Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 644 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, OREGON SHEEP COMMISSION
Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Chapter 644 outlines the regulations pertaining to the Department of Agriculture, Oregon Sheep Commission. These rules govern the operations and functions of the Oregon Sheep Commission, which is one of Oregon's 23 commodity commissions established to support and enhance specific agricultural industries.
Here's a breakdown of what OAR Chapter 644 covers and the key functions and interactions of the Oregon Sheep Commission:
Key Divisions within OAR Chapter 644:
Division 1 - Procedural Rules: This division likely covers general procedures for the commission's operations, including rulemaking processes.
Division 5 - Screening and Selection Procedures for Personal Service Contracts: Details how the commission awards and manages contracts for services.
Division 10 - Reporting and Payment of Assessments: Crucially, this division sets forth the rules for how assessments (fees) on the sale of sheep/lambs are reported and paid. These assessments are the primary funding source for the commission.
Division 20 - Public Records Request: Governs the process for requesting public records from the Oregon Sheep Commission.
Division 30 - Commission Make-Up, Terms, Qualifications, Term Limits, Removal From Office: Defines the structure of the commission, including the number of members, their qualifications (e.g., producers, handlers, public members), term lengths, and procedures for removal.
Division 40 - Compensation and Expenses for Commissioners: Outlines the rules regarding reimbursement for expenses incurred by commission members.
Key Functions of the Oregon Sheep Commission:
The Oregon Sheep Commission's main purpose is to support and enhance Oregon's sheep industry, which in turn contributes to the state's economic interests. This is achieved through various initiatives, primarily funded by the assessments collected from the sale of sheep/lambs. Their key functions include:
Policy and Direction: Setting overall policy and strategic direction for the Oregon sheep industry.
Marketing and Promotion: Enhancing the image, increasing demand, and promoting the consumption of Oregon lamb and wool products. This includes non-branded promotion.
Research: Facilitating and funding research into areas that will assist with the production, processing, marketing, or use of Oregon lamb and wool products. Past research has included topics like sheep reproductive health and newborn lamb resuscitation.
Education: Educating consumers about the value of Oregon lamb and wool products, and providing educational programs for producers.
Budgeting and Funding Decisions: Reviewing proposals and making decisions about which projects will be funded with the collected assessment dollars. Funds are generally limited to non-branded promotion, research, and education.
Interaction with the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA):
The Oregon Sheep Commission operates with oversight from the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA). This interaction is characterized by:
Appointment of Commissioners: The ODA Director appoints all commissioners to the Oregon Sheep Commission.
Budget Review and Authorization: The ODA Director reviews and authorizes each commodity commission's budget annually. This ensures accountability and alignment with broader agricultural goals.
General Framework: The ODA provides the overarching regulatory framework within which commodity commissions, including the Oregon Sheep Commission, operate. ODA maintains a list of all commodity commissions and information on their functions.
In essence, the Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 644 provides the legal framework for the Oregon Sheep Commission to operate as a semi-autonomous entity, funded by the industry it serves, but with direct oversight from the Oregon Department of Agriculture to ensure proper governance and alignment with state agricultural objectives.
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