BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 687
86R41 CAE-D	By: Guillen (Perry)
	State Affairs
	5/16/2019
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Texas contains vast climbing resources that are difficult to access under current law because of liability concerns on the part of landowners. The Civil Practice and Remedies Code protects landowners from liability for injuries incurred during certain recreational activities.

This refiled (S.B. 658) bill amends this code to add "rock climbing" alongside hunting, fishing, hiking and other activities as a defined recreational activity.

H.B. 687 amends current law relating to a landowner's liability for injuries incurred during certain recreational activities.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 75.001(3), Civil Practice and Remedies Code, to redefine "recreation" to include rock climbing.

SECTION 2. Provides that the change in law made by this Act applies only to a cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date of this Act. Provides that a cause of action that accrued before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law applicable to the cause of action immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019.