It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Sections 32-6-2 and 32-6-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 32-6 entitled "Public Use of Private Lands -- Liability Limitations" are hereby amended to read as follows:
32-6-2. Definitions. -- As used in this chapter:
(1) "Charge" means the admission price or fee asked in return for invitation or permission to enter or go upon the land;
(2) "Land" means land, roads, water, watercourses, private ways and buildings, structures, and machinery or equipment when attached to the realty.
(3) "Owner" means the possessor of a fee interest, tenant,
lessee, occupant, or person in control of the premises;
{ADD "Owner" means the private owner possessor of a fee interest, or
tenant, lessee, occupant, or person in control of the premises
including the state and municipalities; ADD}
(4) "Recreational purposes" includes, but is not limited to,
any of the following, or any combination thereof: hunting,
fishing, swimming, boating, camping, picnicking, hiking,
horseback riding, bicycling, pleasure driving, nature study,
water skiing, water sports, and viewing or enjoying
historical, archaeological, scenic, or scientific sites{ADD , and
all other recreational purposes contemplated by this chapter; ADD}
(5) "User" means any person using land for recreational purposes.
32-6-4. Land leased to state. -- Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the provisions of sections 32-6-3 and this section shall be deemed applicable to the duties and liability of an owner of land leased to the state or any subdivision or agency thereof {ADD or land which the state or any subdivision or agency thereof possesses an easement ADD} for recreational purposes.
SECTION 2. Section 32-6-7 of the General Laws in Chapter 32-6 entitled "Public Use of Private Lands -- Liability Limitations" is hereby repealed in its entirety.
32-6-7. Permission by owner. -- (a) An owner desiring
to make his or her property available for recreational purposes
under this chapter, must first offer permission to the public for
all or specified recreational purposes by letter, sent by
registered or certified mail, addressed to the director of the
department of environmental management. The letter of permission
shall contain:
(1) A statement of the owner's interest in the land;
(2) A description of the land subject to the permitted recreational use;
(3) A statement of the specific recreational purposes for which the permission is granted or that the permission extends to all recreational purposes contemplated by this chapter; and
(4) The signature of the owner.
(b) The offer by the owner pursuant to this chapter must be accepted or rejected by the director of the department of environmental management or his or her designee within sixty (60) days of the sending of the letter from the landowner, and during the sixty-day period the department shall inspect the property for dangerous and/or perilous condition.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
