Payment for signing or not signing initiative, referendum or recall petition; sale or purchase of signature sheets.

Section 260.561 - Liability of certain chief petitioners for violations committed by persons obtaining signatures on petition; exceptions.

Section 260.563 - Liability of contractor obtaining signatures on petition for violations committed by subcontractor; exceptions.

Section 260.567 - Alteration of information on petition signature sheet; exceptions.

Section 260.569 - Payment based on signatures obtained on nominating petition or voter registration card.

Section 260.575 - Use of threats and intimidation for purpose of extorting money.

Section 260.635 - Bets and wagers on election results.

Section 260.645 - Illegal acts relating to voting machines or vote tally systems.

Section 260.665 - Undue influence to affect registration, voting, candidacy, signing petitions; solicitation of money or other benefits.

Section 260.675 - Prohibited distribution of ballots.

Section 260.695 - Prohibitions relating to voting.

Section 260.715 - Prohibited conduct.

Section 260.993 - Criminal penalties.

Section 260.995 - Civil penalties.