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Committee adds agritourism to Recreation Safety Act; Senate File 108 passes House TRW
Summary
Senate File 108 would add a definition for agritourism to Wyoming’s Recreation Safety Act and clarify that a non‑exclusive list of covered activities remains open-ended; the Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee approved the bill unanimously.
The House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee approved Senate File 108 to expand the state’s Recreation Safety Act to include agritourism and to make the statute’s enumerated list of covered activities non‑exhaustive.
Senator Bill Barlow presented the bill and described it as a response to constituent requests from landowners hosting visitors for farm- and ranch-related educational and recreational activities. “Many states have adopted a very specific agritourism statute,” Barlow said; he told the committee he chose to add agritourism into the existing Recreation Safety Act by defining the activity rather than creating a separate act.
Under the proposed change, agritourism is listed alongside other activities covered by the Recreation Safety Act and the bill adds a phrase to indicate the statute’s list is “but not limited to” the enumerated activities. Barlow said that phrasing was recommended by legal advisers to give the statute flexibility when similar activities do not fit a single listed category.
Committee members asked whether charging for an activity or commercial use affects coverage. Barlow cited the act’s definition of “provider” (which covers for-profit and nonprofit entities that offer or conduct a sport or activity) and said current law already contemplated paid and unpaid offerings, so the bill does not require that activities be free. Representative Storer noted the committee had previously discussed the term “commercial use” in related conversations and sought clarity; Barlow and other members confirmed the bill’s language was intended to be inclusive.
Supporters from agriculture and rural organizations spoke in favor: Brett Moline of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation and Ara Aronow of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union told the committee agritourism aids farm viability and helps connect communities to agriculture. James Shick and a student from an FFA environmental team also offered brief supportive remarks.
Representative Connolly moved to work the bill; Representative Campbell seconded. The committee took a roll-call vote and recorded nine ayes; the motion passed.
What it changes: The bill adds agritourism to the Recreation Safety Act’s enumerated activities and clarifies the list is illustrative rather than exhaustive; it does not create a separate liability shield beyond the existing Recreation Safety Act language.
Votes at a glance: - Senate File 108 — Add agritourism to Recreation Safety Act and make enumerated list non-exhaustive. Mover: Representative Connolly. Seconder: Representative Campbell. Committee roll-call: Representative Campbell (Aye); Representative Connolly (Aye); Representative Harshman (Aye); Representative Jarvis (Aye); Representative Provenza (Aye); Representative Storer (Aye); Representative Thayer (Aye); Representative Wharf (Aye); Chairman Beyer (Aye). Outcome: approved (9–0).
Next steps: The bill will move to the next stage of the legislative process for further consideration.
