HOD1_Results

House of Delegates Resolution 1

 

 

Three-Year Moratorium on Member Fee

Whereas, the OSB Board of Governors is charged by ORS 9.080(1) with the executive functions of the Oregon State Bar, which include ensuring there are adequate resources for bar operations;

Whereas, the annual membership fee is established by the Board of Governors and any increase over the amount established for the prior year must be approved by a majority of delegates voting thereon at the annual meeting of the House of Delegates, pursuant to ORS 9.191(1);

Now, therefore be it Resolved, the 2023 active bar fee shall be frozen and not increase until not sooner than January 2027. The Oregon State Bar active bar fee shall be on an increase moratorium for the next three years.

 

 

The House of Delegates takes seriously its obligation to use the bar’s resources wisely, especially because over two-thirds of the bar’s annual revenue comes from the mandatory annual membership fees. For the last two years, there have been bar fee increases. Despite increases to bar dues, membership growth remains flat. Studies have shown that Oregon has the highest active bar fees in the United States. High bar dues may be acting as a deterrent to promoting new membership. High bar dues create a stress on active bar members, especially solo and small firm practitioners. High bar dues also have a disproportionate impact on attorneys with limited financial resources which includes a higher proportion of attorneys who are part of or who represent marginalized communities.

 

Financial Impact

Between 2016 and 2020, bar membership dues remained unchanged. There should be no impact financially to a moratorium on fee increases over a three-year period.

 

Submitted by:
Blaine Clooten, OSB#133294, HOD, Region 1

 
 
 
 

 

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Abstentions: 0

 

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