03/11/1998 01:40 PM House FIN

HOUSE BILL NO. 12                                                              
                                                                               
"An Act relating to civil liability for injuries or                            
death resulting from equine activities."                                       
                                                                               
Representative Davis, Sponsor, spoke in support of HB 12.                      
House Bill 12 is intended to provide owners and handlers in                    
the equine profession extra protection from civil liability                    
lawsuits.  Representative Davis maintained that the ability                    
to get insurance restricts the activities of persons that                      
own and handle horses.  The legislation would reduce civil                     
liability based on inherent risk.  He stressed that horses                     
are unpredictable.  He observed that negligence would not be                   
exempted.                                                                      
                                                                               
Representative Davies questioned if an event precipitated                      
the legislation.  Representative Davis recalled that                           
testimony indicated that events have been cancelled due to a                   
lack or high cost of insurance to cover the activity.                          
                                                                               
In response to a question by Representative Davies,                            
Representative Davis recounted that insurance companies have                   
told owners that the legislation would result in reductions.                   
                                                                               
Representative Grussendorf observed that a hiny is a cross                     
between a female mule and a horse.                                             
                                                                               
Representative Davies suggested inserting a semicolon on                       
page 1, line 13 after the second "or".  He observed that                       
"tack" would be included in "defective equipment" on page 2,                   
line 7.  He recommended that "tack" be deleted.  He                            
suggested the addition of "or" at the end of page 2, line                      
12.                                                                            
                                                                               
HB 12 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.