Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 624 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, OREGON ALFALFA SEED COMMISSION
Chapter 624
Last updated May 26, 2025
Chapter 624 establishes the rules and procedures governing the Oregon Alfalfa Seed Commission under the Department of Agriculture. It comprises four divisions:
1. Division 1 — Procedural Rules (§ 624‑001‑0000)
Sets forth how the Commission must publish and provide notice of rulemaking, including timelines for notices (21–49 days prior), mailing to stakeholders, press, and associations .
2. Division 10 — Reporting and Payment of Assessments (§ 624‑010‑0000 to ‑0060)
Key sections include:
Definitions (§ 624‑010‑0000): Defines terms like “Person,” “Commission,” “Casual Sale” (≤ 100 lb/year), “First Purchaser,” “Producer,” “Handler,” “Alfalfa Seed” species, and “Net Paid for Weight”
Assessment Amount (§ 624‑010‑0010): First purchasers must deduct $0.35 per hundredweight (0.0035 cents per pound). Casual sales are exempt
Reporting & Payment (§ 624‑010‑0020): Reports and payments due monthly or quarterly by the 15th; final-crop-season designation allowed; out-of-state purchasers require producers to report and pay directly
Penalties (§ 624‑010‑0030): Late payments incur 10% penalty plus 1.5% monthly interest; waiver possible for good cause
Effective Date (§ 624‑010‑0040): Assessment applies to deliveries made on or after July 1, 1990
Refunds (§ 624‑010‑0050): Producers/first purchasers can request refunds for assessment portions used for advertising/product promotion—applications due within 30 days after fiscal year-end; notarization and appeals allowed
Advertising Definition (§ 624‑010‑0060): Clarifies scope of “advertising and product promotion” vs. pure research
3. Division 30 — Commission Makeup & Governance (§ 624‑030‑0010 to ‑0040)
Commission Structure (§ 624‑030‑0010): Five commissioners appointed by the Department of Agriculture for 3-year terms
Qualifications (§ 624‑030‑0020): Majority must be producers (who paid assessments for three years); at least one handler; no public member if refunds are available
Removal (§ 624‑030‑0030): Grounds include unexcused absences, misuse of office, confidentiality breaches, misappropriation, conflict of interest, etc.
Officers (§ 624‑030‑0040): Commission elects a Chair and Vice-Chair annually
4. Division 40 — Commissioner Per Diem & Reimbursement (§ 624‑040‑0010 to ‑0030, plus non‑qualified member provisions)
Per Diem (§ 624‑040‑0010): Eligible members (except full-time public employees) receive up to $30/day. Claims must be submitted monthly by the 10th
Expenses (§ 624‑040‑0020): Reimbursable for actual and necessary expenses (travel, lodging, meals, postage, event costs). Items like sports events, alcohol, gym, gifts are excluded; above-$200 expenses need prior Commission approval
Substitute Reimbursement (§ 624‑040‑0030): Up to $25/day if hiring a substitute due to official duties
Non‑qualified Members (§ 624‑040‑0120): May receive per diem/reimbursement equal to legislative rates when funds available, or they may decline
📌 Summary Table
| Division | Contents |
|---|---|
| 1 | Rulemaking procedures & notice |
| 10 | Assessment rules, reporting, penalties, refunds |
| 30 | Commission composition, qualifications, governance |
| 40 | Member compensation, expense reimbursement |
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