Oregonians love trails! More than 80% of Oregonians report using local trails, so of course we want our state legislators to partner in the work to keep trails open and build the trails we envision for our communities.
During the 2025 Legislative Session, Oregon Trails Coalition's top priorities are to:
Pass a Lasting Legislative Fix to Recreational Immunity. Recreational Immunity refers to laws that encourage public and private landowners to open their land to the public free of charge by providing basic liability protections. Access to nature and outdoor recreation provides so many benefits to individuals and communities. However, recreating in constantly changing outdoor environments also carries possible risk of injury. Without recreational immunity, landowners fear the real risk of expensive lawsuits and cannot afford to keep their trails and lands open to the public. In 2024, Oregon Trails Coalition and our partners successfully passed temporary legislation to shore up Oregon's recreational immunity law through the end of this year. Now we're seeking lasting protections through SB 179. SB 179 removes the sunset from the current law. Coalition Testimony.
See Oregon Trails Coalition's Testimony and contact your state legislators with your support!
Address the Funding Shortfall for Oregon Community Paths. Oregonians want alternatives to walking, biking, running, and skating on high-traffic roadways! We must address the funding shortfall for ODOT's Oregon Community Paths program as part of a safe, green, fairly-funded transportation funding measure. Oregon Trails Coalition is proud to be a steering committee member of the Move Oregon Forward campaign, as we advocate for $50 Million/year in state funding for Oregon Community Paths to help meet local demand for off-street trail funding . If Oregonians are going to be asked to pay more for our transportation system, we believe that system should prioritize their safety, health, and choices in mobility!
There's no bill number yet, but it's never a bad time to contact your state legislators and ask them to address the funding shortfall for the Oregon Community Paths program as part of the larger transportation funding package.
Here's other legislation Oregon Trails Coalition is tracking and supporting this session:
Keep trail development efforts for Oregon Signature Trails projects like the Oregon Coast Trail and the Salmonberry Trail on track. Oregon Trails Coalition supports SB 929 as well as efforts to retain our State Trails Coordinator at OPRD and fund the Salmonberry Trail. Coalition testimony on SB 929.
Allocate General Funds to the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund through HB 2984. This program provides critical grants to conservation and recreation access projects and programs including trails. Coalition testimony on HB 2984.
Fix Oregon's waiver laws through HB 3140. Recent court rulings have effectively nullified Oregon liability waivers, impacting the accessibility and affordability of recreation and fitness for people across our state. Coalition testimony on HB 3140.
Direct the State Parks and Recreation Department to adopt certain equipment and noise standards for off-road vehicles instead of the other agencies through HB 2232. Coalition Testimony on HB 2232.
Collect new fees from the registration fees of some vehicles, like campers or motor homes, and an extra fee for RV trip permits to go into a new fund to help the Department of Transportation pay for towing and getting rid of abandoned RVs through HB 3209.
Authorize the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, the State Marine Board or the State Department of Agriculture to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with a local government or a local service district to perform aquatic invasive species inspections at check station through HB 2170
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