OAR 736-015-0035: Fee Waivers and Refunds

(1) The director, at the direction of the commission, may waive, reduce or exempt fees established in this division under the following conditions: (a) A person or group provides in-kind services or materials equal to or greater than the value of the applicable rate, as determined by criteria approved by the director; (b) Marketing or promotional considerations in alignment with agency mission and strategic priorities; (c) Traditional tribal activities in accordance with policy adopted by the Commission; (d) Reduced service levels at a park, campsite or other facility as determined by the park manager. (2) Reservation Facility Deposit Fee Waivers for individual primitive, tent, electric, full hook-up or horse camp campsites only: (a) The facility deposit fee is waived for Oregon residents who are foster families and adoptive foster families as defined in OAR 736-015-0006. The fee waiver is limited to the first campsite, and an adult care provider must be present with the foster children. All other fees apply. (b) The facility deposit fee is waived for Oregon residents who are U.S. veterans with a service connected disability or active duty U.S. military personnel as authorized by ORS 390.124. All other fees apply. (c) The person making the reservation must pay the non-refundable transaction fee at the time the reservation is made. This fee is not included in the fee waiver. (3) Overnight Rental Fee Waivers for individual primitive, tent, electric, full hook-up or horse camp campsites only: (a) The overnight rental fee is waived for foster families and adoptive foster families as defined in OAR 736-015-0006 who are Oregon residents. The fee waiver is limited to the first campsite, and an adult care provider with one or more foster children must be present. The overnight rental fee waiver is limited to no more than four nights total in a calendar month. All other fees and rules apply. (b) The overnight rental fee is waived for Oregon residents who are U.S. veterans with a service-connected disability or active duty U.S. military personnel on leave as authorized by ORS 390.124. The overnight rental fee waiver is limited to no more than four nights total in a calendar month. The qualifying veteran or active duty military personnel on leave must be present in the site to qualify for the waiver. All other fees and rules apply. (c) The director may waive the overnight rental fee for volunteer hosts traveling to or from an assignment at a park area. (4) Day Use Parking Permit Fee Waivers: (a) The day use parking permit fee is waived for all Oregon residents on State Parks Day (first Saturday of June). (b) The day use parking permit fee is waived for Oregon residents who are U.S. veterans with a service-connected disability or active duty U.S. military personnel on leave as authorized by ORS 390.124. (c) The day use parking permit fee is waived for foster families and adoptive foster families as defined in OAR 736-015-0006. The waiver shall be valid until the expiration date of the Certificate of Approval to Provide Foster Care or the adopted foster child turns 18 years of age. (d) All other fees apply. (5) Proof of Eligibility for Fee Waivers (a) The department will issue Veterans and Foster families who have provided the department valid proof of eligibility an OPRD Special Access Pass. Pass holders must use the pass to identify themselves as a qualified recipient of fee waivers at state park campgrounds and day use areas. They must also provide valid government-issued picture identification that matches the name on the pass. Proof of eligibility must be provided through an application process outlined on the Oregon State Parks website (b) The department will accept the following forms of proof to qualify for fee waivers as a U.S. veteran with a service-connected disability: (A) Disabled Veteran's license plate issued by the Oregon DMV; (B) A current Disabled Veteran Permanent Hunting/Angling License issued by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; (C) A United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) photo identification card bearing the words "service connected" and an Oregon-issued form of identification. (D) A letter issued by the VA stating eligibility for any of the above programs, or bearing the words "service-connected disability” and an Oregon issued form of identification. (c) The department will accept the following forms of proof to qualify for fee waivers as an adoptive foster family, as defined in OAR 736-015-0006, with an adopted foster child under 18 years of age or a foster family, as defined in OAR 736-015-0006: (A) Certificate of Approval to Maintain a Developmental Disability Child Foster Home; (B) Certificate of Approval to Maintain a Foster Home for Children; (C) Certificate of Approval to Maintain a Relative Home for Children; (D) Written certification from Department of Human Services or contracted vendor identifying the applicant as an adoptive or guardian foster family. (d) The department will not issue an Active Duty Military on official leave a Special Access Pass. Such customers must pay any applicable fee and may contact the department after their visit to request a refund. The department may request supporting documentation in the form of a letter from the commanding officer on official letterhead stating that the person was on leave for the dates they camped and the camping receipt. Refund requests must be received within 30 days after departure date of the stay. A refund of applicable fees will be sent within three weeks of the receipt of their valid request. (6) There will be no charge for issuing a Special Access Pass or renewing an expired pass. There will be a processing fee of $10.00 for replacement of a lost pass that is still valid. (7) The department may revoke or temporarily suspend an OPRD Special Access Pass issued under section (6) if: (a) The pass is used to waive fees beyond the allowable limits in a calendar month; (b) The pass holder does not occupy a site when fees have been waived under authority of their pass; or (c) The pass holder transfers their pass to another person to use. (8) Pass holders must cancel their reservation in accordance with the department reservation policy. Refunded nights will vary based on length reservation held, season and site type. Nights not cancelled will count toward the monthly limit. (9) Pass holders who make a reservation and do not check in at the park or notify park staff that they will be delayed, prior to 1:00 p.m. of the second day of the reservation, will be considered a “no show” and the entire reservation will be cancelled. The pass holder’s benefit will be reduced by the number of nights reserved in the applicable calendar month. (10) If a pass holder vacates their site one or more days prior to checkout without notifying park staff, any days remaining on the reservation will be counted against their monthly waiver limit. (11) A person may request a refund based on circumstances outlined in the reservation policy on the Oregon State Parks website.