Buehler intros new whistleblower protection bill

Last week, the Marion and Yamhill county district attorneys announced that they would not pursue charges against Michael Rodgers, the whistleblower responsible for leaking the former Gov. Kitzhaber emails that eventually led to his resignation.

Rep. Knute Buehler, R-Bend, who was the first public official to support Rodgers, introduced legislation Thursday to enhance protections for future whistleblowers.

“Michael Rodgers’ story has shown that the system is broken and we must do more to protect Oregonians that are brave enough to stand against corrupt government,” Buehler said.

Buehler introduced whistleblower protection reforms earlier this session, but the bill was assigned to a closed committee and never received a hearing.

On Wednesday, Buehler introduced new legislation, HB 3562, based on the federal Sarbanes Oxley law (sections 806 and 307), that would provide state employees in Oregon similar protections that exist for employees of publicly traded companies.

Some of the proposed protections include making attorneys in the Department of Justice mandatory reporters, enhancing penalties for executives who punish whistleblowers, and requiring every public agency to have whistleblower protocols in place so their employees feel comfortable reporting possible fraud and corruption.

“By strengthening Oregon’s whistleblower protections, we can stand with those, like Rodgers, who are trying to do the right thing,” Buehler said. “I urge Governor Brown and leadership in the Legislature to give HB 3562 a hearing and let’s work together to protect future whistleblowers.”