HB287 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris SellsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Aerial sports, included in definition of "recreational use or recreational purpose" of land, limited liability, Sec. 35-15-21 am'd.

Summary

HB287 would explicitly include aerial sports in Alabama's definition of recreational use on outdoor land, extending limited liability protections to landowners who allow noncommercial recreational activities.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 35-15-21 to include aerial sports in the definition of recreational use or recreational purpose. This reinforces limited liability for landowners when they allow noncommercial recreational use, including aerial sports, on their land. It also defines key terms and clarifies that an owner's employees or agents are considered owners for liability purposes, while independent contractors are not. The bill distinguishes noncommercial recreational use from commercial recreational use, which is defined separately. It becomes effective immediately after passage and the governor's approval.

Who It Affects

• Outdoor recreational landowners (public or private) who allow noncommercial recreational use of their land, including aerial sports, and thus receive continued limited liability protections.
• People who use outdoor recreational land for noncommercial recreation (visitors and participants, including those engaging in aerial sports), who benefit from the landowners' liability protections under the revised definitions.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 35-15-21 to redefine 'recreational use or recreational purpose' to include aerial sports within the listed activities.
• Explicitly includes 'aerial sports' within the definition of recreational use, with aviation activities as an example.
• Defines terms: OWNER, OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL LAND, RECREATIONAL USE/RECREATIONAL PURPOSE, PERSON, and COMMERCIAL RECREATIONAL USE.
• Specifies that an owner's employees or agents are considered owners for liability purposes, but not independent contractors while conducting activities on the land.
• Maintains limited liability for noncommercial recreational use while clarifying that commercial recreational use is a separate, profit-motivated category.
• Takes effect immediately following passage and governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Land Use, Recreational