HBA-DMH C.S.H.B. 1917 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 1917 By: Turner, Bob Civil Practices 4/23/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE As the recreational and tourism industries continue to expand in Texas, there are some concerns that liability for outdoor activities is not adequately limited by current law. C.S.H.B. 1917 expands the definition of "recreation" for the purpose of limiting landowners' liability. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 1917 amends the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to modify the definition of "recreation" to include an equine activity and mountain biking or cycling for the purpose of limiting landowners' liability. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE C.S.H.B. 1917 differs from the original by removing the proposed provision that extended limited landowner liability to a real property owner, lessee, or occupant who charged for entry to the premises if the aggregate entry charges collected in the previous calender year for recreational use of the entire premises did not exceed ten times, rather than twice, the total amount of ad valorem taxes imposed for the previous calender year. The substitute modifies the definition of "recreation."