House approves bill limiting local government liability for some recreational activities

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House of Representatives passed a first substitute to House Bill 107 on Feb. 10, a measure that would limit certain liability for counties and municipalities when the public uses land for recreational activities.

Representative Bowman, speaking for the bill, described it as "recreational land use immunity" and said it narrows language from the prior year’s version to clarify covered activities and to preserve legal obligations. "The recreational activity means a rodeo, an equestrian activity, skateboarding, roller skating, or inline skating on property owned by counties or municipalities," Bowman said, and he emphasized the bill does not relieve participants of due‑care responsibilities or relieve non‑government developers of their duties.

Bowman read a supporting letter from Edwin S. Weaver, who described local efforts in Cedar City to build a skate park (Exit 59) and urged passage so municipalities would feel qualified to provide similar recreation facilities. The sponsor said the measure would assist self‑insured municipal risk pools and encourage provision of skate parks and other outdoor recreational sites while preserving liability for non‑inherent dangers or faulty conditions.

Voting was closed and the House recorded 70 yes votes and 0 no votes; the bill passed and will be referred to the Senate for further action.