Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 624 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, OREGON ALFALFA SEED COMMISSION
Chapter 624 – Overview
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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