OPERATING SNOWMOBILE: LIABILITY
House Bill 4198
Sponsor: Rep. Charles LaSata
Committee: Judiciary
Complete to 2-21-03
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4198 AS INTRODUCED 2-12-03
House Bill 4198 would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (MCL 324.82126) to qualify the types of risks that snowmobilers are understood to accept as risks associated with snowmobiling. Part 821 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) regulates the ownership and operation of snowmobiles and states that each person who participates in the sport of snowmobiling accepts certain "obvious and inherent" risks associated with the sport. Examples of such risks or dangers include injuries to persons or property that result from variation in terrain, surface or subsurface snow or ice conditions, and collisions with signs, fences, or other snowmobiles or snow-grooming equipment. The bill would specify that a person who participates in the sport of snowmobiling does not thereby accept the risk for injuries to persons or property that can result from the careless or negligent use of a snowmobile by another person.
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.