SALEM -- Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Katy Coba has signed into law a commodity commission oversight fee increase.

The increase allows the department to fund commission oversight solely with fees. The program previously has been subsidized by general funds. Cash balances also were used during the 2009-11 biennium.

ODA oversees the workings of Oregon's 25 commodity commissions in part to shield commissions from legal challenges. The oversight allows commissions to use mandatory assessments for promotional campaigns under government speech protections.

Under the new formula, the minimum oversight fee charged commissions increases from $500 to $750. Oversight fees are capped at $35,000 under the new rule. The previous cap was $12,500.

The new formula takes effect July 1.

--Mitch Lies