Juneau -- The Alaska House of Representatives Tuesday passed House Bill 146, which establishes the responsibilities of commercial recreation businesses and the responsibilities of persons who participate in recreational activities.

"Many businesses, most of them small, offer commercial recreational activities to the public such as river rafting, guided hiking, kayaking, snowboarding, and sport fishing, to name a few," said Representative Pete Kott (R-Eagle River), sponsor of HB 146. "This bill will decrease uncertainties regarding the legal responsibilities for injuries and encourage the continued viability of responsible businesses which offer commercial recreational activities to the public."

HB 146 addresses specific guidelines operators and participants must follow to minimize the possibility of accidents. Commercial enterprises are still responsible for meeting safety standards and providing trained, competent personnel.

"Existing legal uncertainties have resulted in prohibitively high liability insurance costs, especially for small businesses," Kott said. "This bill will help avoid the types of unfair and unreasonable claims which make it increasingly difficult to provide these sorts of activities, which are often synonymous with Alaska lifestyles and visitor expectations."

HB 146 passed 38-2 and will be reconsidered by the House before being sent to the Senate.

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