Protect Oregon Recreational Immunity

A legal ruling and opinion in 2023 (Fields v. City of Newport) on "recreational immunity", a law that protects landowners from liability, resulted in a number of public access closures along beaches and trails managed by cities and counties along the coast. Following an interim legislative solution in 2024, a more permanent solution was sought during the 2025 session by multiple lawmakers.

Surfrider collaborated with a broad coalition to support the best solution for expanding the definition of Oregon's recreational immunity law to best accommodate continued public access to our most treasured coastal places! This included legal research and review of other state immunity laws, public testimony and outreach to legislators and ongoing collaboration with a broader group of public and private stakeholders and interests. A huge thanks to all our partners who submitted testimony and shared their support for the bill with legislators!

Ultimately, SB 179 made a few key changes to Oregon's law specifying the types of activities that qualify as recreation under the immunity law and where those apply to public and private landowners. The bill is critical in ensuring free and open access for future generations to Oregon's beaches, trails and special outdoor places!