2012 -- S 2491

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LC00967

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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A N A C T

RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS - PUBLIC USE OF PRIVATE

LANDS - LIABILITY LIMITATIONS

     Introduced By: Senator Michael J. McCaffrey

     Date Introduced: February 16, 2012

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 32-6-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 32-6 entitled "Public Use of

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Private Lands-Liability Limitations" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     32-6-2. Definitions. -- As used in this chapter:

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      (1) "Charge" means the admission price or fee asked in return for invitation or

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permission to enter or go upon the land;

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      (2) "Land" means land, roads, water, watercourses, private ways and buildings,

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structures, and machinery or equipment when attached to the realty;

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      (3) "Owner" means the private owner possessor of a fee interest, or tenant, lessee,

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occupant, or person in control of the premises including the state and municipalities;

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      (4) "Recreational purposes" includes, but is not limited to, any of the following, or any

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combination thereof: hunting, fishing, swimming, boating, camping, picnicking, hiking,

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horseback riding, bicycling, pleasure driving, nature study, water skiing, water sports, viewing or

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enjoying historical, archaeological, scenic, or scientific sites, and all other recreational purposes

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contemplated by this chapter; and

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      (5) "User" means any person using land for recreational purposes.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC00967

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS - PUBLIC USE OF PRIVATE

LANDS - LIABILITY LIMITATIONS

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     This act would change the definition of "owner" to exclude the state and municipalities

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for the purposes of liability limitations relating to public use of private lands.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC00967

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