Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 180 - OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS ADVOCATE
Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Chapter 180 is designated for the Office of the Public Records Advocate. However, it's important to note that when you look up this chapter on official sources like Justia or Cornell's Legal Information Institute, it often states "There are no rules to display."
This doesn't mean the office doesn't exist or doesn't have a purpose. Instead, it indicates that the specific administrative rules (the detailed regulations governing its internal operations and procedures) for the Office of the Public Records Advocate may not be codified under this specific OAR chapter, or they might be minimal and referenced elsewhere. The enabling statutes for the Office of the Public Records Advocate are found in the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS), primarily within ORS Chapter 192, which deals with Records; Public Reports and Meetings.
Purpose and Duties of the Oregon Office of the Public Records Advocate
Despite the lack of detailed OARs in Chapter 180, the Office of the Public Records Advocate (OPRA) plays a crucial role in Oregon's public records law. Its mission is to promote government transparency by:
Providing Education and Training: Offering training to public employees and the public on the requirements and best practices under Oregon's public records law.
Facilitated Dispute Resolution Services: Offering mediation and dispute resolution services when requested by individuals seeking public records from state agencies or by state agencies themselves, particularly in cases of denied access, fee disputes, or high fee estimates. The Advocate can also facilitate disputes involving cities if both parties agree.
Guidance and Advice: Providing guidance and advice on public records law upon request.
Supporting the Public Records Advisory Council (PRAC): The Public Records Advocate serves as a voting member and executive director of the PRAC. The PRAC is a bipartisan council of public records experts that examines, vets, and proposes reforms to law, policy, and practice to enhance fairness, efficiency, and transparency for both requesters and custodians of public records. The Public Records Advocate is appointed by this Council.
Essentially, the OPRA acts as a neutral party to help resolve disagreements between the public and government agencies regarding public records requests, and to educate all parties on their rights and responsibilities under Oregon's public records laws. It was established to improve accessibility and transparency in government.
RELATED Blog
0 comments