Juneau -- Today, the Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 45, sponsored by Senator Rick Halford (R-Chugiak), giving private property owners incentive to provide land for public recreational trails. Property owners who want to provide public access to their land for recreation are held back by concerns that injured users may sue them. This fear of litigation has caused well-intentioned landowners, who would otherwise provide a trail so people could hike, ski, hunt, fish and snow-machine, to restrict access to their land.

"Outdoor recreation is important to many Alaskans and a growing visitor industry," said Halford. "If a landowner is willing to allow others access to their land, they should not have to fear being sued for it."

The version of the bill passed today would allow the landowner to set aside a portion of their land as a conservation easement, which would be granted to the state or municipality. The landowner and the grantee would then be immune from suit, unless they contributed to a hazard by gross negligence or reckless action. Granting immunity to landowners will provide an incentive to establish additional trails across private lands that the public could use free of charge. These additional trails would lead to the establishment of a more comprehensive trail system in our state -- providing greater recreational opportunities for Alaskans and out of state visitors.

Senate Bill 45 is supported by many organizations and governmental entities, including the State Division of Parks, the Municipality of Anchorage, the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation, the City of Wasilla, the Wasilla, Palmer, Chugiak/Eagle River, Fairbanks and State Chambers of Commerce, the Alaska Snowmachine Association, the Anchorage Snowmobile Association, the Mat-Su Motor Mushers, the Caribou Cabin Hoppers, the Alaska Boaters' Association and the Alaska Outdoor Council. Senate Bill 45 now moves to the House for consideration.

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