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Johnson County backs HB 1100 to ease liability for extreme-sports facility; commissioners flag bridge-funding concern in state bills
Summary
The Johnson County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 10 ratified a letter in support of state House Bill 1100, which county staff said would expand the definition of "extreme sports area" and reduce county liability to allow reopening of the Gatling gauntlet.
The Johnson County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 10 ratified a letter in support of state House Bill 1100, which county staff described as expanding the definition of "extreme sports area" to create liability exceptions similar to those that already apply to skate parks and roller-skating facilities.
A staff member summarized the county's position: "HB 1,100 is for a bill to expand the definition of, extreme sports area and that is to allow our Gatling gauntlet to, reopen essentially and give exceptions to the county for liability purposes ... it will still allow the county to keep it in a reasonable condition, but it won't be as susceptible to, liability." The board voted to approve arguments in support of the bill.
Why it matters County officials said the change would let the county reopen a recreational feature known locally as the Gatling gauntlet with liability protections analogous to those at other extreme-recreation sites. The board's action is an expression of support; the meeting record does not show that the county adopted any regulatory change beyond submitting comments or an arguments letter.
Bridge funding language flagged During the meeting, the highway supervisor, Luke Masten, briefed commissioners on separate state legislation language that, as he described it, would make counties responsible for bridges within cities and towns regardless of whether a county maintains a cumulative bridge fund.
Masten, identified in the meeting as the highway supervisor, said of the bill's draft language: "Based on the original language ... counties would be responsible for bridges within cities and towns regardless of whether they have a cumulative bridge fund." He explained that Johnson County currently does not maintain a cumulative bridge fund and that restoring one would alter levy caps and could reduce funding available for other general-fund services.
Commissioners and staff said they are monitoring the bills and plan to voice county concerns at the state level. No formal county action on the bridge-funding language was taken at the meeting.
Ending The board approved the letter in support of HB 1100 and directed staff to continue monitoring state legislation affecting county bridge funding and to amplify county concerns as bills move through the legislature.
