SALEM, Ore. – Today, the Oregon Senate passed House Joint Resolution 16 A, which will put before Oregon voters a constitutional amendment giving the Legislature the power to impeach statewide elected officials. It passed unanimously.
“The demand from Oregonians for greater oversight and accountability is at an all-time high. It is not only the Legislature’s responsibility to enact robust budgets and sound policy, but to act as the People’s voice for accountability. As the only state in the nation without this check on its Executive Branch, it is long past time we do this,” said Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend), who co-carried the resolution on the Senate floor.
“Oregonians agree that elected officials should be accountable to the people. No one is above the law, and if public servants in the Executive Branch are neglecting their constitutional duties or committing crimes, the people should be able to remove them from office,” said Senate Democratic Leader Kate Lieber (D-Beaverton & SW Portland), who co-carried the resolution on the Senate floor.
The proposed amendment gives the Oregon House of Representatives the power of impeachment for statewide elected officials or Executive Branch for “malfeasance or corrupt conduct in office, willful neglect of statutory or constitutional duty, or other felony or high crime.” It gives the Oregon Senate the power to try any impeachment received from the House.
If signed into law, HJR 16 will appear on the ballot during the 2024 General Election on November 5th, 2024. The resolution now awaits a signature from the Governor.
###
Oregon Senate Republican Office | Ashley.Kuenzi@oregonlegislature.gov
Oregon Senate Democratic Office | Tess.Seger@oregonlegislature.gov
