Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 404 § 404.270 — Reimbursement of public body for search and rescue by benefited persons;

Reimbursement of public body for search and rescue by benefited persons; amount; exceptions. (1) A public body that has authority to conduct search and rescue activities may collect an amount specified in this section as reimbursement for the cost of search and rescue activities when the public body conducts search and rescue activities for the benefit of hikers, climbers, hunters and other users of wilderness areas or unpopulated forested or mountainous recreational areas in this state. (2) The public body may collect moneys as authorized by this section from each person for whose benefit search and rescue activities are conducted. The public body may not collect more than $500 from an individual under this section and may not collect more than the actual cost of the search and rescue activities from all of the individuals for whose benefit the activities are conducted. (3) A public body may obtain reimbursement under this section only when: (a) Reasonable care was not exercised by the individuals for whose benefit the search and rescue activities are conducted; or (b) Applicable laws were violated by such individuals. (4) Any individual who is charged a fee for reimbursement under this section may appeal the charge or the amount of the fee to the public body that charged the fee. (5) For the purposes of subsection (3) of this section, evidence of reasonable care includes: (a) The individuals possessed experience and used equipment that was appropriate for the known conditions of weather and terrain. (b) The individuals used or attempted to use locating devices or cellular telephones when appropriate. (c) The individuals notified responsible persons or organizations of the expected time of departure and the expected time of return and the planned location or route of activity. (d) The individuals had maps and orienteering equipment and used trails or other routes that were appropriate for the conditions. (6) As used in this section, “public body” has the meaning given that term in ORS 174.109. [Formerly 401.590] EQUIPMENT AND SIGNALING DEVICES