AOPA is energetically supporting a bill in the California Senate that would limit a landowner’s liability for recreational use of the property by others. The bill was introduced Feb. 19 by Sen. Jean Fuller, who worked with the Recreational Aviation Foundation and AOPA in drafting the bill.
Current California code limits a landowner’s liability for recreational use of the property by others, listing specific recreational uses covered under the statute, including “hang gliding” and “sport parachuting.”
However, it is not clear if general aviation activities are covered, causing some airstrip owners to deny access to GA aircraft out of fear of liability. Senate Bill 1072 would clearly define “other aviation activities” as a covered recreational use.
AOPA sent a letter of support to Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Hannah-Beth Jackson on March 12, and engaged the interest of the Association of California Airports, which has also sent a letter of support. AOPA Western Pacific Regional Manager John Pfeifer plans to testify at a committee hearing on the bill, which will occur sometime in April.
