HB527 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Frances Holk-JonesRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Civil liability, liability limited for certain entities operating off-roading parks

Summary

HB527 limits operator liability for injuries from the inherent risks of off-roading at parks, with required warnings, insurance, and specific exceptions, effective October 1, 2025.

What This Bill Does

It generally shields off-road park operators from liability for participant injuries or deaths caused by inherent risks of off-roading. Operators must post clearly visible warning signs and include a warning in every off-roading contract, and they must maintain minimum liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate with evidence available on request. The bill lists specific exceptions to the immunity, including faulty equipment, inadequate safety assessments of participants, known dangerous conditions without conspicuous warnings, willful or reckless conduct, or intentional injury. It also notes that other laws may still apply and sets an effective date of October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• Off-road park operators/owners: receive liability immunity if they meet the sign-posting, contract-warning, and insurance requirements; can face liability outside the listed exceptions.
• Participants and their representatives: generally cannot sue operators for injuries from inherent risks, but may pursue claims under the listed exceptions and can request proof of the operator's insurance.

Key Provisions

• Immunity for operators from liability for injuries or deaths arising from the inherent risks of off-roading, with defined exceptions.
• Requires operators to post clearly visible warning signs near off-roading areas and to include a warning notice in written contracts.
• Warning notice must state that the operator is not liable for injuries resulting from inherent risks, except as allowed by state law.
• Exceptions to immunity include: faulty or defective off-road vehicles known to the operator; failure to assess participant safety or to manage the vehicle safely based on participant representations; dangerous latent conditions with warnings not conspicuously posted; willful or wanton disregard; and intentional injury.
• Operator liability immunity does not override liability under other parts of state law.
• Operators must maintain liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, and must provide evidence of current insurance upon request.
• Effective date of the act is October 1, 2025.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Civil Procedure