This bill amends existing law to eliminate certain operational requirements for nonprofit organizations that operate ski areas. Specifically, it states that if a ski area is operated by a nonprofit organization, the operator is not required to establish and post a system identifying slopes and trails, provide trail maps or reports, or remove obvious man-made hazards. The bill defines a nonprofit organization as a private nonprofit corporation, society, or association recognized by the IRS as exempt from income taxation under 26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(3).

Additionally, the bill modifies the liability of ski area operators. It specifies that an operator is not responsible for failing to comply with the aforementioned provisions if such failure is due to abrupt weather changes, hazards associated with varying snow conditions, or the location of necessary operational facilities marked for safety. Furthermore, an operator is only liable to skiers if they had knowledge of a failure to comply with their duties or should have reasonably known about it and had a reasonable time to correct the issue. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 5:13-2, 5:13-3