HB 3213
Requires that public university foundations are subject to the public records laws of this state.
Jurisdiction
Oregon
Session
2025 Regular Session
Committee
Higher Education and Workforce Development
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
61%
Oppose
39%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill requires public university foundations to be subject to the same public records laws as other public bodies in Oregon. It mandates that these foundations release an annual report detailing their expenses and operations on their website. The bill also specifies records that are exempt from disclosure, such as donor information and fundraising strategies, while ensuring transparency regarding donations and financial activities.
Key provisions
- Public university foundations must comply with Oregon’s public records laws.
- Foundations must release an annual report on their website detailing expenses and operations.
- Certain donor information (identity, financial details) is exempt from disclosure.
- Records related to fundraising plans and strategies are exempt.
- The bill defines ‘public university foundation’ and outlines its requirements.
- Annual reports must include details on scholarship funding, faculty compensation, and program costs.
- Contracts, subsidiaries, and employee information must be disclosed.
- Specific records related to audits, investments, and sensitive business information are exempt.
Who is affected
- Public university foundations
- Donors to public universities
- Students at public universities
- University faculty and staff
- The public
Notable changes
- Previously, public university foundations were not subject to public records laws.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Hoa Nguyen
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of increased transparency in university foundations emphasize the importance of maintaining trust within the community by providing clear information about university finances. They argue that Oregon's public university endowments are restricted by secret donor-imposed conditions, limiting their use, and advocate for HB 3213 to ensure accountability and promote fairness in resource management. The proposed legislation aims to provide a clearer picture of the financial condition of these institutions, addressing concerns about budget cuts, rising tuition, and the struggles faced by students, staff, and faculty. By increasing transparency, supporters believe that donors will be more confident and philanthropic, while also ensuring that public university foundations adhere to the same standards as public institutions and hold the public's trust.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
concerns that House Bill 3213 would impose unnecessary administrative burdens on nonprofits in Oregon, including tens of thousands of dollars in reporting and compliance costs. They argue that the legislation creates a double standard for nonprofit organizations and would undermine trust between donors and foundations, potentially deterring giving to public universities. Additionally, the bill's proposed treatment of university foundations as public entities is not supported by facts and would divert donor resources away from student scholarships and academic programs. Furthermore, they emphasize that donor privacy protections would be compromised, and existing professional standards would be eroded, with no new incentives for donors or mechanisms to address budget challenges.