February 9, 2023 – Protect Oregon Recreation is thrilled to share that our bipartisan bill (SB 754) has been scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, February 15. We need the community’s help to generate as many written statements of support as possible, and now is the time to draft and submit! It’s crucial every recreation and fitness provider and enthusiast in Oregon take five minutes to showcase their support for liability waiver reform.
Recent court rulings have effectively nullified Oregon liability waivers, impacting the accessibility and affordability of recreation and fitness for people across our state. Oregon businesses are now paying significantly more for liability insurance than other western states. As a result, recreation and fitness providers are forced to either increase consumer costs or eliminate recreation options altogether. This will have a devastating effect on small businesses, rural communities and recreationists throughout the state. Without waiver reform, Oregon risks losing the tremendous societal and economic benefits recreation and fitness provide.
We appreciate your support of Oregon’s recreation and fitness organizations seeking to reform our state’s broken liability waivers. Protect Oregon Recreation has grown to over 100 members in our first month, and almost 1,400 concerned Oregonian’s have signed our petition. We’re off to a great start, but there’s a lot more work ahead of us.
How to Submit Testimony for the Record:
- Go to: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Testimony/SJUD/SB/754?area=Measures
- On the testimony submission form, choose meeting date “2/15/2023 1:00 PM” from the drop-down menu
- Select “SB 754” from the bill list
- Fill in the name, residence and email address fields
- Choose your position on this bill
- Provide your testimony (uploaded statement on letterhead preferred)
Here is a basic outline of what your written testimony could look like:
- Use the letter format inserted at the bottom of this email.
- Provide a brief introduction of you or your organization
- Organizations: If you have experienced any hardships due to the current liability situation in Oregon, insurance increase related or otherwise, speak to that – or explain why the issue is important to you.
- Individuals: Talk about why keeping Oregon recreation and fitness affordable and accessible is important to you
- Call out the need for Oregon to establish a balanced approach between personal responsibility and business accountability like all other Western states.
- If you have business letterhead, please submit your statement on it.
- Be proud and grateful, you are helping to create the version of Oregon you want live in.
If you need any help drafting your letter or have questions don’t hesitate to reach out to contact@protectoregonrec.org.
Letter Format
February 15, 2023
Senate Committee on Judiciary
900 Court Street NE
Salem, Oregon 97301
Re: SB 754 Recreational Liability Reform
Chair Prozanski and Members of the Committee:
[Statement Content]
Sincerely,
Name
Affiliation
