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Senate committee hears broad support to restore recreational waiver enforceability and study outdoor economy
Summary
Lawmakers heard hours of proponent testimony for SB 15 93, the Oregon Recreation, Commerce and Affordability Act, which would allow adults to sign enforceable waivers for ordinary negligence and direct a statewide study of the recreation economy; sponsors said judges would still review waivers case by case and the bill is scheduled for a committee work session.
Representative Mari Watanabe, sponsor of SB 15 93 and a House member from District 34, opened the public hearing by saying the bill is her priority this session and urged the Senate Committee on Commerce and General Government to act.
Proponents — including outfitters, ski-area representatives, nonprofit stewards and trade groups — described a mounting insurance crisis they say began after a 2014 Oregon Supreme Court ruling. Eric Chancellor of the Protect Oregon Recreation Coalition summarized the bill's two parts: restoring enforceability for adult recreational liability waivers in ordinary-negligence cases and directing an economic study of the state's recreation sector. "The legislation will do two things. It will…
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