ORS 576.325
Levy and collection of assessments

  • commission rules regulating sale activities
  • maximum assessment rates

(1)

As used in this section, “industry average unit price” means the average unit price for the raw commodity within the industry. Unless provided otherwise, “industry average unit price” includes prices that are calculated using a one-year, two-year or three-year average and data from the most recent complete year or years preceding the year of determination.

(2)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

A commodity commission may assess, levy and collect an assessment, the amount of which the commission shall determine, on all units or animals of the commodity grown or produced in this state, or procured from this state’s rivers or the offshore waters, but not the Columbia River, for handling within this state, and sold in commercial channels. A commission may not apply an assessment to a transaction that occurred prior to the effective date of the commission rule adopting the assessment.

(b)

A commission may assess, levy and collect a differential assessment, the amount of which the commission shall determine, based on the intended use, type or variety of the commodity.

(c)

All casual sales of the commodity made by the producer direct to the consumer are exempt from the assessment.

(d)

A commission may, by rule, define and regulate handling, processing and casual sales.

(3)

The amount of the assessment provided for in subsection (2) of this section is limited as follows:

(a)

If a commission assesses on a unit basis, the assessment may not exceed one and one-half percent of the industry average unit price. The commission may determine the industry average unit price by considering data and estimates of the United States Department of Agriculture, Oregon State University or other reliable sources.

(b)

If a commission assesses on a percentage of dollar value basis, the assessment may not exceed one and one-half percent of the dollar value received by a producer for the raw commodity. If the dollar value received by a producer is not otherwise determinable, the commission may establish the dollar value based on the industry average unit price for that year for the raw commodity.

(4)

Notwithstanding subsection (3) of this section:

(a)

The maximum assessment by the Oregon Clover Seed Commission may not exceed one and one-half percent of the industry average unit price for products within the same market category, if assessed on a unit basis.

(b)

The maximum assessments by the Oregon Albacore Commission and the Oregon Tall Fescue Commission may not exceed three percent of the industry average unit price if assessed on a unit basis or three percent of the value received by a producer for the raw commodity if assessed on a percentage of dollar value basis.

(c)

The maximum assessment by the Oregon Sweet Cherry Commission for fresh, brined, canned and frozen cherries may not exceed four percent of the respective industry average unit prices for fresh, brined, canned and frozen cherries if assessed on a unit basis.

(d)

The maximum assessment by the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission on a commodity may not exceed 0.5 percent of the industry average unit price for that commodity if assessed on a unit basis or 0.5 percent of the dollar value received by a producer for the commodity if assessed on a percentage of dollar value basis.

(e)

The maximum assessment by the Oregon Hop Commission may not exceed two percent of the industry average unit price if assessed on a unit basis.

(f)

The assessment by the Oregon Sheep Commission may not be less than $0.50 or more than $1 per head. The commission may not increase the assessment by more than $0.10 during any 12-month period. Notwithstanding subsection (2) of this section, the commission may levy the assessment on any sheep produced and sold in this state regardless of the disposition of the sheep and regardless of whether the sale is a casual sale. This paragraph does not allow the commission to apply an assessment to a transaction that occurs prior to the effective date of the rule adopting the assessment.

(5)

A commission shall assess and levy an assessment under subsections (2) to (4) of this section to the producer at the time and in the manner provided by the commission by rule. The commission is the owner of a collected assessment. A person who collects an assessment holds the assessment in trust for the benefit of the commission and the state and shall remit the assessment in the time and manner required by the commission under ORS 576.335 (Report by person responsible for collecting assessment).

(6)

Notwithstanding subsection (5) of this section, a commission may assess, levy and collect an assessment from a first purchaser at the time and in the manner provided by the commission by rule. Except as provided in subsection (8) of this section, the assessment may not exceed the limits described in subsections (3) and (4) of this section.

(7)

A regional commission may assess, levy and collect an assessment only on the commodity produced in the counties in which the regional commission functions.

(8)

Notwithstanding subsections (3) and (4) of this section, a commodity commission may assess, levy and collect an assessment in excess of the limits described in subsections (3) and (4) of this section pursuant to a federal marketing order or agreement.

(9)

A person who believes that the amount of an assessment is incorrect may apply to the commission for a refund not later than 60 days after the person pays the assessment. [1953 c.489 §21; 1957 c.447 §14; 1959 c.596 §13; 1983 c.645 §1; 2001 c.504 §4; 2003 c.604 §39; 2007 c.132 §4; 2013 c.308 §1; 2019 c.275 §7]

Source: Section 576.325 — Levy and collection of assessments; commission rules regulating sale activities; maximum assessment rates, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors576.­html.

576.006
Definitions for ORS 576.006 to 576.022
576.009
Agricultural Development Division
576.013
Purpose of market development and commodity development services
576.019
Discrimination against any product or dealer prohibited
576.022
Authority and functions of Oregon State University unaffected
576.024
Department authorized to inspect records and businesses for economic study purposes
576.035
Market news service in Klamath Basin, central Oregon and Malheur areas
576.051
Definitions for ORS 576.051 to 576.455
576.053
Short title
576.054
Legislative findings
576.062
Establishment of commodity commissions
576.066
Department oversight of commodity commissions
576.206
Appointment of temporary members
576.215
Ex officio members of commission
576.225
Qualifications of members
576.245
Office vacant when member ceases to be qualified
576.255
Removal of members
576.265
Travel and other expenses of members
576.275
Meeting place of commission
576.285
Commission organization
576.304
Authority of commodity commissions
576.306
Independent contractors performing services for commission
576.307
Provision of state services to commission
576.309
Commission furnishing services, facilities and materials to other state agencies
576.311
Commission exempt from certain financial administration laws
576.315
Grants, donations and gifts
576.317
Intellectual property
576.320
Commission employees not subject to state personnel compensation plans
576.322
Legislative ratification of prior actions, rules and appointments
576.325
Levy and collection of assessments
576.327
Exemptions from assessment
576.335
Report by person responsible for collecting assessment
576.345
Producer to make reports of and pay assessment moneys on certain sales
576.351
Records of person required to pay or collect assessment
576.355
Penalty for delaying transmittal of funds
576.365
Penalty for failure to relinquish assessment moneys to commission
576.370
Disputes over assessment amounts
576.372
Authority of Oregon Alfalfa Seed Commission to adopt rules authorizing refunds
576.375
Payment of commission moneys to authorized agent
576.385
Bond or letter of credit required of person authorized to receive or disburse commission moneys
576.392
Cancellation of uncollectible assessment
576.395
Books, records and accounts of commission
576.410
“Fiscal year” defined
576.413
Adoption of calendar year as fiscal year
576.416
Preparation of commission budget
576.420
Expenditures prohibited unless budget procedure complied with
576.440
Limitation on expenditures
576.445
Unforeseen expenditures
576.455
Moneys of abolished commission
576.595
Sales are in commercial channels
576.610
Definitions for ORS 576.610 to 576.650
576.620
Department to perform mediation services
576.630
Request for mediation
576.640
Rules
576.650
Cooperation by state agencies
576.700
Definitions for ORS 576.700 to 576.710
576.705
Processors required to pay for commodities within 30 days after delivery
576.710
Applicability of ORS 576.705
576.715
Definitions for ORS 576.715 to 576.744
576.718
Seed production contract terms
576.721
Payment due date provisions in contracts authenticated prior to planting
576.726
Title
576.729
Seed purchase contract terms
576.732
Contract modification
576.735
Seed not meeting quality standards
576.738
Seed dealer failure to timely make payment
576.741
Seed dealer financial assurance
576.744
Rules
576.747
Reporting adoption of rules regarding dealer financial assurance
576.780
Definitions for ORS 576.780 to 576.809
576.783
Terms of seed production contract
576.786
Payment due date terms in contracts authenticated prior to planting
576.789
Seed bailment contracts and seed purchase contracts
576.792
Terms of seed purchase contract
576.795
Modification of contract
576.798
Seed not meeting contract quality standards
576.802
Failure of seed dealer to make timely payment
576.806
Financial assurance by seed dealer
576.809
Rules
576.814
Reporting adoption of rules regarding financial assurance by seed dealer
576.850
Definitions for ORS 576.850 to 576.877
576.853
Legislative findings
576.856
Oregon Wine Board
576.859
Board purpose and duties
576.862
Board powers
576.865
State wine cellar
576.868
Rules
576.871
Strategic plan
576.874
Payment of tax
576.877
Disposition of moneys
576.991
Penalties
Green check means up to date. Up to date