Senate committee advances bill to enforce waivers for ordinary-recreation injuries amid industry split

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday moved Senate Bill 15 17 as amended by the dash‑7 to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation after lengthy public testimony and debate. The amended bill would allow recreation operators to require liability releases from patrons for ordinary negligence suffered while performing the activity, while carving out multiple exceptions, including gross negligence, willful misconduct and injuries not sustained during the act of the activity.

“Senate Bill 15 17 will not help the situation,” Will Volpert, owner of Indigo Creek Outfitters and president of the Wild Rogue Outfitters Association, told the committee, arguing that the bill as drafted would not stabilize insurance markets or bring carriers back to Oregon. Volpert said insurance premiums for his business have tripled in five years and…