Published: May 28, 2009 03:48 pm      

Legislation to protect agritourism from lawsuits passes legislature

OKLAHOMA CITY –Oklahoma farmers and ranchers using their property for agritourism and public recreational activities may soon be protected from frivolous lawsuits thanks to state Rep. Purcy Walker and state Sen. Mike Schulz.

House Bill 1378, which expands the Oklahoma Livestock Activities Liability Limitation Act to include agritourism activities, was put into House Bill1603, the lawsuit reform legislation that passed the House and Senate last week.

“Agritourism is important to our state’s economy,” said Walker, D-Elk City. “As legislators we need to promote agritourism across the state so farmers and ranchers can increase their income and provide recreational activities without the threat of a frivolous lawsuit.”

The Oklahoma Livestock Activities Liability Limitation Act provides that it is the intent of the Oklahoma Legislature to encourage livestock activities by limiting the civil liability of livestock activities sponsors, participants and livestock professionals responsibly involved in such activities.  

House Bill 1603 now awaits the governor’s signature.