1. (1) Except as described in sections (2) and (3) of this rule, protests, requests for party status, and contested case proceedings are governed by Or Laws 2025, ch 575, section 2 and 3,and by OAR chapter 690, division 2. Except as provided in OAR 690-002-0235(4), if no protest on a proposed final order that is governed by these rules is timely received, by operation of law, the proposed final order shall become a final order on the date that is 33 days after the close of the time period for submitting a protest, with no further action required by the Department.

2. (2)

   1. (a) Only a record owner or occupant may protest the proposed cancellation. Where the record owner or occupant intends to rebut the presumption of forfeiture by claiming one or more of the grounds for rebuttal established in ORS 540.610(2) and as further defined in OAR 690-017-0800, or intends to establish an exemption from forfeiture under ORS 540.610(3)-(4) or ORS 540.612, grounds claimed for rebuttal or exemption shall be stated in the protest;
   2. (b) Where applicable, documentary evidence in support of the rebuttal as described in OAR 690-017-0800(3) shall be submitted with the protest.

3. (3)

   1. (a) On receipt of a protest claiming rebuttal or exemption and supporting documentary evidence, the Department shall review the evidence before referring the protest for hearing;
   2. (b)  Upon review of the rebuttal or exemption evidence, and subject to OAR 690-002-0235(2), the Department may either refer the protest for hearing, request more information, or notify the protestant(s) that the Department is withdrawing the proposed final order and closing the matter.
4. (4) Sections (1) - (3) of this rule do not apply to a notice of a cancellation proceeding if the notice results from an assertion of forfeiture included in a protest of a transfer application made under OAR chapter 690, division 380. The transfer applicant need not submit a protest of the notice of a cancellation proceeding in this circumstance.  The Department shall, subject to OAR 690-002-0235(2), refer the transfer protest(s) for hearing. The hearing on the transfer protest(s) shall include issues related to the notice of cancellation proceeding.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 536.025 & ORS 536.027

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 540.610 - 540.670, Or Laws 2025, ch 575, section 2 & Or Laws 2025, ch 575, section 3

History

WRD 3-2026, amend filed 03/20/2026, effective 04/01/2026
WRD 17-1990, f. & cert. ef. 9-27-90
WRD 12-1988, f. & cert. ef. 8-10-88