Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 668 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, OREGON STRAWBERRY COMMISSION
Here’s a detailed overview of OAR Chapter 668 – Department of Agriculture, Oregon Strawberry Commission, updated as of May 26, 2025:
🧩 Chapter Structure (Divisions)
Division 1 – Procedural Rules (§ 668‑001‑0000)
Division 10 – Establishment of Assessment Rate & Commission Procedures (§ 668‑010‑0005 to .0025)
Division 20 – Public Records Requests, Fees & Reduced Fees (§ 668‑020‑0010 to .0060)
Division 30 – Commission Makeup: Terms, Qualifications, Removal (§ 668‑030‑0010 to .0040)
Division 40 – Reimbursement of Expenses (§ 668‑040‑0010 to .0140) (oregon.public.law)
🔍 Key Highlights from Division 10 (Assessment Rules)
• Definitions – OAR 668‑010‑0005
“First Purchaser”: whoever buys strawberries first from the producer.
“Casual Sale”: direct consumer sales ≤ 1 000 lb annually.
“Strawberries”: all Fragaria spp, including major Oregon varieties (oregon.public.law).
• Assessment Rate – OAR 668‑010‑0010
First Purchasers must withhold 1 % of gross value from purchases made on/after March 10, 2016, of Oregon-grown strawberries (oregon.public.law).
Casual sales exempt; organic producers continued exemption only if certified and reporting by Sept 15 annually (oregon.public.law).
• Reporting & Payments – OAR 668‑010‑0015
First purchasers submit reports quarterly: by May 15, Sept 15, and Jan 15 for four-month intervals (law.cornell.edu).
Final crop reporting allowed; out-of-state purchasers or federal agencies require producers to report/pay (law.cornell.edu).
• Effective Dates – OAR 668‑010‑0025
The assessment system applies to any purchase/delivery on/after June 1, 1967 (law.cornell.edu).
⚙️ Other Important Provisions
Division 40 – Expense Reimbursement
Non‑qualified Commission members receive per diem at Legislative Assembly rate and travel reimbursement, following state procedures (OAR 605‑020‑0130 & Oregon Accounting Manual) (regulations.justia.com).
They may decline reimbursement.
“Other expenses” (e.g., substitute labor) reimbursable up to $25/day under ORS 292.495 (regulations.justia.com, law.cornell.edu).
🆕 Recent Rule Change – May 2025
As of May 21, 2025, the Commission amended OAR 668‑010‑0010 to remove the exemption for organic producers—now they pay the standard 1 % assessment.
This change was filed April 16 and effective May 21 after public comment (oregon-strawberries.org, oregon-strawberries.org).
✅ Summary Table
| Topic | Section(s) | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment | 668‑010‑0010 | 1 % levy on first purchasers; casual sales exempt; organic no longer exempt as of May 2025 |
| Reporting | 668‑010‑0015 | Quarterly reporting deadlines; final crop reports accepted |
| Effective Since | 668‑010‑0025 | Assessment applies to purchases from June 1, 1967 |
| Definitions | 668‑010‑0005 | Terms like first purchaser, producer, casual sale clarified |
| Reimbursements | Division 40 | Per diem & travel for non‑qualified commissioners; substitute labor up to $25/day |
📌 Need More Detail?
Would you like a deep dive into any specific division, such as:
Division 20 (Public records & fees)
Division 30 (Commission composition and governance)
Division 1 (Rulemaking procedures)
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