Sponsored by Representative SCHRADER; Representatives EDWARDS, KAFOURY


                             SUMMARY

The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.

  Provides civil immunity for statements made by person in course
of participating in administrative, quasi-judicial or legislative
proceeding conducted by public body.

                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to liability.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + (1) Except as provided in this section, a
person is not civilly liable for any statement made by the person
in the course of participating in an administrative,
quasi-judicial or legislative proceeding conducted by a public
body, as defined in ORS 30.260. Statements protected under this
section include, but are not limited to, statements made for the
purpose of influencing governmental decisions or informing
government officials or employees on issues being considered by a
public body, as defined in ORS 30.260.
  (2) The immunity conveyed by this section:
  (a) Does not apply in any action brought by a public body for
the purpose of enforcing the laws of this state; and
  (b) Does not apply to statements that are subject to ORS
171.530.
  (3) This section does not limit any other immunity or defense
under common or statutory law that may be available to a
defendant in a civil action based on statements made by the
defendant.
  (4) The court shall award reasonable attorney fees, costs and
all other reasonable expenses, including expert witness expenses,
incurred by a defendant who prevails in a civil action by reason
of the immunity conveyed by this section. The court may award
punitive damages to a defendant who prevails in a civil action by
reason of the immunity conveyed by this section. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + The immunity conveyed by section 1 of this 1999
Act applies only to statements made on or after the effective
date of this 1999 Act. + }