Senate Judiciary Committee Passes Bad Bill

Today, is a unanimous vote, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted favorably on SB 2440 (Bennett), a bill stripping all but inherent risk from Parental Waivers. I was one of two speakers in opposition. Numerous trail lawyer and victim advocate groups spoke in favor of the bill. In my opinion, this bill, while restoring parental waivers, does little to protect our businesses, since the term “inherent risk” is subjective, and would only be defined by a court. Costly litigation will ensue, and our members will suffer from the consequences of this poorly crafted “compromise” bill.

Further, SB 2440 fails to define “commercial” activities and “community-based” activities. There is no understanding as to whom this bill even applies – another case for courts to determine.

This is a bad bill, and we will continue to work on the House Bill (285) and hope that it prevails in Conference.