Delta Logistics, Inc. v. Employment Department Tax Section
Delta Logistics, Inc. v. Employment Department Tax Section
Opinion of the Court
In this petition for judicial review, Delta Logistics, a “for-hire” interstate motor carrier, challenges an order of an administrative law judge (ALJ) for the Office of Administrative Hearings upholding the Employment Department’s assessments of unemployment insurance taxes based on payments that Delta made to owner-operator truck drivers for the audit period from the third quarter of 2009 through the fourth quarter of 2010. We review the AL J’s order for substantial evidence and errors of law, ORS 183.482(8)(a); ORS 657.684 (providing for judicial review as in review of orders in contested cases in ORS chapter 183), and reverse the assessments.
The department’s tax assessments are prima facie correct, ORS 657.683(4), and an entity challenging an assessment has the burden to establish that it was not the employer of the person performing the services or that the payments subject to the assessment are excluded from taxation for some other reason. Mitchell Bros. v. Emp. Div., 284 Or 449, 451, 587 P2d 475 (1978).
The facts are largely undisputed. Delta is a for-hire carrier as defined in ORS 825.005(7)(a),
Delta’s agreements with owner-operators consisted of two documents:
In upholding the department’s assessments, the ALJ determined that the services provided to Delta by the owner-operators
Delta asserted that the services provided by its owner-operators were not employment under ORS 657.047,
The ALJ nonetheless concluded that the ORS 657.047 exemption was not applicable because Delta’s agreement with the owner-operators did not constitute a “lease” of the vehicle to Delta, as required by that statute. In the absence of a definition for “lease” in ORS chapter 657, the ALJ applied the “ordinary” meaning of the term. See PGE v. Bureau of Labor and Industries, 317 Or 606, 611, 859 P2d
The ALJ rejected Delta’s contention that the legislative history of ORS 657.047 shows an intention to give “lease” an industry-specific meaning different from its ordinary meaning. See Zimmerman v. Allstate Property and Casualty Ins., 354 Or 271, 280, 311 P3d 497 (2013) (when a term has acquired a specialized meaning in a particular industry or profession, the court assumes that the legislature used the term consistently with that specialized meaning). The ALJ reasoned that usage in the trucking industry did not have any bearing on Oregon’s unemployment insurance taxation scheme and concluded Delta had not met its burden to show that the Oregon legislature intended a specialized rather than ordinary meaning for the term “lease.”
But the ALJ nonetheless reasoned that, even under the trucking industry definition of “lease,” Delta’s agreements with owner-operators were not sufficient to qualify for the ORS 657.047 exemption. The ALJ noted that 49 CFR section 376.2(e), which applies to interstate motor carriers, defines a lease as “[a] contract or arrangement in which the owner grants the use of equipment, with or without driver, for a specified period to an authorized carrier for use in the regulated transportation of property, in exchange for compensation.” The ALJ cited federal regulations that require that a lease of equipment to a motor carrier for interstate transport transfer “exclusive possession and control” of the equipment in exchange for compensation. 49 CFR § 376.12(c)(1). The ALJ concluded that Delta’s agreement
On judicial review, Delta challenges the ALJ’s interpretation of ORS 657.047. Instead of making a textual argument, Delta asserts that the ALJ’s interpretation is inconsistent with the statute’s legislative history, which, Delta continues to argue, shows an intention to apply the meaning of “lease” as it is understood within the interstate trucking industry. Delta notes that the federal regulation’s definition of “lease,” 49 CFR section 376.2(e), does not include an explicit requirement for a transfer of possession and control of the equipment. But, Delta neglects to mention the other regulations that do impose such a requirement. For example, 49 CFR section 376.12 requires that a lease “provide that the authorized carrier lessee shall have exclusive possession, control, and use of the equipment for the duration of the lease.” Delta does not explain how, if at all, the federal requirement for “exclusive possession, control, and use” differs substantively from the definition of lease applied by the ALJ. Instead, Delta asserts that its leases necessarily complied with ORS 657.047 because they have been approved for intrastate and interstate transport by state and federal regulatory authorities.
With respect to the issue of compensation for use of the vehicle, Delta asserts that the documents must be considered in their entirety and that, when so construed, they unambiguously provide compensation to the owner-operators for the driver’s services and for the use of the vehicles.
Finally, Delta contends that, if and to the extent that the documents are “defective” because they do not contain all of the elements required for a lease, it is the nature of the underlying relationship that controls, as shown through the documents interpreted as a whole and evidence extrinsic to the documents presented at the hearing. Delta contends that that evidence shows that its relationship with the owner-operators qualifies as a lease under Oregon law.
We have previously construed ORS 657.047. In 3P Delivery, Inc. v. Employment Dept. Tax Section, 254 Or App 180, 183, 295 P3d 83 (2012), we said that the exemption of ORS 657.047 applies
“when a person (1) leases their equipment to a for-hire carrier; (2) performs transportation services for that for-hire carrier; and (3) personally operates, furnishes and maintains the equipment.”
Here, there is a statutory definition of lease that the department asserts applies. The definitions of the Uniform Commercial Code — Leases, contained in ORS chapter 72A, apply “to any transaction, regardless of form, that creates a lease,” “unless context requires otherwise.” ORS 72A.1020(1); ORS 72A.1030(1). ORS 72A.1030(1)(j), in turn, defines a lease as “a transfer of the right to possession and use of goods for a term in return for consideration.” “Goods” are defined as “all things that are movable at the time of identification to the lease contract[.]” ORS 72A.1030(1)(h). As Delta points out, Oregon enacted the UCC definition of “lease” two years after it enacted ORS 657.047 and, for that reason, ORS 72A.1030(1)(j) does not shed light on the legislature’s intentions with respect to the meaning of “lease” in ORS 657.047. But trucks are “goods” within the meaning of ORS 72A.1030(1)(h), and it would appear that ORS 72A.1030(1)(j) therefore applies to the transaction described as a lease in ORS 657.047, unless context requires otherwise. ORS 72A.1030(1).
Delta asserts that “context requires otherwise,” because the legislative history shows an intention to apply
But that does not resolve the question whether, as a textual matter, the definition of lease in ORS 72A.1030(1)(j) can logically apply in the context of ORS 657.047. Is there an inherent conflict in defining “lease” to require a
We conclude further that Delta’s agreements with the owner-operators are properly construed to include a transfer of legal possession and use in return for consideration. No particular words are necessary to create a lease. See Port of Coos Bay v. Dept. of Rev., 298 Or 229, 234, 691 P2d 100 (1985) (“If the agreement grants sufficient control over the premises to fulfill the requirement of possession, a leasehold interest is created.”). The “lease agreement” states
But, the department is correct that the parties’ agreement must be construed as a whole to determine whether the parties intended to create a lease that transferred to Delta an interest sufficient to constitute a lease under ORS 657.047. Sproul, 226 Or at 403 (“The mere fact that the parties describe an instrument as a lease does not conclusively establish the existence of a leasehold interest.”); Thomas, 225 Or at 552. See Strandholm v. Barbey, 145 Or 427, 441, 26 P2d 46 (1934) (in determining the intention of the parties, courts construe “the whole mass of words and not merely some of them”); Logan v. D. W. Sivers Co., 343 Or 339, 347, 169 P3d 1255 (2007) (the substance of an agreement, not its label, determines its legal effect); Eggen et ux. v. Wetterborg et al., 193 Or 145, 153, 237 P2d 970 (1951) (“Such construction should be given the agreement, if possible, as will render all of its clauses harmonious, so as carry into effect the actual purpose and intention of the parties as derived from them.” (citing Dellwo v. Edwards, 73 Or 316, 323, 144 P 441 (1914))).
It is true, as the ALJ found and as the department contends, that, although the lease agreement states that it is a lease and that it “leases” the vehicle to Delta, it does not explicitly transfer legal possession, control, and use of the vehicle to Delta. Nor does the Owner Operator Contract include a requirement for the transfer of legal possession, control, and use. Further, although the Owner Operator Contract includes provisions for remuneration, there is no separate allocation of compensation for use of the equipment. Additionally, as noted, the lease agreement contains a curious provision requiring the lessor to pay rental of $1 per month to Delta. But, considering the “whole mass” of words of both the lease agreement and the Owner Operator Contract, Strandholm, 145 Or at 441, we reject the ALJ’s conclusion that it can only be construed as creating a lease
Given the agreement’s ambiguity, it must be interpreted in light of the surrounding circumstances so as to effectuate the parties’ intentions. National Union Fire Ins. Co. v. Starplex Corp., 220 Or App 560, 576, 188 P3d 332 (2008); ORS 42.220 (“In construing an instrument, the circumstances under which it was made, including the situation of the subject and of the parties, may be shown so that the judge is placed in the position of those whose language the judge is interpreting.”); see also ORS 72A.1030(1)(k) (defining a “lease agreement” as “the bargain, with respect to the lease, of the lessor and the lessee in fact as found in the language or by implication from other circumstances including course of dealing or usage of trade or course of performance as provided in this chapter”).
It is undisputed that the parties’ intentions were to enter into a relationship that complied with the requirements relating to the lease of vehicles by interstate motor carriers, so that the owner-operators could transport goods under Delta’s interstate motor carrier license.
The ALJ also concluded that Delta’s agreements with the owner-operators did not qualify as leases because
The department contends that the ALJ’s order should be affirmed as to those owner-operators who did not drive the vehicles themselves but who hired drivers, because of the requirement in ORS 657.047 that the owner-operator “personally” operate the vehicle. In the department’s view, the exemption is inapplicable to services provided by persons who are hired by owner-operators.
Once again, we consider the statutory text:
“(1) As used in this chapter, ‘employment’ does not include:
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“(b) Transportation performed by motor vehicle for a for-hire carrier by any person that leases their equipment to a for-hire carrier and that personally operates, furnishes and maintains the equipment and provides service thereto.
*513 “(2) For the purposes of this chapter, services performed in the operation of a motor vehicle specified in subsection (1) of this section shall be deemed to be performed for the person furnishing and maintaining the motor vehicle.”
ORS 657.047 (emphasis added). In the department’s view, the italicized text means that the exemption is available only when an owner-operator “personally” operates the leased vehicle, i.e., the owner-operator is also the driver. The department contends that ORS 657.047(2) must be read in that context and does not create an exception to ORS 657.047(1)(b) — it simply clarifies that an owner-operator who personally performs services in operation of the vehicle performs them for him or herself, rather than for the for-hire carrier. Thus, in the department’s view, the two subsections read together do not contemplate an exemption from employment if the owner-operator does not personally operate the vehicle. Under the department’s interpretation, if an owner-operator leases several trucks to a for-hire motor carrier for interstate transport and maintains them but provides hired drivers for their operation, the exemption does not apply and the drivers are employees of the for-hire motor carrier, assuming that the circumstances otherwise give rise to an employment relationship under ORS 657.040.
Delta responds that, if the person who performs the services in operation of a motor vehicle under ORS 657.047(2) must be the same person who leases the vehicle to the for-hire carrier under ORS 657.047(1)(b), then there is no reason for ORS 657.047(2) or for its separate reference to “services performed in operation of a motor vehicle.” In Delta’s view, ORS 657.047(2) implicitly recognizes that a driver may not always be the same person as the owner-operator, and expresses the intention that the exemption apply when other persons are hired by an owner-operator to perform service in operation of a motor vehicle.
Both the department’s and Delta’s interpretations are plausible. A literal reading of the statute could mean, as the department contends, that a person who “performs services in operation of a motor vehicle” under ORS 657.047(2) is necessarily the owner-operator who personally operates the vehicle. But, viewing the two subsections of ORS 657.047
In view of our conclusion that the transportation services provided to Delta by owner-operators or their hired drivers were exempt from employment by Delta under ORS 657.047, we need not address Delta’s additional contention that the AL J erred in concluding that the services provided by the owner-operators were exempt from employment under ORS 657.040(1), as services provided by independent contractors.
Assessments for the third quarter of 2009 through the fourth quarter of 2010 based on remuneration paid to drivers reversed and remanded; otherwise affirmed.
ORS 825.005(7) provides:
“‘For-hire carrier’ means:
“(a) Any person who transports persons or property for hire or who publicly purports to be willing to transport persons or property for hire by motor vehicle; or
“(b) Any person who leases, rents or otherwise provides a motor vehicle to the public and who in connection therewith in the regular course of business provides, procures or arranges for, directly, indirectly or by course of dealing, a driver or operator therefor.”
49 USC section 14102(a) provides:
“General authority of Secretary. The Secretary may require a motor carrier providing transportation subject to jurisdiction under subchapter I of chapter 135 [49 USCS section 13501] that uses motor vehicles not owned by it to transport property under an arrangement with another party to—
“(1) make the arrangement in writing signed by the parties specifying its duration and the compensation to be paid by the motor carrier;
“(2) carry a copy of the arrangement in each motor vehicle to which it applies during the period the arrangement is in effect;
“(3) inspect the motor vehicles and obtain liability and cargo insurance on them; and
“(4) have control of and be responsible for operating those motor vehicles in compliance with requirements prescribed by the Secretary on safety of operations and equipment, and with other applicable law as if the motor vehicles were owned by the motor carrier.”
49 CFR section 376.11(a) provides that an authorized carrier may perform authorized transportation in equipment that it does not own through “a written lease granting the use of the equipment and meeting the requirements contained in § 376.12.” 49 CFR section 376.12 provides, in turn:
“[T]he written lease required under § 376.11(a) shall contain the following provisions. The required lease provisions shall be adhered to and performed by the authorized carrier.
“(a) Parties — The lease shall be made between the authorized carrier and the owner of the equipment. The lease shall be signed by these parties or by their authorized representatives.
“(b) Duration to be specific — The lease shall specify the time and date or the circumstances on which the lease begins and ends. These times or circumstances shall coincide with the times for the giving of receipts required by § 376.11(b).
“(c) Exclusive possession and responsibilities—
“(1) The lease shall provide that the authorized carrier lessee shall have exclusive possession, control, and use of the equipment for the duration of the lease. The lease shall further provide that the authorized carrier lessee shall assume complete responsibility for the operation of the equipment for the duration of the lease.
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“(4) Nothing in the provisions required by paragraph (c) (1) of this section is intended to affect whether the lessor or driver provided by the lessor is an independent contractor or an employee of the authorized carrier lessee. An independent contractor relationship may exist when a carrier lessee complies with 49 U.S.C. 14102 and attendant administrative requirements.
“(d) Compensation to be specified — The amount to be paid by the authorized carrier for equipment and driver’s services shall be clearly stated on the face of the lease or in an addendum which is attached to the lease. * * * The amount to be paid may be expressed as a percentage of gross revenue, a flat rate per mile, a variable rate depending on the direction traveled or the type of commodity transported, or by any other method of compensation mutually*502 agreed upon by the parties to the lease. The compensation stated on the lease or in the attached addendum may apply to equipment and driver’s services either separately or as a combined amount.”
All of Delta’s agreements were substantively identical to the sample documents in the record to which we refer.
The lease agreement stated:
“The lessor [owner operator] does hereby lease and let into the lessee the following vehicle [.] ”
But, curiously, the lease agreement provided for the owner-operator’s “rental” payment of $1 per month to Delta, “for the vehicle listed ⅜⅜⅜ running lessee’s authority * * * until lessor receives own authority to operate as a for hire carrier.”
The contract described the owner-operator’s remuneration as “90% of gross revenue, if using Carrier’s authorities & plus insurance!.]”
The order also upheld assessments of unemployment tax for wages paid to dispatchers and office workers. Delta does not dispute those aspects of the assessments on judicial review.
ORS 657.040(1) provides:
“Services performed by an individual for remuneration are deemed to be employment subject to this chapter unless and until it is shown to the satisfaction of the Director of the Employment Department that the individual is an independent contractor, as that term is defined in ORS 670.600.”
ORS 657.105(1) defines “wages” as
“all remuneration for employment, including the cash value, as determined by the Director of the Employment Department under the regulations of the director, of all remuneration paid in any medium other than cash.”
ORS 657.025(1) defines “employer” as
“any employing unit which employs one or more individuals in an employment subject to this chapter in each of 18 separate weeks during any calendar year, or in which the employing unit’s total payroll during any calendar quarter amounts to $1,000 or more.”
ORS 657.047 provides, in part:
“(1) As used in this chapter, ‘employment’ does not include:
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“(b) Transportation performed by motor vehicle for a for-hire carrier by any person that leases their equipment to a for-hire carrier and that personally operates, furnishes and maintains the equipment and provides service thereto.
“(2) For the purposes of this chapter, services performed in the operation of a motor vehicle specified in subsection (1) of this section shall be deemed to be performed for the person furnishing and maintaining the motor vehicle.”
Delta also contends that, because its relationship with owner-operators complies with state and federal trucking regulations, it should necessarily be
Senator Lenn Hannon, a sponsor of the bill ultimately enacted as ORS 657.047, agreed with a Conference Committee staff member’s characterization of the term “lease” as “a legal term of art” that has “a different meaning than the word ‘lease’ like if you were going to rent an apartment.” Tape Recording, Conference Committee, HB 3283, June 23,1987, Tape 1, Side A (statement of Sen Lenn Hannon).
The federal regulation also requires a transfer of “control.” 49 CFR § 376.12(c)(1).
They further require that the lessee “exercise exclusive supervision and control” of the leased vehicle. OAR 740-045-0100(3); OAR 740-045-0110(3) (emphasis added).
The department has conceded that Delta’s agreements with its owner operators satisfied federal requirements for the lease of a vehicle by interstate motor carriers.
We note that federal regulations permit the payment to be stated as a percentage of revenue and “either separately or as a combined amount.” 49 CFR § 376.12(d) (279 Or App at 501 n 3).
The ALJ did not reach this issue, having concluded that the exemption did not apply because of the lack of a lease. Delta contends that the department conceded the issue before the ALJ and that it is not preserved, but our review of the record shows that the department did raise the issue before the ALJ and did not concede it. Thus, we address it as a possible alternate basis for affirmance.
Those drivers could, however, be the employees of the owner-operators who hired them.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- DELTA LOGISTICS, INC. v. EMPLOYMENT DEPARTMENT TAX SECTION
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- 7 cases
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- Published