Here's my testimony on 5215 from Jan 31:
Mr Chair and Senators, I am John Eaton from Shelton in Mason county.
I am a life member of the Blue Ribbon Coalition, I serve as a board member of both the Washington State Trails Coalition and WOHVA, I am a member of many other organizations.
Most of these organizations have a common thread, to which I have devoted countless hours of my private time. It is why I am here today, to thank Senators Jacobsen and Kline for sponsoring Senate Bill 5215 and also to thank this committee for allowing my testimony.
I work to protect, promote and enhance trails and recreation opportunities for both motorized and non-motorized outdoor recreation. Last year, I did what I could to help Senators Sheldon and Steven's 6354 and Representatives Kristinsen, Condotta, and Hinkle's 2617, amending the immunity statute, which is Section 1 paragraph 5 sub (b) of the bill at hand, to become law.
And I can give first hand testimony of the positive effect the passage of amending the immunity statute has had upon StraddleLine ORV Park on the Gray's Harbor and Thurston County line.
A land owner or manager must walk a fine line balancing insurance cost,
maintenance and operation cost, liability issues with the ultimate goal of providing a pleasurable experience for the outdoor recreational user at a cost affordable to all.
Liability attaches with the payment of a fee.
The high cost of added insurance to compensate for this liability often negated the fee, placing the land owner or manager in a lose / lose situation.
Land either lies unused for recreation purposes, or when used for recreation there is no funding to provide for the upkeep or damages caused by users. Worse still, a small fee is collected providing insufficient monies for proper insurance, placing the land, the owner and the manager at serious financial risk.
Senate Bill 5215 will cure these problems for private property owners, allow previously unused land to be utilized, provide funding for land management to prevent environmental damage and provide greater choice and affordability to all recreational users.
Local, state and federal government cannot afford, nor provide for all recreational users even now.
What of the future with more users and even less available land?
Increasing private recreation areas is the answer, both for affordability and diversity. 5215's expansion of the immunity statue by allowing a daily, seasonal, or annual charge for access to privately owned lands for outdoor recreation while providing for management costs and also eliminating the liability associated with a fee, will allow greater choices among users, lower cost for recreation, capture outside tourism dollars in rural counties and perhaps even saving some otherwise unused land from development.
Thank you for your time, consideration and your sponorship of Senate Bill 5215.
[END]
One thing I did not speak about but have written about since is a clarification in regards to taxation: Is a private property owner required to apply for a business license and submit state sales tax monies derived only under this bill?
It is best to clarify at this time as the State of Georgia is presently having quite the problem in regard to private land use such as lands leased by hunting clubs and for ORV use, for some reason bird watching has not been attacked by Georgia to my knowledge.
