This state shall not be obligated to pay, nor shall it pay for such ferry service, whether furnished by the facilities owned, acquired or operated by the state jointly or under contract with others, any sum in excess of 50 percent of the total cost of the service. The Department of Transportation may pay Oregon's part of the cost of the ferry service out of state highway funds in the same manner that other disbursements are made out of such funds.
ORS 384.420