Oregon legislation · 2026 Legislative Measures
Oregon HB4071: Relating to recreation; declaring an emergency.
Status: Failed, March 6, 2026
Digest: The Act says that an operator may require a person who does recreation to release the operator from some types of claims. Tells OBDD to study issues for the recreation industry and make a report. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.9). Provides that an operator may require an adult person who engages in a sport, fitness or recreational activity in various ways to release the operator from claims for ordinary negligence. Directs the Oregon Business Development Department to study recreation commerce and report to an appropriate committee or interim committee of the Legislative Assembly no later than December 15, 2026. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.
What the bill says
A bill FOR AN ACT Relating to recreation; and declaring an emergency. Whereas Oregonians and the Oregon economy benefit tremendously from this state's recreation and health and fitness industries; and Whereas Oregon's recreation and health and fitness providers offer safe and enjoyable access to outdoor and indoor recreation and health and fitness opportunities throughout this state and contribute significantly to the mental and physical health and well-being of Oregonians and visitors to this state…
From the introduced text, January 28, 2026:
A BILL FOR AN ACT Relating to recreation; and declaring an emergency. Whereas Oregonians and the Oregon economy benefit tremendously from this state's recreation and health and fitness industries; and Whereas Oregon's recreation and health and fitness providers offer safe and enjoyable access to outdoor and indoor recreation and health and fitness opportunities throughout this state and contribute significantly to the mental and physical health and well-being of Oregonians and visitors to this state; and Whereas local communities rely on the commerce associated with the recreation and health and fitness industries to strengthen their economies, create jobs and enhance their quality of life; and Whereas Oregon's tourism industry benefits greatly from the commerce associated with the recreation and health and fitness industries; and Whereas written recreational liability waivers are a proven, effective and widely accepted contractual tool for educating the public on the inherent risks of participating in recreation and health and fitness activities and for balancing the responsibilities of participants in inherently risky activities with the responsibilities of recreation and health and fitness providers; and Whereas certain state court decisions in Oregon have adopted a position that such contractual waivers are unenforceable, resulting in the withdrawal of insurance carriers from this state and increased costs and risks for recreation and health and fitness providers; and Whereas increased costs disproportionately …