A commodity commission may:

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(1) Appoint all subordinate officers and employees of the commission, prescribe their duties and fix their compensation.

(2) Levy assessments under ORS § 576.325.

(3) Borrow money in amounts that do not exceed estimated revenues from assessments for the year.

(4) Enter into contracts for carrying out the duties of the commission.

(5) Subject to ORS § 30.260 to 30.300, sue and be sued in the name of the commission.

(6) Request that the Attorney General prosecute in the name of the State of Oregon suits and actions for the collection of assessments levied by the commission.

(7) Study state and federal legislation with regard to tariffs, duties, reciprocal trade agreements, import quotas and other matters affecting commodity industries and the state. A commission may represent and protect the interests of a commodity industry regarding any legislation, proposed legislation or executive action affecting the commodity industry.

(8) Participate in federal and state hearings or other proceedings concerning regulation of the manufacture, distribution, sale or use of pesticides as defined in ORS § 634.006 or other chemicals that are of use or potential use to producers of a commodity. This subsection does not authorize a commodity commission to regulate the use of pesticides.

(9) To the extent consistent with the duties of the commission, participate in and cooperate with local, state, national and international private organizations or governmental agencies that engage in work similar to that of a commodity commission.

(10) Provide mechanisms for maintaining and expanding existing markets and developing new domestic and foreign markets for a commodity, including but not limited to:

(a) Public relations programs;

(b) Media relations programs;

(c) Paid print, electronic and position advertising;

(d) Point of sale promotion and merchandising;

(e) Paid sales promotions and coupon programs; and

(f) Activities that prevent, modify or eliminate trade barriers that obstruct the free flow of a commodity to market.

(11) Conduct and fund research to:

(a) Enhance the commercial value of a commodity and products derived from the commodity;

(b) Discover the benefits to public health, the environment or the economy of consuming or otherwise using a commodity;

(c) Develop better and more efficient production, harvesting, irrigation, processing, transportation, handling, marketing and uses of a commodity;

(d) Control or eradicate hazards to a commodity, including but not limited to hazards from animals, pests and plants;

(e) Develop viable alternatives for the rotation of crops;

(f) Determine new or potential demand for a commodity and develop appropriate market development strategies for capturing that demand; and

(g) Measure the effectiveness of marketing, advertising or promotional programs.

(12) Gather, publicize and disseminate information that shows the importance of the consumption or other use of a commodity to public health, the environment, the economy and the proper nutrition of children and adults.

(13) Further the purposes of this section by funding scholarships for or providing financial assistance to persons or entities interested in a commodity.

(14) Adopt rules in accordance with ORS Chapter 183 for carrying out the duties, functions and powers of the commission. [2003 c.604 § 8 (enacted in lieu of 576.305)]

[1953 c.489 § 20; 1957 c.447 § 13; 1959 c.596 § 12; repealed by 2003 c.604 § 7 (576.304 enacted in lieu of 576.305)]