CHAPTER 509

S.P. 266 - L.D. 787

An Act To Clarify the Landowner Liability Law with Regard to

Construction and Maintenance of Snowmobile and Other Trails

for Recreational Use

Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas, the landowner liability law does not specifically refer to the construction and maintenance of trails used for recreation by the public; and

Whereas, the availability and affordability of liability insurance for snowmobile trail-grooming activities have significantly declined, creating an immediate potential for major disruption in the infrastructure supporting the multimillion dollar snowmobiling industry; and

Whereas, immediate clarification of the landowner liability law will reduce the potential exposure to liability for snowmobile trail-grooming activities in the ongoing season; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 14 MRSA §159-A, sub-§1, śC is enacted to read: