Establishes the Secretary of State as the chief civics officer of this state and establishes the Division of Civic Engagement within the Secretary of State office. Directs the division to establish civics education in public schools and develop programs and outreach for adults to enhance civic engagement. Establishes the Civics Action Benchmarks Task Force to study and make recommendations on the steps to be taken to enhance the participation of Oregonians in civic affairs.
Establishes the Commission on Political Rhetoric. Directs the commission to receive complaints alleging that a candidate for public office has made false statements with purposeful malice or reckless intent. Provides that if a supermajority of the commission determines that the subject of a complaint made false statements with purposeful malice or reckless intent, the voters' pamphlet and other publications containing the candidate's statements must also contain a warning statement specified by the Act. Appropriates moneys to the Secretary of State and Commission on Political Rhetoric to fund the programs established in the Act. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.
No hearings or votes scheduled.