Section 276.601 - Establishment of rates for minimum parking fees; exceptions; use of receipts; rules(1) No less than once per biennium, the Oregon Department of Administrative Services shall study and determine the typical market parking rate for any area in which there is a parking facility.(2) An agency responsible for leasing a space under ORS 276.594 and 276.595 shall establish a base rate for leasing a space at an amount no less than: (a) The amount calculated by the agency to produce revenues that are expected to cover the agency's costs to provide such parking facilities, including amounts necessary to operate, maintain and improve the parking facilities, to cover required depreciation and debt service expenditures and to offset any revenues lost through reductions or incentives under subsection (3) or (4) of this section; and(b) The typical market parking rate for the area, as determined by the department under subsection (1) of this section.(3) Subject to rules established by the department, and consistent with the policies under ORS 276.591, an agency may establish fees below the base rate, or provide reduced-cost or free parking: (a) For employees who have been issued a disabled person parking permit by the Department of Transportation and require the use of their vehicle in traveling to and from work;(b) For employees who have registered with and are participating in a carpool or vanpool;(c) For employees participating in a program which encourages the use of parking spaces in noncongested areas;(d) For motorcycles, bicycles and similar vehicles;(e) To reduce a public hardship to those transacting business with the state agency or using the state agency services, but not including state employees; or(f) Where conditions show that within the area there is no market or a reduced market for parking spaces.(4) The state agency that controls the parking facility retains funds collected under this section. Funds collected under this section must be first used to cover the costs of parking as provided under subsection (2)(a) of this section. Agencies are encouraged to use additional receipts obtained under this section to offer programs to incentivize employee carpooling, vanpooling, transit use or other alternative commuting to support the goals under ORS 276.591.(5) Subject to rules established by the department, an agency may establish fees in excess of the base rate for individually reserved parking spaces or parking spaces with greater desirability or quality.(6) The state agency may designate spaces within a parking facility that are not leased as available to the public as free or metered spaces.(7) Except as provided in this section, a state agency may not provide an employee with parking vouchers or reduced or free parking within a parking facility.Amended by 2021 Ch. 107, § 4, eff. 1/1/2022.