In the dust of the end of the 2023 Legislative Session, a resolution to send an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to allow for impeachment of Statewide Elected officials has passed both chambers. Currently, they may only be removed from office through recall, a very difficult process. Oregon is the only state without any impeachment process.

The Resolution -- sponsored by Representative Jami Cate (R-Lebanon) -- proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to give the House of Representatives the power of impeachment for statewide elected officials of Executive Branch for malfeasance or corrupt conduct in office, willful neglect of statutory or constitutional duty, or other felony or high crime, and the Senate the power to try any impeachment received from House. Requires two-thirds majority vote of House to deliver impeachment resolution to Senate and two-thirds majority vote of Senate for conviction.

It allows Chief Justice to preside in the Senate impeachment trial and limits judgment to removal from office and disqualification from holding any other public office in state. It allows Legislative Assembly to convene to exercise its impeachment powers.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

The text of the amendment, which voters should see on the November 2024 ballot, will be:

SECTION 34. (1) The House of Representatives shall have the power of impeachment of statewide elected officials of the Executive Branch for malfeasance or corrupt conduct in office, willful neglect of statutory or constitutional duty or other felony or high crime. The House of Representatives may deliver a resolution of impeachment to the Senate only upon the concurrence of at least two-thirds of all Representatives.
(2) The Senate shall have the power to try any impeachment received from the House of Representatives. When sitting for the purpose of trying an impeachment, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall preside and Senators shall swear or affirm to do justice according to law and evidence. A person may not be convicted under this section without the concurrence of at least two-thirds of all Senators.
(3) Judgment shall extend only to removal from office and disqualification from holding any other public office in this state. Any person convicted or acquitted under this section remains subject to any criminal prosecution or civil liability according to law.
(4) Section 10a of this Article may be invoked for the purpose of exercising the power of impeachment under this section.

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-06-29 13:35:49

Last Update: 2023-06-29 22:38:29