Oregon Outdoor Alliance 2026 Policy Agenda

Oregon Outdoor Alliance is the state’s outdoor business alliance (501(c)(3) nonprofit) with over 300 member brands, service providers, and individuals across 4 chapters (Portland, Bend, Hood River, and So. Oregon). Our mission is simple - To Connect and Cultivate Oregon’s Outdoor Industry. 

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Oregon’s Outdoor Recreation and Outdoor Gear & Apparel industries are key contributors to the state's GDP and employment with 5.3% of all jobs and more than $7.7B in payroll according to Oregon’s Outdoor Gear, Products, and Recreation 1859 Onward report (Business Oregon  Oct, 2023)

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OOA 2026 Oregon Policy Agenda 

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We Support

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Support Liability Waiver Reform for Outdoor Recreation, Sport, and Fitness Activities 

Oregon HB 4071 and SB 1593 Two identical ORCA (Oregon Recreation Commerce and Affordability Act bills) from both the House and Senate. 

Oregon’s ORCA bills are part of a bipartisan legislative effort in the 2026 session to reform recreational liability law, responding to a legal environment where liability waivers have become largely unenforceable after Oregon court decisions. Proponents argue this has led to skyrocketing insurance costs, insurers leaving the state, and increased operational risk for recreation, outdoor, and fitness businesses. The bills aim to put Oregon back in alignment with neighboring Western states’ liability standards, preserving access to recreation and supporting the outdoor economy.

Core Provisions of HB 4071 & SB 1593 (The two bills are substantively identical and companion bills in each chamber.)  

1. Restores Enforceability of Liability Waivers

• Allows operators of recreation, sport, and fitness activities (indoors and outdoors) to require adults (18 +) to sign liability waivers releasing the operator from claims of ordinary negligence related to participation.
• Waivers must not release operators from liability for gross negligence, reckless or intentional misconduct—only ordinary negligence can be waived.
• This is meant to provide legal clarity and help recreation providers obtain or reduce liability insurance costs.  

2. Economic Study Requirement

• Directs the Oregon Business Development Department (Business Oregon) to study the recreation economy, including:
  • economic benefits such as business and job creation, and tax revenues;
  • industry needs and potential economic development strategies;
  • challenges facing recreation providers of all types.
• The department must report to the Legislature by December 15, 2026.  

3. Emergency Clause

• Both bills contain an emergency declaration, meaning they would take effect immediately upon enactment if passed.

According to the OPRD’s 2022 Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in Oregon, Outdoor Recreation drives $16B in direct and indirect economic impact annually representing 192K jobs and $8.2Billion in wages in Oregon. Many of the companies that provide these services are at risk if we do not address this critical issue.  

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Support Funding for the Oregon Office of Outdoor Recreation per HB 3350

The Oregon Legislature created the Oregon Office of Outdoor Recreation in 2017 with the passage of House Bill 3350 and ORS 390.241. This legislation formally established the office within OPRD with the purpose of elevating outdoor recreation planning and coordination across the state. The office of Outdoor Recreation has not been funded by OPRD and we ask that OPRD be instructed to fund this critical office for Oregon's Recreation Economy and remain competitive with other Western states.  

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24 states now have an Office of Outdoor Recreation including; Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nevada and Utah who directly compete for Outdoor Recreation Industry businesses. These offices are critical to coordinating stakeholders and initiatives that support the overall Recreation Economy in each state.

At Governor Brown’s request, ORPD formed the Governors Task Force on Outdoor Recreation. That task force delivered a summary report which led to several state initiatives and legislation: ref 2020 Framework for Action. 

One of the outcomes from the Framework for Action was a matching grant for Outdoor Gear & Apparel related membership and accelerator organizations (HB 3410) which among other elements, allocated grants to be used for capacity building and technical assistance to grow Oregon’s Outdoor Gear & Apparel industry.  The bill allocated $500,000 in one-time lottery funds for this purpose during the 2023–2025 biennium. Those funds impacted over 30 early and growth stage Outdoor Brands as well as workforce development programs in the form of scholarships and internships for UofO, OSU, and COCC. 

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Support Oregon Economic Development Strategy

• Connect OOA with Oregon Prosperity Roadmap to inform stakeholders about the importance of Outdoor related businesses to the state's economy. 
• Advocate for Outdoor Gear & Apparel as a focus industry. 
• Inform members of Governors Prosperity Council about OOA and Outdoor Industry priorities. 

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Support HB 4084 : Governor Kotek’s prosperity package

Oregon House Bill 4084 is a legislative proposal introduced at the request of Governor Tina Kotek designed to jump-start her Prosperity Roadmap — a broader strategy aimed at strengthening Oregon’s economy, retaining and growing local businesses, and creating jobs.  

The bill focuses on modernizing economic development tools, speeding up bureaucratic processes, and making Oregon more competitive for business investment.  

Support SB 1586: Oregon Jobs Act  

Expands R&D credit, allows for capital investment abatements, improves E-Zones, allows use of industrial sites in Washington County. 

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We Oppose:

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SB 1517: Modifies provisions relating to liability related to skiing

We oppose this bill as it does not address any of the waiver enforcement or insurance issues of trails-related organizations; it does not include minor releases, and we are concerned about the precedent set of the requirement to sign natural hazards not readily visible from a distance of 100 feet.

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