SB 33 Increases food license fees

VOTE: NO – Signed into Law by Gov Brown on 07/19/2021
Status (overview) of bill: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Measures/Overview/SB33

This bill authorizes State Department of Agriculture to establish a total of 30% additional food safety program license fees for food commodities and meat processing for fiscal years beginning July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2023.

Fiscal Responsibility
Department of Agriculture may by rule increase a license fee beginning July 1, 2022, by no more than 15 percent of the amount of the license fee for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021; and beginning July 1, 2023, by no more than 15 percent of the amount of the license fee for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022, for a total of a 30% increase.

Free Markets
While restaurants are deciding whether they can survive the pandemic, the closures roll up to ranchers and food producers. Likewise increased fees rolls down to struggling restaurants and those struggling from unemployment. This is no time to raise fees.

HB 33 authorizes rules to increase the license fees listed:

ORS 603.025 – meat products
ORS 616.706 – food establishment
ORS 619.031 – animal food slaughtering and processing
ORS 621.072 – use of milk grade designation
ORS 621.166 – dairy products plant
ORS 621.266 – pasteurizer operator
ORS 625.180 – bakery or bakery distributor
ORS 628.240 – refrigerated locker plant
ORS 632.720 – egg handler
ORS 632.730 – commercial egg broker
ORS 635.030 – non-alcoholic beverage manufacturer