Senate Bill 272

Chair's Name: David Ralston

Committee: Judiciary Non Civil

Senate Sponsor: John Bulloch

SB 272 limits the liability for owners and operators of farm offering agritourism activities.  However, this bill does not limit liability if: the equipment used by the �tourist� is faulty; the owner/operator does not make reasonable efforts to determine the ability of the �tourist� to participate in activities or exercise ordinary care for the participant�s safety; the owner/operator allowed a �tourist� to interact with an animal without first making reasonable efforts to determine that the �tourist� knew the risks of such interaction. The bill requires agritourism owner/operators to post signs with warnings as to the issues of equipment, abilities of �tourists� to participate safely, and animal handling. Failure to comply will result in the owner/operator losing the privilege of immunity.

This bill received a Do Pass recommendation from the Judiciary Non Civil Committee.

Chairman Raston�s opinion of this legislation:

WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?

This bill provides limited liability for owners and operators of farms offering agritourism activities

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

The encouragement of agritourism