Except as provided in ORS § 734.310 for secured claims, the claims to be paid in full in delinquency proceedings prior to the payment of any other claims, and the order of payment, shall be:

(1) Expenses of administration of the delinquency proceedings and expenses of the Oregon Insurance Guaranty Association or similar organization in another state handling claims in accordance with ORS § 734.510 to 734.710;

(2) All claims under policies, including third party claims and claims under nonassessable policies for unearned premiums, and all claims by the Oregon Insurance Guaranty Association, the Oregon Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association or any similar organization in another state for payment of covered claims or contractual obligations;

(3) Claims legally due and owing by the insurer to the United States;

(4) If the insurer is domiciled in this state, compensation or wages actually owing to salaried employees other than officers of the insurer, for services rendered within three months prior to the commencement of the delinquency proceeding, but not exceeding $2,000 for each such employee;

(5) Claims legally due and owing by the insurer to this state; and

(6) Claims, including special deposit claims, owing to any person, including this state, that by the laws of this state is entitled to priority. [1967 c.359 § 290; 1977 c.793 § 7; 1983 c.223 § 1; 2001 c.974 § 3]