HCS HB 762 -- LIABILITY OF MUNICIPALITIES

SPONSOR:  Johnson (47)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Local
Government by a vote of 17 to 1.

This substitute relieves cities and villages with fewer than
10,000 inhabitants of liability for the injury or death of any
person attending any fair, festival, or similar gathering
organized or sponsored by the municipality.  The municipality
must post a sign at the gathering stating that the municipality
is not liable for injury or death resulting from the inherent
risks of participating in an activity.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not available at time of printing.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that insurance costs for small
communities to sponsor local fairs have significantly increased,
thereby causing some communities to discontinue the fairs.  The
bill is intended to limit risk and lower municipalities'
insurance costs.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Whorton; David
Morrison, Presiding Commissioner, Ozark County Commission; and
Kenneth Roberts, Presiding Commissioner, Grundy County
Commission.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Julie Jinkens McNitt, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:13 am