Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 669 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, OREGON SWEET CHERRY COMMISSION
Here’s an updated and well‑organized summary of OAR Chapter 669 – Department of Agriculture: Oregon Sweet Cherry Commission (current through May 26, 2025) (oregon.public.law):
📁 Divisions Overview
Division 1 – Procedural Rules (669‑001‑0000)
Before adopting, amending, or repealing permanent rules, the Commission must provide:
At least 21 days’ notice via the Secretary of State Bulletin.
At least 28 days’ notice to individuals on the Commission’s rulemaking mailing list.
At least 49 days’ notice to specific legislators.
Notice to the Associated Press, trade associations, and newspapers in sweet‑cherry production areas (regulations.justia.com).
Division 10 – Reporting & Payment of Assessments
Covers the mandatory fees collected from first purchasers or handlers:
Effective date: The assessment requirement applies to purchases/deliveries made on or after June 1, 1989 (regulations.justia.com).
Submission deadlines (per industry standard):
Fresh‑market cherries: reports due by October 1 (final reports by November 1 if estimated first) (oregon.public.law, osweetcherry.org).
Brined/canned/frozen cherries: if purchased before Dec 1, due December 15; if after, due May 15 (osweetcherry.org).
Assessment rates:
Fresh market & grower-direct sales: $0.0135/lb ($27/ton).
Processed cherries (brined, canned, frozen): $0.0045/lb ($9/ton)—raised from $6.75/ton in March 2018 (osweetcherry.org).
Division 20 – Public Records Requests (669‑020‑0010 to ‑0060)
Establishes procedures for public records, including:
Definition of process and deadlines.
Exceptions and fee schedules.
Fee-waiver criteria (regulations.justia.com).
Division 30 – Commission Composition & Reimbursements
Rules for structuring the Commission and compensating members:
Composition & terms:
11 commissioners appointed by the Director of Agriculture, each serving three-year terms.
Maximum of two consecutive full terms; after a year off, eligibility returns (oregon.public.law).
Qualifications:
Producers must have paid assessments for the last three years.
Handlers must have collected assessments for the same period.
Roles include:
1 public member.
Majority producers (two Western Oregon, four Columbia River area, two at-large).
Two handlers (one briner, one fresh handler) (oregon.public.law, regulations.justia.com).
Officer roles & reimbursements:
Sets procedures for electing Chair/others.
Defines per diem, travel reimbursements, substitute arrangements, and payment protocols (oregon.public.law, law.cornell.edu).
✅ Summary
OAR Chapter 669 provides the regulatory framework for:
Commission rulemaking with stringent notice requirements.
Transparent, organized fee collections to fund research and promotions.
Public accountability through records access.
Structured governance and fair compensation for commission members.
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