General Provisions
Incorporation
Purposes and Powers
Name
Office and Agent
Members and Memberships
Membership Meetings and Voting
Corporate Actions
Directors and Officers
Amendment of Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
Merger
Sale of Assets
Distributions
Dissolution
Foreign Corporations
Records and Reports
Transfer of Assets of Hospital
Miscellaneous
Penalties

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Terms Used In Oregon Statutes > Chapter 65 - Nonprofit Corporations

  • Acquittal:
    1. Judgement that a criminal defendant has not been proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
    2. A verdict of "not guilty."
     
  • Action: means any proceeding commenced in a court in which the court may render a judgment. See Oregon Statutes 18.005
  • Adjourn: A motion to adjourn a legislative chamber or a committee, if passed, ends that day's session.
  • Adjournment sine die: The end of a legislative session "without day." These adjournments are used to indicate the final adjournment of an annual or the two-year session of legislature.
  • Advice and consent: Under the Constitution, presidential nominations for executive and judicial posts take effect only when confirmed by the Senate, and international treaties become effective only when the Senate approves them by a two-thirds vote.
  • Affirmed: In the practice of the appellate courts, the decree or order is declared valid and will stand as rendered in the lower court.
  • Agent: means any person who has:

    (A) Actual oral or written authority, either express or implied, to make or to authorize the making of expenditures on behalf of a candidate or on behalf of a political committee supporting or opposing a measure; or

    (B) Been placed in a position within the campaign organization where it would reasonably appear that in the ordinary course of campaign-related activities the person may authorize expenditures. See Oregon Statutes 260.005

  • Allegation: something that someone says happened.
  • Amortization: Paying off a loan by regular installments.
  • Anniversary: means February 28 if an event occurs that would otherwise cause an anniversary to fall on February 29. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Annuity: A periodic (usually annual) payment of a fixed sum of money for either the life of the recipient or for a fixed number of years. A series of payments under a contract from an insurance company, a trust company, or an individual. Annuity payments are made at regular intervals over a period of more than one full year.
  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Any other state: includes any state and the District of Columbia. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
  • Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
  • Appraisal: A determination of property value.
  • Appropriate advisory board: means the advisory board that has jurisdiction over a particular code, standard, license, certification or matter. See Oregon Statutes 455.010
  • Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
  • approval by the members: means approved or ratified by members entitled to vote on an issue through either:

    (a) The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes of the members represented and voting at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present or the affirmative vote of a greater proportion including the votes of any required proportion of the members of any class as the articles of incorporation, bylaws or this chapter may provide for specified types of member action; or

    (b) A written ballot or written consent in conformity with this chapter. See Oregon Statutes 65.001

  • Arraignment: A proceeding in which an individual who is accused of committing a crime is brought into court, told of the charges, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty.
  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Articles of incorporation: means the articles of incorporation described in ORS § 65. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Articles of merger: means the articles of merger described in ORS § 65. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
  • Attachment: A procedure by which a person's property is seized to pay judgments levied by the court.
  • Attorney-in-fact: A person who, acting as an agent, is given written authorization by another person to transact business for him (her) out of court.
  • Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
  • ballot: includes material posted in a voting compartment or delivered to an elector by mail. See Oregon Statutes 254.005
  • Bankruptcy: Refers to statutes and judicial proceedings involving persons or businesses that cannot pay their debts and seek the assistance of the court in getting a fresh start. Under the protection of the bankruptcy court, debtors may discharge their debts, perhaps by paying a portion of each debt. Bankruptcy judges preside over these proceedings.
  • Baseline: Projection of the receipts, outlays, and other budget amounts that would ensue in the future without any change in existing policy. Baseline projections are used to gauge the extent to which proposed legislation, if enacted into law, would alter current spending and revenue levels.
  • Beneficiary: A person who is entitled to receive the benefits or proceeds of a will, trust, insurance policy, retirement plan, annuity, or other contract. Source: OCC
  • Bequest: Property gifted by will.
  • Best interest: means that:

    (a) The individual is physically capable of procreating;

    (b) The individual is likely to engage in sexual activity at the present or in the near future under circumstances likely to result in pregnancy;

    (c) All less drastic alternative contraceptive methods, including supervision, education and training, have proved unworkable or inapplicable, or are medically contraindicated;

    (d) The proposed method of sterilization conforms with standard medical practice, is the least intrusive method available and appropriate, and can be carried out without unreasonable risk to the life and health of the individual; and

    (e) The nature and extent of the individual's disability, as determined by empirical evidence and not solely on the basis of standardized tests, renders the individual permanently incapable of caring for and raising a child, even with reasonable assistance. See Oregon Statutes 436.205

  • Board: means the State Land Board. See Oregon Statutes 273.006
  • Board of directors: means the individual or individuals who are vested with overall management of the affairs of a domestic corporation or foreign corporation, irrespective of the name that designates the individual or individuals. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Bond: means a contractual undertaking or an instrument to borrow money including, but not limited to, a bond, a note, an obligation, a loan agreement, a financing lease, a financing agreement or other similar instrument or agreement. See Oregon Statutes 367.010
  • Bylaws: means a set of provisions for managing and regulating a corporation's affairs that the corporation must adopt under ORS § 65. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Candidate: means an individual whose name is or is expected to be printed on the official ballot or a write-in candidate. See Oregon Statutes 249.002
  • Capital offense: A crime punishable by death.
  • Caucus: From the Algonquian Indian language, a caucus meant "to meet together." An informal organization of members of the legislature that exists to discuss issues of mutual concern and possibly to perform legislative research and policy planning for its members. There are regional, political or ideological, ethnic, and economic-based caucuses.
  • Chambers: A judge's office.
  • Charity: An agency, institution, or organization in existence and operating for the benefit of an indefinite number of persons and conducted for educational, religious, scientific, medical, or other beneficent purposes.
  • Charter guide: means an individual who:

    (a) Carries passengers for hire for outdoor recreational activities on the waters of the Pacific Ocean over which the State of Oregon has jurisdiction;

    (b) Carries passengers for hire for outdoor recreational activities on the waters of the Columbia River below the Astoria-Megler Bridge downstream to the waters of the Pacific Ocean; and

    (c) Possesses a valid United States Coast Guard operator license. See Oregon Statutes 704.010

  • Chief judge: The judge who has primary responsibility for the administration of a court but also decides cases; chief judges are determined by seniority.
  • City: includes any incorporated village or town. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
  • Civil action: means any action that is not a criminal action. See Oregon Statutes 18.005
  • Class: means a group of memberships that have the same rights, including rights that are determined by a formula that is applied uniformly, with respect to voting, dissolution, redemption and transfer. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Clerk of court: An officer appointed by the court to work with the chief judge in overseeing the court's administration, especially to assist in managing the flow of cases through the court and to maintain court records.
  • Clerk of court: means the trial court administrator or any other nonjudicial officer or employee of the circuit court for a county authorized by the presiding judge for the judicial district. See Oregon Statutes 10.010
  • Committee director: means any person who directly and substantially participates in decision-making on behalf of a political committee concerning the solicitation or expenditure of funds and the support of or opposition to candidates or measures. See Oregon Statutes 260.005
  • Committee membership: Legislators are assigned to specific committees by their party. Seniority, regional balance, and political philosophy are the most prominent factors in the committee assignment process.
  • Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Condemner: means the state, any city, county, school district, municipal or public corporation, political subdivision or any instrumentality or any agency thereof or a private corporation that has the power to exercise the right of eminent domain. See Oregon Statutes 35.215
  • Contact information: means a street address, a mailing address or an electronic address at which a member or director elects to receive notices and other messages from the corporation. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Continuance: Putting off of a hearing ot trial until a later time.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Controlled committee: means a political committee that, in connection with the making of contributions or expenditures:

    (a) Is controlled directly or indirectly by a candidate or a controlled committee; or

    (b) Acts jointly with a candidate or controlled committee. See Oregon Statutes 260.005

  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Corporation: means a domestic corporation or a foreign corporation. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Counterclaim: A claim that a defendant makes against a plaintiff.
  • County clerk: means the county clerk or the county official in charge of elections. See Oregon Statutes 249.002
  • County clerk: means the county clerk or the county official in charge of elections. See Oregon Statutes 254.005
  • County clerk: means the county clerk or the county official in charge of elections. See Oregon Statutes 260.005
  • County court: includes board of county commissioners. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
  • County recording officer: means the county clerk or other county officer carrying out ORS § 205. See Oregon Statutes 273.006
  • Court administrator: means a trial court administrator in a circuit court that has a trial court administrator and the clerk of the court in all other courts. See Oregon Statutes 18.005
  • Credit enhancement: means a credit enhancement device, as defined in ORS § 286A. See Oregon Statutes 367.010
  • Criminal action: has the meaning given in ORS § 131. See Oregon Statutes 18.005
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Decedent: A deceased person.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Defense attorney: Represent defendants in criminal matters.
  • Delegate: means a person who is elected or appointed to vote in a representative assembly for electing a director or directors or on other matters. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Deliver: means to transfer by any method of delivery used in conventional commercial practice, including delivery by hand, mail, commercial delivery and electronic transmission. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Department: means the Department of State Lands. See Oregon Statutes 273.006
  • Department: means the Department of State Lands. See Oregon Statutes 274.005
  • Department: means the Oregon Department of Administrative Services. See Oregon Statutes 276.001
  • Department: means the Department of Consumer and Business Services. See Oregon Statutes 455.010
  • Department: means the Department of Consumer and Business Services. See Oregon Statutes 705.010
  • Deposition: An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in trial.
  • Designated director: means a director that the articles of incorporation or the bylaws designate as a director in a manner that identifies a specific individual or a group of individuals. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Devise: To gift property by will.
  • Director: means the Director of the Department of State Lands. See Oregon Statutes 273.006
  • Director: means the Director of the Department of State Lands. See Oregon Statutes 274.005
  • Director: means the Director of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services. See Oregon Statutes 276.001
  • Director: means an individual who acts as a member of the board of directors, who has a right to vote on questions concerning the management and regulation of a corporation's affairs and who is:

    (a) An appointed director;

    (b) A designated director; or

    (c) A director elected by the incorporators, directors or members. See Oregon Statutes 65.001

  • Director: means the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. See Oregon Statutes 455.010
  • Director: means the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. See Oregon Statutes 705.010
  • Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • Distribution: means a payment to a person from the income or assets of a corporation, other than a payment of reasonable value to a person for property received or services performed or a payment that furthers the corporation's purposes. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • district: means any one of the following:

    (1) A people's utility district organized under ORS Chapter 261. See Oregon Statutes 198.010

  • Docket: A log containing brief entries of court proceedings.
  • Domestic business corporation: means a for profit corporation that is incorporated under ORS Chapter 60. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Domestic corporation: means a nonprofit corporation that is not a foreign corporation and that is incorporated under or subject to the provisions of this chapter. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Domestic limited liability company: means an unincorporated association that has one or more members and that is organized under ORS Chapter 63. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Domestic professional corporation: means a corporation that is organized under ORS Chapter 58 for the purpose of rendering professional services and for the purposes provided under ORS Chapter 58. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Donee: The recipient of a gift.
  • Elector: means an individual qualified to vote under Article II, section 2, Oregon Constitution. See Oregon Statutes 249.002
  • Elector: means an individual qualified to vote under section 2, Article II, Oregon Constitution. See Oregon Statutes 254.005
  • Elector: means an individual qualified to vote under Article II, section 2, of the Oregon Constitution. See Oregon Statutes 260.005
  • Electronic funds transfer: The transfer of money between accounts by consumer electronic systems-such as automated teller machines (ATMs) and electronic payment of bills-rather than by check or cash. (Wire transfers, checks, drafts, and paper instruments do not fall into this category.) Source: OCC
  • Embezzlement: In most states, embezzlement is defined as theft/larceny of assets (money or property) by a person in a position of trust or responsibility over those assets. Embezzlement typically occurs in the employment and corporate settings. Source: OCC
  • Employee: means an individual who, in exchange for compensation or monetary gain, provides outfitting and guiding services under the direction, supervision and control of an outfitter and guide or a charter guide. See Oregon Statutes 704.010
  • Employee: means an individual that a corporation employs, including an officer or director whom the corporation employs with compensation for services beyond the services of board membership. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Entitlement: A Federal program or provision of law that requires payments to any person or unit of government that meets the eligibility criteria established by law. Entitlements constitute a binding obligation on the part of the Federal Government, and eligible recipients have legal recourse if the obligation is not fulfilled. Social Security and veterans' compensation and pensions are examples of entitlement programs.
  • Entity: means a domestic corporation, foreign corporation, business corporation and foreign business corporation, profit and nonprofit unincorporated association, corporation sole, business trust, partnership, two or more persons that have a joint or common economic interest, any state, the United States, a federally recognized Native American or American Indian tribal government and any foreign government. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Escheat: Reversion of real or personal property to the state when 1) a person dies without leaving a will and has no heirs, or 2) when the property (such as a bank account) has been inactive for a certain period of time. Source: OCC
  • Escrow: Money given to a third party to be held for payment until certain conditions are met.
  • Ex officio: Literally, by virtue of one's office.
  • executive department: means all statewide elected officers other than judges, and all boards, commissions, departments, divisions and other entities, without regard to the designation given to those entities, that are within the executive branch of government as described in Article III, section 1, of the Oregon Constitution, and that are not:

    (a) In the judicial department or the legislative department;

    (b) Local governments; or

    (c) Special government bodies. See Oregon Statutes 174.112

  • Executive session: A portion of the Senate's daily session in which it considers executive business.
  • Executor: A male person named in a will to carry out the decedent
  • Exhibits: means exhibits offered and received or rejected in the trial court. See Oregon Statutes 19.005
  • expenditure: includes the payment or furnishing of money or anything of value or the incurring or repayment of indebtedness or obligation by or on behalf of a candidate, political committee or person in consideration for any services, supplies, equipment or other thing of value performed or furnished for any reason, including support of or opposition to a candidate, political committee or measure, or for reducing the debt of a candidate for nomination or election to public office. See Oregon Statutes 260.005
  • Extradition: The formal process of delivering an accused or convicted person from authorities in one state to authorities in another state.
  • Fair market value: The price at which an asset would change hands in a transaction between a willing, informed buyer and a willing, informed seller.
  • Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation: A government corporation that insures the deposits of all national and state banks that are members of the Federal Reserve System. Source: OCC
  • Federal question: Jurisdiction given to federal courts in cases involving the interpretation and application of the U.S. Constitution, acts of Congress, and treaties.
  • Federal Reserve System: The central bank of the United States. The Fed, as it is commonly called, regulates the U.S. monetary and financial system. The Federal Reserve System is composed of a central governmental agency in Washington, D.C. (the Board of Governors) and twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks in major cities throughout the United States. Source: OCC
  • Fee simple: Absolute title to property with no limitations or restrictions regarding the person who may inherit it.
  • Fiduciary: A trustee, executor, or administrator.
  • Financial institution: means any person lawfully conducting business as:

    (a) A financial institution or trust company, as those terms are defined in ORS § 706. See Oregon Statutes 131A.005

  • Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
  • Foreclosure: A legal process in which property that is collateral or security for a loan may be sold to help repay the loan when the loan is in default. Source: OCC
  • Foreign business corporation: means a for profit corporation that is incorporated under laws other than the laws of the state. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Foreign corporation: means a corporation that is organized under laws other than the laws of the state and that would be a nonprofit corporation if organized under the laws of the state. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Foreign limited liability company: means an unincorporated association that is organized under laws other than the laws of the state and under a statute that permits an entity to organize and that affords to each of the entity's members limited liability with respect to liabilities of the entity. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Foreign professional corporation: means a professional corporation that is organized under laws other than the laws of the state. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Forfeiting agency: means a public body that is seeking forfeiture of property under this chapter. See Oregon Statutes 131A.005
  • Forfeiture counsel: means an attorney designated by a forfeiting agency to represent the forfeiting agency in forfeiture proceedings. See Oregon Statutes 131A.005
  • Forgery: The fraudulent signing or alteration of another's name to an instrument such as a deed, mortgage, or check. The intent of the forgery is to deceive or defraud. Source: OCC
  • Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
  • Garnishment: Generally, garnishment is a court proceeding in which a creditor asks a court to order a third party who owes money to the debtor or otherwise holds assets belonging to the debtor to turn over to the creditor any of the debtor
  • Gender identity: means an individual's gender-related identity, appearance, expression or behavior, regardless of whether the identity, appearance, expression or behavior differs from that associated with the gender assigned to the individual at birth. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
  • General judgment: means the judgment entered by a court that decides all requests for relief in the action except:

    (a) A request for relief previously decided by a limited judgment; and

    (b) A request for relief that may be decided by a supplemental judgment. See Oregon Statutes 18.005

  • Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
  • Governmental subdivision: means a unit of government, including an authority, county, district and municipality. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Grand jury: agreement providing that a lender will delay exercising its rights (in the case of a mortgage,
  • Grantor: The person who establishes a trust and places property into it.
  • Guarantor: A party who agrees to be responsible for the payment of another party's debts should that party default. Source: OCC
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Habeas corpus: A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.
  • Hearsay: Statements by a witness who did not see or hear the incident in question but heard about it from someone else. Hearsay is usually not admissible as evidence in court.
  • Impeachment: (1) The process of calling something into question, as in "impeaching the testimony of a witness." (2) The constitutional process whereby the House of Representatives may "impeach" (accuse of misconduct) high officers of the federal government for trial in the Senate.
  • Independent expenditure: means an expenditure by a person for a communication in support of or in opposition to a clearly identified candidate or measure that is not made with the cooperation or with the prior consent of, or in consultation with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate or any agent or authorized committee of the candidate, or any political committee or agent of a political committee supporting or opposing a measure. See Oregon Statutes 260.005
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  • Individual: means a natural person, including the guardian of an incompetent individual. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Informed consent: means consent given by an individual 15 years of age or older for sterilization that is:

    (a) Based upon a full understanding of the nature and consequences of sterilization pursuant to information requirements set forth in ORS § 436. See Oregon Statutes 436.205

  • Infrastructure assistance: means any use of moneys in the Oregon Transportation Infrastructure Fund, other than an infrastructure loan, to provide financial assistance for transportation projects. See Oregon Statutes 367.010
  • Infrastructure bonds: means bonds authorized by ORS § 367. See Oregon Statutes 367.010
  • Infrastructure fund: means the Oregon Transportation Infrastructure Fund. See Oregon Statutes 367.010
  • Initiative petition: means a petition to initiate a measure for which a prospective petition has been filed but that is not yet a measure. See Oregon Statutes 260.005
  • Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
  • Institution: means the institutions designated in ORS § 179. See Oregon Statutes 179.010
  • Intangible property: Property that has no intrinsic value, but is merely the evidence of value such as stock certificates, bonds, and promissory notes.
  • Inter vivos: Transfer of property from one living person to another living person.
  • Interest rate: The amount paid by a borrower to a lender in exchange for the use of the lender's money for a certain period of time. Interest is paid on loans or on debt instruments, such as notes or bonds, either at regular intervals or as part of a lump sum payment when the issue matures. Source: OCC
  • Interrogatories: Written questions asked by one party of an opposing party, who must answer them in writing under oath; a discovery device in a lawsuit.
  • Intestate: Dying without leaving a will.
  • Invitation to bid: means all documents, whether attached or incorporated by reference, used for soliciting bids. See Oregon Statutes 279B.005
  • Irrevocable trust: A trust arrangement that cannot be revoked, rescinded, or repealed by the grantor.
  • Joint committee: Committees including membership from both houses of teh legislature. Joint committees are usually established with narrow jurisdictions and normally lack authority to report legislation.
  • Joint meeting: An occasion, often ceremonial, when the House and Senate each adopt a unanimous consent agreement
  • Judge: means judge of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, circuit court or the Oregon Tax Court. See Oregon Statutes 249.002
  • Judge: means judge of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, circuit court or the Oregon Tax Court. See Oregon Statutes 260.005
  • Judgment: means a judgment or appealable order, as provided in ORS § 19. See Oregon Statutes 19.005
  • Judgment document: means a writing in the form provided by ORS § 18. See Oregon Statutes 18.005
  • judicial department: means the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, the Oregon Tax Court, the circuit courts and all administrative divisions of those courts, whether denominated as boards, commissions, committees or departments or by any other designation. See Oregon Statutes 174.113
  • Juror: A person who is on the jury.
  • Juror: means any juror or prospective juror. See Oregon Statutes 10.010
  • Jury: means a body of persons temporarily selected from persons who live in a particular county or district, and invested with power to present or indict in respect to a crime or to try a question of fact. See Oregon Statutes 10.010
  • Land: includes water, water rights, easements of every nature and all appurtenances to land. See Oregon Statutes 273.006
  • Land: includes water, water rights, easements of every nature and all appurtenances to land. See Oregon Statutes 274.005
  • Lawsuit: A legal action started by a plaintiff against a defendant based on a complaint that the defendant failed to perform a legal duty, resulting in harm to the plaintiff.
  • Legacy: A gift of property made by will.
  • legislative department: means the Legislative Assembly, the committees of the Legislative Assembly and all administrative divisions of the Legislative Assembly and its committees, whether denominated as boards, commissions or departments or by any other designation. See Oregon Statutes 174.114
  • Legislative session: That part of a chamber's daily session in which it considers legislative business (bills, resolutions, and actions related thereto).
  • Liabilities: The aggregate of all debts and other legal obligations of a particular person or legal entity.
  • Line of ordinary high water: means the line on the bank or shore to which the high water ordinarily rises annually in season. See Oregon Statutes 274.005
  • local government: means all cities, counties and local service districts located in this state, and all administrative subdivisions of those cities, counties and local service districts. See Oregon Statutes 174.116
  • Low-Rise Residential Dwelling Code: means the adopted specialty code that, subject to section 2, chapter 401, Oregon Laws 2019, prescribes standards for the construction of residential dwellings that are three stories or less above grade and have an exterior door for each dwelling unit, but are not facilities or homes described in ORS § 443. See Oregon Statutes 455.010
  • Marital deduction: The deduction(s) that can be taken in the determination of gift and estate tax liabilities because of the existence of a marriage or marital relationship.
  • Material: includes gravel, rock, sand and silt, but does not include hard minerals subject to ORS § 274. See Oregon Statutes 274.005
  • Measure: includes any of the following submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at an election:

    (a) A proposed law. See Oregon Statutes 254.005

  • Measure: includes any of the following submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at an election:

    (a) A proposed law. See Oregon Statutes 260.005

  • Member: means an individual who is registered as being affiliated with the political party. See Oregon Statutes 249.002
  • Member: means a person that is entitled, under a domestic corporation's or foreign corporation's articles of incorporation or bylaws, to exercise any of the rights described in ORS § 65. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Membership: means the rights and obligations a member has under this chapter. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Minor political party: means a political party that has qualified as a minor political party under ORS § 248. See Oregon Statutes 249.002
  • Minority leader: See Floor Leaders
  • Mistrial: An invalid trial, caused by fundamental error. When a mistrial is declared, the trial must start again from the selection of the jury.
  • Mortgage loan: A loan made by a lender to a borrower for the financing of real property. Source: OCC
  • Mortgagor: The person who pledges property to a creditor as collateral for a loan and who receives the money.
  • Municipality: means a city, county or other unit of local government otherwise authorized by law to administer a building code. See Oregon Statutes 455.010
  • Mutual benefit corporation: means a domestic corporation that is organized to serve and operates primarily to serve the mutual interests of a group of persons, but is not a public benefit corporation or religious corporation. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • National Bank: A bank that is subject to the supervision of the Comptroller of the Currency. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is a bureau of the U.S. Treasury Department. A national bank can be recognized because it must have "national" or "national association" in its name. Source: OCC
  • Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
  • Nonpartisan office: means the office of judge, Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries, any elected office of a metropolitan service district under ORS Chapter 268, justice of the peace, county clerk, county assessor, county surveyor, county treasurer, county judge who exercises judicial functions, sheriff, district attorney or any office designated nonpartisan by a home rule charter. See Oregon Statutes 249.002
  • Nonprofit corporation: means a mutual benefit corporation, a public benefit corporation or a religious corporation. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Notice: means a notice described in ORS § 65. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Notice of appeal: includes a notice of cross-appeal. See Oregon Statutes 19.005
  • Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • Open-end credit: A credit agreement (typically a credit card) that allows a customer to borrow against a preapproved credit line when purchasing goods and services. The borrower is only billed for the amount that is actually borrowed plus any interest due. (Also called a charge account or revolving credit.) Source: OCC
  • Oral argument: An opportunity for lawyers to summarize their position before the court and also to answer the judges' questions.
  • Outfitter and guide: means any person:

    (A) Who, for compensation or monetary gain, provides, offers to provide or advertises the provision of:

    (i) Outfitting and guiding services in this state; or

    (ii) Outfitting and guiding services and either equipment, supplies, livestock or materials for use in this state; or

    (B) Who holds one or more federal special use permits for commercial outfitting and guiding services for use in any forest or wilderness or on any waterway in this state. See Oregon Statutes 704.010

  • Outlays: Outlays are payments made (generally through the issuance of checks or disbursement of cash) to liquidate obligations. Outlays during a fiscal year may be for payment of obligations incurred in prior years or in the same year.
  • Oversight: Committee review of the activities of a Federal agency or program.
  • owner of the property: means the owner of property. See Oregon Statutes 35.215
  • Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
  • Person: means person as defined by ORS § 174. See Oregon Statutes 35.215
  • Person: means an individual or an entity. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Person: means an individual, corporation, limited liability company, labor organization, association, firm, partnership, joint stock company, club, organization or other combination of individuals having collective capacity. See Oregon Statutes 260.005
  • person with a disability: means any person who:

    (a) Has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities;

    (b) Has a record of such an impairment; or

    (c) Is regarded as having such an impairment. See Oregon Statutes 174.107

  • Personal property: All property that is not real property.
  • Petition committee: means an initiative, referendum or recall petition committee organized under ORS § 260. See Oregon Statutes 260.005
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
  • Plea agreement: An arrangement between the prosecutor, the defense attorney, and the defendant in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for special considerations. Source:
  • Pleadings: Written statements of the parties in a civil case of their positions. In the federal courts, the principal pleadings are the complaint and the answer.
  • Police officer: has the meaning given that term in ORS § 133. See Oregon Statutes 131A.005
  • Political committee: means a combination of two or more individuals, or a person other than an individual, that has:

    (a) Received a contribution for the purpose of supporting or opposing a candidate, measure or political party; or

    (b) Made an expenditure for the purpose of supporting or opposing a candidate, measure or political party. See Oregon Statutes 260.005

  • Precedent: A court decision in an earlier case with facts and law similar to a dispute currently before a court. Precedent will ordinarily govern the decision of a later similar case, unless a party can show that it was wrongly decided or that it differed in some significant way.
  • Preliminary hearing: A hearing where the judge decides whether there is enough evidence to make the defendant have a trial.
  • Presentence report: A report prepared by a court's probation officer, after a person has been convicted of an offense, summarizing for the court the background information needed to determine the appropriate sentence. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Presiding officer: A majority-party Senator who presides over the Senate and is charged with maintaining order and decorum, recognizing Members to speak, and interpreting the Senate's rules, practices and precedents.
  • Principal office: means the physical street address of the place, in or out of this state, where the principal executive offices of a domestic corporation or foreign corporation are located and that is designated as the principal office in the most recent annual report filed in accordance with ORS § 65. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Private condemner: means a private corporation that has the power to exercise the right of eminent domain. See Oregon Statutes 35.215
  • Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Probation officers: Screen applicants for pretrial release and monitor convicted offenders released under court supervision.
  • Proceeding: means a civil, criminal, administrative or investigatory action. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Procurement description: includes specifications attached to or made a part of the solicitation. See Oregon Statutes 279B.005
  • Property: means real or personal property or any interest therein of any kind or nature that is subject to condemnation. See Oregon Statutes 35.215
  • Property: means any interest in anything of value, including the whole of any lot or tract of land and tangible and intangible personal property, including currency, instruments or securities or any other kind of privilege, interest, claim or right whether due or to become due. See Oregon Statutes 131A.005
  • Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
  • Prospective petition: means the information, except signatures and other identification of petition signers, required to be contained in a completed petition. See Oregon Statutes 249.002
  • Proxy voting: The practice of allowing a legislator to cast a vote in committee for an absent legislator.
  • Public benefit corporation: means a domestic corporation that:

    (a) Is formed as a public benefit corporation under ORS § 65. See Oregon Statutes 65.001

  • public body: means state government bodies, local government bodies and special government bodies. See Oregon Statutes 174.109
  • Public condemner: means condemner other than private condemner. See Oregon Statutes 35.215
  • Public defender: Represent defendants who can't afford an attorney in criminal matters.
  • Public law: A public bill or joint resolution that has passed both chambers and been enacted into law. Public laws have general applicability nationwide.
  • Public office: means any national, state, county, city or district office or position, except a political party office, filled by the electors. See Oregon Statutes 249.002
  • Public office: means any national, state, county, district, city office or position, except a political party office, that is filled by the electors. See Oregon Statutes 260.005
  • Quorum: The number of legislators that must be present to do business.
  • Recall petition: means a petition to recall a public officer for which a prospective petition has been filed but that is not yet a measure. See Oregon Statutes 260.005
  • Record date: means the date established under ORS § 65. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Recourse: An arrangement in which a bank retains, in form or in substance, any credit risk directly or indirectly associated with an asset it has sold (in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) that exceeds a pro rata share of the bank's claim on the asset. If a bank has no claim on an asset it has sold, then the retention of any credit risk is recourse. Source: FDIC
  • Referendum petition: means a petition to refer a measure for which a prospective petition has been filed but that is not yet a measure. See Oregon Statutes 260.005
  • Regular district election: means the regular district election described in ORS § 255. See Oregon Statutes 260.005
  • Religious corporation: means a domestic corporation that is formed as a religious corporation under ORS § 65. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.
  • Remand: When an appellate court sends a case back to a lower court for further proceedings.
  • Remote communication: means any method by which a person that is not physically present at the location at which a meeting occurs may nevertheless hear or otherwise communicate at substantially the same time with other persons at the meeting and have access to materials necessary to participate or vote in the meeting to the extent of the person's authorization to participate or vote. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).
  • Request for proposals: means all documents, whether attached or incorporated by reference, used for soliciting proposals. See Oregon Statutes 279B.005
  • Request for relief: means a claim, a charge in a criminal action or any other request for a determination of the rights and liabilities of one or more parties in an action that a legal authority allows the court to decide by a judgment. See Oregon Statutes 18.005
  • Rescission: The cancellation of budget authority previously provided by Congress. The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 specifies that the President may propose to Congress that funds be rescinded. If both Houses have not approved a rescission proposal (by passing legislation) within 45 days of continuous session, any funds being withheld must be made available for obligation.
  • responsible proposer: means a person who meets the standards of responsibility described in ORS § 279B. See Oregon Statutes 279B.005
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
  • Right of survivorship: The ownership rights that result in the acquisition of title to property by reason of having survived other co-owners.
  • Seizing agency: means a law enforcement agency that has seized property for forfeiture. See Oregon Statutes 131A.005
  • Sentencing guidelines: A set of rules and principles established by the United States Sentencing Commission that trial judges use to determine the sentence for a convicted defendant. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Sequester: To separate. Sometimes juries are sequestered from outside influences during their deliberations.
  • Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
  • Sexual orientation: means an individual's actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
  • Shell entity: means an entity that has the characteristics described in ORS § 65. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Sign: means to indicate a present intent to authenticate or adopt a document by:

    (a) Affixing a symbol to the document;

    (b) Inscribing or affixing a manual, facsimile or conformed signature on the document; or

    (c) Attaching to, or logically associating with, an electronic transmission any electronic sound, symbol or process, including an electronic signature. See Oregon Statutes 65.001

  • special government body: means any of the following:

    (a) A public corporation created under a statute of this state and specifically designated as a public corporation. See Oregon Statutes 174.117

  • State building code: means the combined specialty codes. See Oregon Statutes 455.010
  • state government: means the executive department, the judicial department and the legislative department. See Oregon Statutes 174.111
  • State land: means public land controlled by the Department of State Lands. See Oregon Statutes 273.006
  • State office: means Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General, Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries, judge, state Senator, state Representative or district attorney. See Oregon Statutes 249.002
  • State office: means the office of Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General, Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries, state Senator, state Representative, judge or district attorney. See Oregon Statutes 260.005
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  • Statute of limitations: A law that sets the time within which parties must take action to enforce their rights.
  • Sterilization: means any medical procedure, treatment or operation for the purpose of rendering an individual permanently incapable of procreating. See Oregon Statutes 436.205
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
  • Supersedeas undertaking: means an undertaking on appeal that secures performance of a judgment being appealed and operates to stay enforcement of the judgment pending appeal. See Oregon Statutes 19.005
  • Supplemental judgment: means a judgment that may be rendered after a general judgment pursuant to a legal authority. See Oregon Statutes 18.005
  • Support arrearage lien: means a lien that attaches to real property under the provisions of ORS § 18. See Oregon Statutes 18.005
  • Support award: means a money award or agency order that requires the payment of child or spousal support. See Oregon Statutes 18.005
  • Temporary restraining order: Prohibits a person from an action that is likely to cause irreparable harm. This differs from an injunction in that it may be granted immediately, without notice to the opposing party, and without a hearing. It is intended to last only until a hearing can be held.
  • Testate: To die leaving a will.
  • Testator: A male person who leaves a will at death.
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
  • to and including: when used in a reference to a series of statute sections, subsections or paragraphs. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
  • Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.
  • Traffic offense: has the meaning given that term in ORS § 801. See Oregon Statutes 153.005
  • Transcript: A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition.
  • Transcript: means the transcript of the court reporter's report as provided in ORS § 8. See Oregon Statutes 19.005
  • Transportation project: means any project or undertaking that facilitates any mode of transportation within this state. See Oregon Statutes 367.010
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Trial jury: A group of citizens who hear the evidence presented by both sides at trial and determine the facts in dispute. Federal criminal juries consist of 12 persons. Federal civil juries consist of six persons.
  • Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
  • Trustor: The person who makes or creates a trust. Also known as the grantor or settlor.
  • Uncompensated officer: means an individual who serves in an office without compensation other than payment solely for actual expenses the individual incurs in performing duties of the individual's office or payment for the average expenses the individual incurs over the course of a year. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Undertaking for costs: means an undertaking on appeal that secures payment of costs and disbursements that may be awarded against an appellant on appeal, and any amounts that may be awarded to the respondent under the provisions of ORS § 19. See Oregon Statutes 19.005
  • Undertaking on appeal: includes undertakings for costs and supersedeas undertakings. See Oregon Statutes 19.005
  • Uniform Commercial Code: A set of statutes enacted by the various states to provide consistency among the states' commercial laws. It includes negotiable instruments, sales, stock transfers, trust and warehouse receipts, and bills of lading. Source: OCC
  • United States: means the federal government or a district, authority, bureau, commission, department or any other agency of the United States. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • United States: includes territories, outlying possessions and the District of Columbia. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
  • User fees: Fees charged to users of goods or services provided by the government. In levying or authorizing these fees, the legislature determines whether the revenue should go into the treasury or should be available to the agency providing the goods or services.
  • Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.
  • Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.
  • Victim advocate: work with prosecutors and assist the victims of a crime.
  • Violation: means an offense described in ORS § 153. See Oregon Statutes 153.005
  • Violation proceeding: means a judicial proceeding initiated by issuance of a citation that charges a person with commission of a violation. See Oregon Statutes 153.005
  • Voir dire: The process by which judges and lawyers select a petit jury from among those eligible to serve, by questioning them to determine knowledge of the facts of the case and a willingness to decide the case only on the evidence presented in court. "Voir dire" is a phrase meaning "to speak the truth."
  • Vote: means an authorization by written ballot or written consent, where permitted, or by another method that a corporation specifies as an authorization. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Vote tally system: means one or more pieces of equipment necessary to examine and tally automatically the marked ballots. See Oregon Statutes 254.005
  • Voting power: means the total number of votes entitled to be cast on an issue at the time the determination of voting power is made, excluding a vote that is contingent upon a condition or event occurring that has not occurred at the time. See Oregon Statutes 65.001
  • Writ of certiorari: An order issued by the Supreme Court directing the lower court to transmit records for a case for which it will hear on appeal.
  • Written: means embodied as a document. See Oregon Statutes 65.001