SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- State Rep. Dennis Richardson, R-Central Point, has agreed to pay a $300 fine for failing to report repayment for expenses he received for attending conferences.

Richardson said he had thought he needn't report the compensation because the sessions weren't sponsored by groups that lobby the Legislature. One involved the Portland Business Alliance, and others involved groups such as the National Conference of State Legislatures, a bipartisan national research organization.

After a group of lawmakers came under fire for failing to file economic interest reports from a convention of the Oregon Beer and Wine Distributors in Hawaii, Richardson said he decided to err on the side of caution and submit amended reports to the state ethics commission.

The commission proposed a $600 fine, which Richardson objected to.

The ethics commission's executive director, Ron Bersin, said Richardson had been cooperative and noted that two of the trips had been disclosed in campaign reports. So, Bersin said, he offered a $300 fine but hadn't yet heard back from Richardson.

The lawmaker's chief of staff, Peter Coyl, said Friday that Richardson has agreed to the figure.