Juneau -- The House Tuesday voted 38 to 1 to approve Senate Bill 45, sponsored by Senator Rick Halford (R-Chugiak), encouraging private property owners to allow public access to their land for recreational uses. Property owners who want to provide public access to their land for recreation are held back by liability concerns. 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 Tuesday 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 public access additional trails across private lands. 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. Also supporting the measure are the 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.

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