there was the revised statute in 1995 that says charges can be made in cases of negligence, not sure about law-breaking. Here's the details, kind of interesting if you are a climber:
401.590 Reimbursement of public body for search and rescue by benefited persons; amount; exceptions. (1) A public body may collect an amount specified in this section as reimbursement for the cost of search and rescue activities when the public body conducts search and rescue activities for the benefit of hikers, climbers, hunters and other users of wilderness areas or unpopulated forested or mountainous recreational areas in this state.
(2) The public body may collect moneys as authorized by this section from each person for whose benefit search and rescue activities are conducted. The public body may not collect more than $500 from an individual under this section and may not collect more than the actual cost of the search and rescue activities from all of the individuals for whose benefit the activities are conducted.
(3) A public body may obtain reimbursement under this section only when:
(a) Reasonable care was not exercised by the individuals for whose benefit the search and rescue activities are conducted; or
(b) Applicable laws were violated by such individuals.
(4) Any individual who is charged a fee for reimbursement under this section may appeal the charge or the amount of the fee to the public body that charged the fee.
(5) For the purposes of subsection (3) of this section, evidence of reasonable care includes:
(a) The individuals possessed experience and used equipment that was appropriate for the known conditions of weather and terrain.
(b) The individuals used or attempted to use locating devices or cellular telephones when appropriate.
© The individuals notified responsible persons or organizations of the expected time of departure and the expected time of return and the planned location or route of activity.
(d) The individuals had maps and orienteering equipment and used trails or other routes that were appropriate for the conditions.
(6) As used in this section, "public body" means any unit of state or local government that conducts or has authority to conduct search and rescue activities. [1995 c.570 §1]
Note: 401.590 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 401 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.
401.600 [1975 c.624 §4; repealed by 1983 c.586 §49]
(Equipment and Signaling Devices)
401.605 Definitions for ORS 401.605 to 401.635. As used in ORS 401.605 to 401.635:
(1) "Electronic signaling device" includes, but is not limited to, a system consisting of an instrument which emits a radio signal, designed to be carried on the person, an instrument for locating the source of such signal, designed to be utilized by searchers and such instruments as may be employed for testing and maintaining the same.
(2) "Inherent risks of wilderness travel and mountain climbing" includes, but is not limited to, those dangers or conditions, the risk of which is an integral part of these activities, such as becoming lost, incapacitated or for some other reason being unable to return safely without outside assistance. "Inherent risks" include the activities associated with search and rescue, due to the unpredictable circumstances under which search and rescue operations are conducted.
(3) "Wilderness travel" includes, but is not limited to, travel in areas not served by roads suitable for ordinary motor vehicles, whether or not such areas have been officially designated as wilderness areas. [1987 c.915 §1; 1993 c.18 §95]
Note: 401.605 to 401.635 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 401 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.
401.610 [1975 c.624 §5; repealed by 1983 c.586 §49]
401.615 Assumption of risk of wilderness travel or mountain climbing; use and effect of signal devices. (1) In accordance with ORS 18.470 and notwithstanding ORS 18.475 (2), an individual who engages in wilderness travel or mountain climbing accepts and assumes the inherent risks of wilderness travel or mountain climbing.
(2) The Legislative Assembly recognizes that the use of electronic signaling devices can aid in locating wilderness travelers or mountain climbers who require search and rescue, but that the use of such devices may be required in unpredictable circumstances which may not result in successful function of such devices. [1987 c.915 §2]
Note: See note under 401.605.
401.620 [1975 c.624 §6; renumbered 401.335]
401.625 Required equipment when guiding children above timberline. A person who guides for compensation an organized group that includes children under 18 years of age on any mountain above the timberline must carry an altimeter, a contour map of the area and a compass. [1987 c.915 §4]
Note: See note under 401.605.
401.627 Exemption from liability for electronic signaling device; exceptions. No person may maintain an action against the manufacturer, distributor or supplier of an electronic signaling device for any loss or damage incurred during wilderness travel or mountain climbing, based on a claim that such a device failed to function successfully unless the person shows that the failure resulted from willful or wanton misconduct of the defendant or from the defendant’s distributing or supplying such a device having actual knowledge that it fails to meet the specifications referred to in ORS 401.635. [1987 c.915 §3]
Note: See note under 401.605.
401.630 [1975 c.624 §7; renumbered 401.125]
401.635 Electronic signaling devices; rulemaking authority of state police; advisory committee. The Department of State Police by rule shall adopt specifications and distribution procedures applicable to electronic signaling devices described in ORS 401.605 to 401.635. The department may appoint an advisory committee to advise it on the specifications and procedures. [1987 c.915 §5; 1993 c.18 §96]
