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HF 4784

Liability limits for motorized recreational vehicle activities created.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Spencer Igo

The bill offers limited liability protection to owners, sponsors, and organizers for injuries in motorized recreational activities, barring gross negligence or intentional harm.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
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Bill Summary · HF 4784

Summary of HF 4784 (2025-2026) — Liability limits for motorized recreational vehicle activities (Minnesota)

Purpose and intent

  • HF 4784 proposes to create a new Minnesota Statutes chapter 604A that establishes limited liability protections for owners, managers, sponsors, and others involved in motorized recreational vehicle activities.
  • The core idea is to acknowledge the inherent risks of motorized activities and shield certain responsible entities from negligence-based damages when participants are injured or die.

Key provisions and changes

New statute: 604A.45 Inherent Risk; Motorized Activities

  • The bill defines terms related to motorized recreational activities and identifies which activities are covered.

Definitions (Subdivision 1)

  • Go-cart: A specific type of motor vehicle with:
    • Four wheels
    • Seating for up to two
    • Open frame and/or exposed components; bottom seat area close to chassis rails
    • No doors/enclosed cabin, except for a roll cage or exposed frame
    • Not originally manufactured to meet federal motor vehicle safety standards (CFR, Title 49, Part 571)
  • Inherent risk of motorized activities: Includes a broad list of dangers such as:
    • Terrain and environmental conditions
    • Collisions with objects, vehicles, people, or animals
    • Operator error, judgment, or inexperience
    • Weather, visibility, traction changes
    • Presence or actions of spectators
    • Remote locations delaying medical assistance
  • Motorized recreational vehicle: Includes OHVs, snowmobiles, utility task vehicles, golf carts, go-carts, electric-assisted bicycles when motor engaged, motorcycles, motorized bicycles, and motorized foot scooters.

Limitation on liability (Subdivision 2)

  • A participant engaging in motorized recreational activities (for recreation, competition, education, instruction, or exhibition) shall not maintain an action or recover damages for injury or death due to negligence against owners/managers/sponsors related to the inherent risks of motorized activities.
  • Applies even if the participant pays a fee; covers participants who ride, operate, assist, or participate, regardless of fee status.

Exceptions; liability (Subdivision 3)

  • The liability limitation does not apply if:
    1. The injury or death was caused by gross negligence, willful or wanton misconduct, intentional harm, or criminal conduct.
    2. The injury resulted from use of a motorized recreational vehicle or safety equipment that was provided by someone else when that person knew it was unreasonably dangerous for its intended use.

Warning displays; application of other laws (Subdivision 4)

  • Entities that own/manage/sponsor activities must post clearly visible warning signs at key locations (sites, trail heads, entrances, registration areas).
  • Warning must state: "WARNING: Under Minnesota law, the use of a motorized recreational vehicle is an inherently dangerous activity and participants assume the risk of injury or death."
  • Signs must have black text on contrasting background with readable size.
  • Substantial non-compliance with the warning requirements does not create a presumption of liability, but may be considered by courts when determining applicability of the section.
  • Workers’ compensation and other defenses remain applicable; the section does not modify existing protections or defenses under other laws.

Effective date (Final Subsection)

  • The act would take effect on August 1, 2026.
  • Applies to causes of action accruing on or after that date.

Who and what is affected

  • Potentially affected parties include:
    • Owners, managers, sponsors, clubs, governments, or businesses that own, manage, permit, or sponsor motorized recreational activities or events
    • Participants in motorized recreational activities (riders, operators, assistants, or other participants)
    • Individuals involved in warnings and signage at activity sites
  • The bill would limit negligence-based liability for qualifying entities in the specified contexts, but preserve liability for gross negligence, willful misconduct, intentional harm, criminal conduct, or when dangerous equipment provided by others is knowingly unsafe.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced and referred to Judiciary Finance and Civil Law on March 26, 2026.
  • If enacted, the new section would become effective August 1, 2026, with applicability to actions accruing after that date.

Notable details

  • Broad coverage includes a range of motorized vehicles (including newer forms like electric-assisted bicycles when motor engaged and motorized foot scooters).
  • The statute emphasizes warning signage as a condition for limited liability, but signs are not a sole determinant of liability protection.
  • The bill preserves other legal protections, such as workers’ compensation obligations and other immunity defenses.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current Minnesota negligence standards or draft a quick Q&A for general readers.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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