justicedao/ipfs_state_laws huggingface dataset:
ORS Chapter 552 — Water Improvement Districts

ORS 552.625. Maximum rate of tax levy; procedure to change rate. (1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, a district shall not levy an ad valorem tax in any one year in excess of the maximum rate of levy authorized, which shall be stated in the petition for creation of the district, unless a change in the maximum rate is first approved by the electors. The rate of levy shall be stated in dollars and cents per thousand dollars of assessed value. (2) A maximum rate of levy fixed upon creation of the district may be increased or decreased by a majority of those voting on a proposed change at an election called for that purpose. An election on the question of a change shall be called by the district board upon a petition therefor signed by not less than 30 landowners. The question may be submitted to the electors on the motion of the board. (3) A maximum rate of levy fixed as provided by this section is in addition to and not in lieu of any other tax limit provided by law. However, all other tax limits are subordinate to the maximum rate fixed as provided by this section. Notwithstanding any other law, the district board shall not in any one year levy an ad valorem tax in excess of the rate, except when the tax is levied under ORS 552.623 (2) to pay principal and interest on district bonds outstanding. (4) A certified copy of the district board order declaring the results of an election approving a change in the maximum rate of levy under this section shall be filed for record.
ORS Chapter 552 — Water Improvement Districts

ORS 552.630. Service and user charges. (1) For the purpose of paying the costs of operation and maintenance of district works constructed under this chapter, the district board may by ordinance: (a) Impose and collect service charges on the owners or occupants of property served by the works of the district. (b) Impose and collect user charges, fees and tolls for use of works, facilities and services of the district. (2) Service or user charges shall be based on the cost of operation, maintenance and administration of the works, facilities or service.
ORS Chapter 552 — Water Improvement Districts

ORS 552.635. Levy to establish revolving fund; use of fund. For the purpose of establishing a revolving fund to provide money to finance the planning and construction of district works, a district board may levy an ad valorem tax of not to exceed in any one year three-twentieths of one percent (0.0015) of real market value of all taxable property within the district. The revenue derived from such taxes shall be credited to a revolving fund, and shall be disbursed by the district board and used only for the purpose for which levied.
ORS Chapter 552 — Water Improvement Districts

ORS 552.645. General obligation bonds. (1) For the purpose of carrying into effect any of the powers granted by this chapter, a district, when authorized at any properly called election held for the purpose, has the power to borrow money, and sell and dispose of general obligation bonds. Outstanding bonds shall never exceed in the aggregate two and one-half percent of the real market value of all taxable property within the district. (2) The bonds shall be issued from time to time by the district board in behalf of the district as authorized by the electors thereof. The bonds shall mature serially within not to exceed 50 years from issue date. However, for an indebtedness to the federal government or this state, the district may issue one or more bonds of the denominations agreed upon. Bonds shall bear interest at a rate payable semiannually as the board shall determine. The bonds shall be so conditioned that the district shall promise and agree therein to pay to the bearer at a place named therein, the principal sum, with interest at the rate named therein, payable semiannually, in accordance with the tenor and terms of the interest coupons attached. (3) For the purpose of additionally securing the payment of the principal and interest on general obligation bonds issued under this section, the district shall have the power, by resolution of the district, which resolution shall constitute part of the contract with the holders of the bonds, to pledge all or any part of the net revenue of the district. The district board may adopt such a resolution without submitting the question of the pledge to the electors of the district.
ORS Chapter 552 — Water Improvement Districts

ORS 552.655. Refunding bonds. Refunding bonds of the same character and tenor as those replaced thereby may be issued pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the district board without submitting to the electors the question of authorizing the issuance of the bonds.
ORS Chapter 552 — Water Improvement Districts

ORS 552.660. Process for issuance of bonds. All general obligation bonds, including refunding bonds, issued under ORS 552.645 to 552.660 shall be issued as prescribed in ORS chapter 287A.
ORS Chapter 552 — Water Improvement Districts

ORS 552.670. Loan contracts with state or federal agencies. (1) If authorized by its electors, a district may enter a loan contract with a state or federal agency. The loan contract shall be in such form and shall contain such terms as may be agreed upon by the agency and the district. The district may agree to levy assessments against each tract of land benefited, to do all acts and things necessary therefor, to assign to the lending agency the assessments as security for the loan and to perform all such acts within such period of time as may be agreed to between the district and the state or federal lending agency. (2) If a state or federal lending agency pays over money to a district pursuant to the terms of a loan contract and the district fails, refuses or neglects to levy the assessments, to obtain or prepare a benefit roll, to assign the assessments or in any other manner not to perform as it agreed to under the loan contract, the state or federal lending agency shall have the right, at its election, to apply to the circuit court for the county in which is located the largest part of the lands within the district for a writ of mandamus, or any other order or writ, to require the district, its directors, officers and agents to do such acts and things as the district agreed to do under the terms of the loan contract. All costs, charges and expenses pertaining to the issuance and execution of any such writ or order shall be charged to and collected from the lands subject to the assessments in addition to such assessments. (3) Upon the execution of a loan contract, the district shall file for record a certificate which shall state the date of the loan contract, the maximum amount of the loan, the recording data pertaining to the recorded order creating the district, the term of the loan and the rate of interest. Such certificate shall give notice that all lands within the district determined to be benefited by the construction of the works referred to in the engineering plan will be subject to assessments thereafter to be levied. [1969 c.606 25; 1991 c.459 430a] MISCELLANEOUS
ORS Chapter 552 — Water Improvement Districts

ORS 552.710. Subdistrict procedure; authority. (1) When a district has adopted a plan under ORS 552.403, subdistricts may be created as provided by this section. (2) Proceedings to create subdistricts, located totally or partially within or outside of a district, may be initiated by a petition of the landowners within the subdistrict. Except as otherwise provided by this section, the petition shall fulfill the same requirements concerning the subdistrict as a petition is, by ORS 552.118, required to fulfill concerning the creation of the main district. The petition shall be filed with the county board of the county where the greater portion of land within the boundaries of the subdistrict is located, and shall be accompanied by an undertaking as provided by ORS 552.118. Proceedings to create a subdistrict shall conform in all things to the provisions relating to the creation of a district. However, the owners of 50 percent or more of the total acreage within the proposed subdistrict shall be required to sign the petition for the creation of a subdistrict. (3) If the county board adopts an order creating a subdistrict, the clerk of the county board shall give notice of the order to the district board. The district board of the main district is the governing board of each subdistrict of the district. For the purpose of qualifying to be a member of a district board, under ORS 552.208 (1), ownership of land within a subdistrict, regardless of the location of the subdistrict, is considered ownership of land within the district. The territory within one subdistrict may be included within another subdistrict or subdistricts. (4) After the creation of a subdistrict, proceedings in reference to a subdistrict shall in all matters conform to the provisions of this chapter applicable to districts. In all matters affecting only a subdistrict, provisions of this chapter applicable to a district apply to the subdistrict as though it were an independent district. (5) The petition for creation of a subdistrict shall include a statement of the amount or quantity of water for which the subdistrict desires to acquire the perpetual use and the amount of money the subdistrict is willing to pay therefor. Prior to the entry of a judgment creating a subdistrict, the county board shall be furnished the verified consent of the district board to furnish such perpetual use of water for the purposes specified to the subdistrict at a price and upon the terms mentioned in the petition.
ORS Chapter 552 — Water Improvement Districts

ORS 552.720. Dissolution of irrigation, drainage or water control district and transfer of assets and liabilities to water improvement district. (1) Any district organized or operating under ORS chapter 545, 547 or 553 may dissolve and transfer its property and other assets and liabilities to a water improvement district which will undertake to furnish service to the inhabitants of the dissolving district. (2) Except as provided by this section, dissolution, liquidation and transfer proceedings shall be conducted as provided by ORS 198.920 to 198.955. (3) When a petition is filed or a resolution is adopted initiating dissolution proceedings, the governing board of the dissolving district and the district board of the water improvement district shall meet with each other to agree on a debt distribution plan to be voted upon as a part of the proposal. The debt distribution plan may provide for any distribution of indebtedness between the water improvement district and the dissolving district. If the boards do not agree on a debt distribution plan or if the area within the dissolving district remains liable under the plan for any portion of the indebtedness outstanding at the time of the dissolution and transfer, the district board of the water improvement district shall be ex officio board of the dissolved district for the purpose of levying taxes or collecting charges in such area until the bonded and other indebtedness of the dissolved district is paid. (4) The consent of all the known holders of valid indebtedness against the dissolving district shall be obtained or provision made in the debt distribution plan for the payment of the nonassenting holders. The area within the boundaries of the dissolving district shall not by reason of the dissolution and transfer be relieved from liabilities and indebtedness previously contracted by the dissolving district. (5) If the dissolution is approved at an election in accordance with the law applicable to the dissolving district, the governing body of the dissolving district shall convey to the water improvement district all assets of the dissolving district after paying and discharging the debts and obligations to, or procuring releases from the nonassenting holders, in accordance with the debt distribution plan.
ORS Chapter 552 — Water Improvement Districts

ORS 552.740. Notice requirements. When notice is required by this chapter to be given by publication, the notice shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the district, or if there is no such newspaper, in a newspaper of general circulation in each county in which the district is located. Notice of a hearing to be held before the district board or the county board shall be published once each week for four consecutive weeks, making four publications, and the last publication shall be at least five days before the date set for the hearing. All other notices required to be published under this chapter shall be published once each week for two consecutive weeks, making two publications, and the last publication shall be at least five days before the date of the event for which the notice is given. This section does not apply to provision of notice for an election.
ORS Chapter 552 — Water Improvement Districts

ORS 552.750. Election laws applicable. (1) ORS chapter 255 governs the following: (a) The nomination and election of directors. (b) The conduct of all district elections. (2) The electors of a district may exercise the powers of the initiative and referendum regarding a district measure, in accordance with ORS 255.135 to 255.205. [1983 c.350 302] BOUNDARY CHANGES
ORS Chapter 552 — Water Improvement Districts

ORS 552.810. Procedure for inclusion or exclusion of land in district. A petition for inclusion or exclusion of territory in a district may be filed without the approval of the district board indorsed on the petition. However, if the county board approves the petition and determines the boundaries, the district board shall call an election in the district for the purpose of submitting the proposal to the electors of the district.
ORS Chapter 552 — Water Improvement Districts

ORS 552.830. Date of election on dissolution of district. An election on dissolution may be held only on the same date as the regular district election.
ORS Chapter 552 — Water Improvement Districts

ORS 552.990. [Repealed by 1969 c.168 1] PENALTIES
ORS Chapter 552 — Water Improvement Districts

ORS 552.992. Penalties. Subject to ORS 153.022, violation of any regulation adopted under ORS 552.345 is a Class B violation. [1969 c.606 29(2); 1987 c.185 5; 1999 c.1051 198] _______________
ORS Chapter 561 — . State

ORS 561.005. Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise: (1) Board means the State Board of Agriculture. (2) Department means the State Department of Agriculture. (3) Director means the Director of Agriculture. [1959 c.639 2] ORGANIZATION; GENERAL FUNCTIONS AND ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS
ORS Chapter 561 — . State

ORS 561.010. Department created; director, appointment, confirmation and term. There is created a department of the government of this state to be known as the State Department of Agriculture. The executive officer of the department shall be the Director of Agriculture who shall execute all matters pertaining to the department, subject to policy direction by the State Board of Agriculture. The director shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate in the manner provided in ORS 171.562 and 171.565, and shall serve during the pleasure of the Governor.
ORS Chapter 561 — . State

ORS 561.020. Responsibility of department as to inspectional, regulatory and development work. (1) The State Department of Agriculture shall have full responsibility and authority for all the inspectional, regulatory and market development work provided for under the provisions of all statutes which the department is empowered and directed to enforce. (2) The department shall encourage and work toward long-range planning to develop and promote the agricultural resources of Oregon that they may contribute as greatly as possible to the future economy of the state. (3) The Director of Agriculture shall coordinate any activities of the department related to a watershed enhancement project approved by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board under ORS 541.932 with activities of other cooperating state and federal agencies participating in the project. (4) The Director of Agriculture shall conduct any activities of the department in a manner consistent with the goal set forth in ORS 468B.155.
ORS Chapter 561 — . State

ORS 561.030. Seal; principal office; authority to acquire real property. (1) The State Department of Agriculture shall adopt an official seal. It shall maintain its principal office in the state capital at Salem. (2) The department may acquire and hold, by purchase, agreement or donation, real property or any rights or interest determined actually necessary by the department for: (a) The grading and inspection of any horticultural and agricultural products, or of any establishment or device used in the production or processing of horticultural and agricultural products; (b) The investigation and analysis of horticultural and agricultural products, including laboratories and greenhouse or field growing areas; and (c) The storage and maintenance of equipment, vehicles and supplies used by the department in carrying out any law under its jurisdiction. (3) The authority granted in subsection (2) of this section does not extend to real property used or to be used as the principal administrative office of the department. (4) As used in this section horticultural and agricultural products has the meaning for that term provided in ORS 632.900.
ORS Chapter 561 — . State

ORS 561.040. Organization. Subject to policy direction by the State Board of Agriculture, the Director of Agriculture shall organize and reorganize the work of the State Department of Agriculture.
ORS Chapter 561 — . State

ORS 561.050. Division chiefs. Subject to any applicable provisions of the State Personnel Relations Law, the chiefs of the divisions shall be appointed by the Director of Agriculture. [Amended by 1959 c.639 7]
ORS Chapter 561 — . State

ORS 561.060. Salaries and bonds of employees. (1) The Director of Agriculture shall execute bonds to the State of Oregon in the penal sum of $20,000, conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties of director. (2) Subject to any applicable provisions of the State Personnel Relations Law, the chiefs of divisions and other employees of the State Department of Agriculture shall receive such salaries and wages as the director determines. (3) The chiefs of divisions and other employees of the department designated by the director shall execute bonds to the state, conditioned upon the faithful performance of their duties, in such amounts as the director determines. [Amended by 1959 c.639 8]
ORS Chapter 561 — . State

ORS 561.070. Assistants and employees; appointment, classification and duties. (1) The Director of Agriculture may employ veterinarians, chemists, bacteriologists and other experts, inspectors, accountants, stenographers, clerks or other help necessary to carry out efficiently the work of the State Department of Agriculture. The director may assign duties and responsibilities to each officer and employee of the department. (2) The director may at any time designate or appoint any officer or employee of the department to act as assistant director of agriculture and may terminate such designation or appointment at any time, with or without cause. The assistant director of agriculture may perform such duties of the director as may be prescribed by the director. (3) If the director appoints any research analysts pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, two of such research analysts may be members of unclassified service as provided in ORS chapter 240.
ORS Chapter 561 — . State

ORS 561.075. Reports to director; publications. (1) The Director of Agriculture may call for such reports, statistics and information as the director may desire, from time to time, from any division chief or employee of the State Department of Agriculture. (2) The director may, from time to time, cause to be published and distributed to the public in pamphlet form, or such other form as the director may deem best, such information as the director may judge to be of assistance in carrying on any of the work or purposes for the administration or for the carrying on of which the department is established. (3) All printing of such reports, pamphlets or other literature shall be done by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services. (4) Unless otherwise provided by law, the State Department of Agriculture may establish charges for any publication produced by it as authorized by subsection (2) of this section. Such charges shall be in amounts sufficient to cover the costs of preparation, printing, mailing and handling of each publication. [Formerly 561.180]
ORS Chapter 561 — . State

ORS 561.080. [Amended by 1987 c.734 16; renumbered 561.362 in 2005]
ORS Chapter 561 — . State

ORS 561.090. [Renumbered
ORS Chapter 561 — . State

ORS 561.100. [Renumbered
ORS Chapter 561 — . State

ORS 561.110. Conferences between director and division chiefs; action by director. In conference with the chiefs of the divisions there shall be full and free discussion of the agricultural policies of the State Department of Agriculture, the administrative problems of divisions, the coordination of the departmental activities and methods for increasing the efficiency and reducing the cost of operation of the department. On the basis of these conferences the Director of Agriculture may take such steps as in the judgment of the director will increase the economy and efficiency of the department. The director shall give especial attention to the full utilization of stenographic, office and laboratory forces, automobiles and other equipment. The director may require that deputies and other employees do work for more than one division of the department and shall take such measures as may be necessary to avoid duplication of costs of transportation and maintenance.
ORS Chapter 561 — . State

ORS 561.120. [Repealed by 1959 c.639 14]
ORS Chapter 561 — . State

ORS 561.130. [Amended by 1957 c.479 1; 1959 c.639 9; 1971 c.281 1; 1977 c.198 3; 2005 c.24 3; renumbered
ORS Chapter 561 — . State

ORS 561.144. Department of Agriculture Service Fund; sources. (1) The State Treasurer shall establish a Department of Agriculture Service Fund, which shall be a trust fund separate and distinct from the General Fund. The State Department of Agriculture shall deposit all license and service fees paid to it under the provisions of the statutes identified in subsection (3) of this section in the Department of Agriculture Service Fund. The State Treasurer is the custodian of this trust fund, which shall be deposited by the treasurer in such depositories as are authorized to receive deposits of the General Fund, and which may be invested by the treasurer in the same manner as authorized by ORS 293.701 to 293.857. (2) Interest received on deposits credited to the Department of Agriculture Service Fund shall accrue to and become a part of the Department of Agriculture Service Fund. (3) The license and service fees subject to this section are those described in ORS