SALEM - Members of the state House Rules Committee introduced legislation Monday that would require presidential candidates wishing to appear on Oregon's ballot or in the voters' pamphlet to provide the Secretary of State with copies of their federal income tax returns for the previous five years.

Presidential candidates would also have to provide written consent that their income tax returns can be made public through the secretary of state's website. The bill also applies to vice presidential candidates.

Electoral College electors would also be required to sign a pledge that they will not cast their votes for presidential and vice presidential candidates who haven't disclosed their income tax returns.    

The bill comes after Donald Trump campaigned for president and declined to release his tax returns, citing an ongoing federal audit. Trump had said he would release his returns once the audit finished, but the president's advisers have said Trump may not disclose his tax information even after the audit concludes.

The bill, HB 2909, has not yet been scheduled for a public hearing.

-- Gordon R. Friedman

gfriedman@oregonian.com; 503-221-8209

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