Public Affairs

This bill includes an amendment to address recreational immunity brought to the forefront by a court case involving the City of Newport. This bill, regarding recreational immunity, expands the definition and list of activities that fall under recreational immunity and ensures that cities, counties, special government districts, etc., fall under this concept, which exempts them from lawsuits when they make lands available for recreational uses. While this is only a temporary fix, it will keep trails open this summer.

A work group will convene after this session and put together concepts that will create long-term fixes to recreational immunity going forward. These will be put into legislation during the 2025 Session, and OCVA will be looking to participate in that process.

OCVA has already played a core role in this discussion. Our representatives have spoken twice in hearings, helped strategize with a coalition of organizations interested in this issue, and been at the center of the conversation. We will continue to be an advocate for tourism and access to trails throughout the state. 

Learn more about the bill here, and sign up for our industry newsletter for the latest updates.

The Act Requires the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, the State Fish and Wildlife Commission and the Department of State Lands to implement the Ocean Policy Advisory Council recommendations to develop an adaptive management and social monitoring program to support marine reserves. It also appropriates money to the State Department of Fish and Wildlife to implement programs.

This bill was put together by labor groups and focuses on creating a road map for Offshore Wind Development off the Oregon Coast, through stakeholder engagement with existing industries, labor, tribes, environmental groups, the fishing fleet and others. This bill has garnered support from across the spectrum on this issue. OCVA is tracking it closely for opportunities of tourism industry input.

This bill started as a report on economic development efforts, then was changed to include a change in how applications for broadband grant programs are awarded to make up for COVID losses. This could have significant positive impacts on rural Oregon and coastal communities. It also includes funding for the Oregon State Fairgrounds in recovering from COVID impacts.

The Act funds cultural groups in Oregon and appropriates money to the Oregon Business Development Department to distribute to Oregon cultural organizations in response to the negative impact of COVID-19. 

This bill establishes a task force on micromobility (an alternative to driving that utilizes small transportation devices like bikes or scooters), which aligns with OCVA’s diversity, equity, inclusion and Mitigation, Adaptation and Resiliency goals. 

Appropriates moneys to Oregon Department of Administrative Services for distribution to Oregon Coast Visitors Association to be expended on various projects.

• Read OCVA’s one-page overview of HB 2909
• Read OCVA’s talking points for HB 2909
• Learn more about OCVA’s work on the Ocean Cluster Initiative

Appropriates moneys to Oregon Business Development Department for distribution for purposes related to outdoor recreation economy.

Allocates moneys to Oregon Business Development Department to develop and implement program to award grants to Oregon cultural organizations and support businesses in response to negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on organizations’ and businesses’ earned revenue.

Appropriates moneys from General Fund to State Parks and Recreation Department for continued development of Oregon Coast Trail.

• Learn more from the Oregon Trails Coalition

Provides that operator may require person who engages in sport, fitness or recreational activity in various ways to release operator from claims for ordinary negligence.

• Learn more from Protect Oregon Recreation
• Sign the petition to support Oregon recreation