HBA-DMH H.B. 1917 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1917
By: Turner, Bob
Civil Practices
4/3/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

As the recreational and tourism industries continue to expand in Texas,
there are some concerns that liability for outdoor activities is not
adequately limited by current law.  House Bill 1917 expands the definition
of "recreation" for the purposes of limiting landowner liability. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1917 amends the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to modify the
definition of "recreation" to include equine activities, and mountain
biking/cycling for the purpose of limiting landowners' liability.  The bill
extends limited landowner liability to a real property owner, lessee, or
occupant who charges for entry to the premises if the aggregate entry
charges collected in the previous calendar year for recreational use of the
entire premises does not exceed ten times, rather than twice, the total
amount of ad valorem taxes imposed for the previous calendar year. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.