Senate Bill 5069

[Grumpy]

On January 8th Senator Jacobson (D-46th) prefiled for introduction Senate Bill 5069; it was read for the first time on the 12th; and was referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.

This proposed legislation relates to recreational liability on public and private lands; and amends RCW 4.24.210.

Summary - It addresses property owners that allow members of the public to use their land for the purpose of outdoor recreation and shall not be liable for unintentional injuries to users; fee structure directed at cutting - gathering - and removing of products; and maximum fee structure on publicly owned facility are among mentioned in this bill.

To read complete/original document - visit: http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature (Click on Bill Search - SB 5069)

Status/Update -
On Jan. 22 the Full Committee held a public hearing; summary of that hearing is as follows:

Limited liability protection under the statute is expanded to include landowners who: receive funds and allow recreational use pursuant to a written agreement with a federal, state, or local government; or charge for recreational use so long as revenues are used solely to offset reasonable maintenance and land management expenses associated with allowing such use.

The statute is expanded to clarify that landowners who exercise the authority provided in the statute to charge an administrative fee up to $25 for the cutting, gathering, and removal of firewood receive limited liability protection.

Summary of Public Testimony:

(PRO) - The protection offered in this statute encourage landowners to open up their lands to recreation; it adds tools for landowners to receive funds for maintenance costs incurred by allowing recreation; the statute is useful to both public and private landowners; in the case of public ORV parks, more room is needed under the current $20 limit.

(CON) - Everything in the bill is acceptable, except the language allowing landowners to impose charges for land management costs and still receive protection under the statute; this could result in those providing commerical recreation and receiving this liability protection.