OAALJ BOARD MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 6, 1999
The meeting was called to order on December 6,1999, 6:10, p.m. by President Rutherford. The following Board Members were in attendance: Abigail Herman, Lynne Wehrlie, Daina Upite, Steve Rissberger, Bruce Black, and Erika Hadlock. Also in attendance for part of the meeting (7:05 p.m. to 7:40 p.m.) was Tom Ewing, Chief Hearings Officer of the Central Panel. During the meeting the following topics/issues were discussed/decided.
1. The Board reviewed, considered, and voted upon recommended changes by the membership to the Code of Conduct for Oregon Administrative Law Judges as presented at the Annual Meeting held November 18, 1999. The following reflects the action taken on each recommendation:
1-101(A) Tom Ewing proposed the addition of the following new sentence to be placed at the end of the paragraph: "Public confidence is promoted when an ALJ conducts hearings in a dignified and respectful manner, and arrives at decisions in which facts have been found fairly and the law has been applied accurately." Motion was made, seconded, and passed without opposition.
1-101(C) It was determined the sub-section would remain as proposed by the Ethics Committee. Motion was made, seconded, and passed without opposition.
1-101 (F) It was determined the sub-section would remain as proposed by the Ethics Committee. Motion was made, seconded, and passed without opposition.
1-101(G) Given the controversial nature, it was decided the sub-section would be deleted in total subject to further consideration at a later date. Motion was made and seconded, and passed with opposition. In favor were Members Hadlock, Rissberger, Upite, and Herman; opposed were Members Rutherford and Black; abstaining was Member Wehrlie.
2-102(A) This sub-section is deleted and replaced with the following language:
"An ALJ shall provided to all parties or participants in a proceeding, and to their legal representatives, the right to be heard according to law." Motion was made, seconded, and passed without opposition.
2-102(C) It was determined the sub-section would remain as proposed by the Ethics Committee. Motion was made, seconded, and passed without opposition.
2-102(D) It was determined the sub-section would remain as proposed by the Ethics Committee. Motion was made, seconded, and passed without opposition.
2-102(E) The word "were" is deleted and replaced with the word "where."
2-104(A)(3) It was determined the sub-section would remain as proposed by the Ethics Committee. Motion was made, seconded, and passed without opposition.
2-104(B) The letter "A" is inserted prior to the numbers (3) and (4). All references to "Administrative Law Judge" are deleted and replaced with "ALJ"
3-101 It was determined the sub-section would remain as proposed by the Ethics Committee. Motion was made, seconded, and passed without opposition.
3-104 The phrase "nor a member of the family" is deleted and replaced with the phrase "the ALJ's spouse, or any other person residing in the ALJ's household."
In light of the above additions, deletions, and modifications; the motion was made, seconded and passed to adopt the Code on behalf of the membership.
2. Upon vote of the Board the following officers were elected:
President: Charlotte Rutherford
Vice President: Steve Rissberger
Treasurer: Daina Upite
Secretary: Erika Hadlock
3. It was further decided the following individuals would chair/co-chair selected committees:
Membership: Steve Rissberger and Daina Upite
Education: Lynne Wehrlie and Abbie Herman
Legislation (to include administrative rules): Bruce Black
Communications (to include publication of newsletter): Erika Hadlock and Bruce Black
Ethics: Steve Rissberger
4. It was agreed the membership would be provided a "reminder" letters with respect to the payment of annual dues.
5. The next meeting was set for January 27, 2000 at 6:00 p.m. Location to be at the Phoenix Inn in Wilsonville.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Abigail Herman