Bill > SB179

This bill modifies Oregon's landowner immunity laws by making several key changes to existing statutes. The bill expands the definition of "local government" to align with a broader statutory definition and updates terminology related to recreational activities, such as changing "horse" to "equine" and adding "walking, running, bicycling" to the list of recreational purposes. For large cities (with populations over 500,000), the bill maintains existing provisions that protect landowners, local governments, and nonprofit organizations from liability for personal injuries or property damage occurring on trails in public easements or unimproved rights of way. The legislation allows smaller local governments to opt into similar liability protections through local ordinances. The bill continues to preserve exceptions to immunity, such as for gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or activities involving strict liability. Additionally, the bill provides that these amended provisions will apply to personal injury, death, or property damage lawsuits filed on or after the effective date of the act, ensuring clear guidance for future legal proceedings involving landowner liability in recreational contexts.