Oregon’s ski and outdoor industries face liability and insurance challenges
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Lawmakers in Salem are debating two competing bills aimed at addressing liability and insurance concerns for Oregon's ski and outdoor recreation industries. Senate Bill 1517 and Senate Bill 1593 both seek to regulate how liability is handled as operators face rising insurance costs.
The legislative push comes as many recreation providers shift rising insurance expenses to consumers. Oregon currently does not recognize liability waivers, a factor that has placed significant financial burdens on the state's recreation industry. This shift in costs has made some outdoor activities unaffordable for many residents.
Senate Bill 1517 would change the existing liability rules but includes nearly seven exemptions. These exemptions would push legal liability back onto the operators rather than the participants. The bill has already passed the Senate and has moved to the House for further consideration.
Senate Bill 1593 takes a broader approach by allowing operators to be released from claims of ordinary negligence. This competing measure is currently being held in the Senate Rules Committee. While both bills address the same industry, their methods of handling liability differ in scope.
Jordan Elliot serves as the president of the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association. He said the current legislative environment has created a difficult situation for those looking to enter the industry.
"I think complicated is an understatement," Elliot said. "I think it's a real crisis of how we're incentivizing the next generation to want to be the new leaders in this economy and take on that risk."
Elliot noted that ski areas have spent the last 10 years dealing with these financial and legal pressures. He described the industry as a precursor for what other recreation sectors might face.
"It's good to see that there's, there's competing bills actually on this, because it means the legislature is finally taking this seriously after the ski areas have been kind of the canary in the coal mine for the last decade," Elliot said.
The legislative debate highlights Oregon's unique position regarding liability. Most other states currently recognize liability waivers for recreation businesses, but Oregon does not. This lack of recognition has contributed to the financial and physical burdens reported by industry operators.
Senate Bill 1517 will now move through the House. Senate Bill 1593 remains in the Senate Rules Committee awaiting further action.
