Authorized visitors could cross shared corners between public lands

A private landowner could not sue for trespass over a qualifying corner crossing. A corner crossing means walking from one public land parcel to another across a corner where they meet private land. Public land includes land owned by Oregon, local governments, or the United States, but excludes land held in federal trust for a federally recognized tribe. The person must be authorized to enter and remain on the public land, cause no physical harm to the owner's property, and not unreasonably interfere with its use or quiet enjoyment. The person crossing could not seek damages from the landowner for negligence or gross negligence arising from the crossing. The rule would not create a lasting right to cross private land. If enacted, the bill would take effect on passage.

The criminal-law definition of entering or staying unlawfully would exclude corner crossings that follow the bill's rules. The definition applies to the criminal statutes cited in the bill, which cover entering or staying unlawfully on property. The crossing must meet the rules in Section 1, including authorization to use the public land and limits on harm and interference. If enacted, the bill would take effect on passage.