SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6013
As of January 17, 2026
Title: An act relating to updating terminology related to ski areas and winter sports activities.
Brief Description: Updating terminology related to ski areas and winter sports activities.
Sponsors: Senators Torres, Chapman, Dozier, Lovelett, Nobles, Stanford and Wilson, J.; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Local Government: 1/19/26.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Updates terms for ski lift devices that are inspected by the State Parks and Recreation Commission. 
  • Updates ski lift device terms for which operators must maintain liability insurance.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Staff: Jacob Ewing (786-7402)
Background:

The State Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) manages state parks and has other responsibilities pertaining to recreational activities in the state including overseeing the safety of ski lift facilities at ski areas. Annual ski lift safety inspections must take place prior to each use season. Ski lift inspectors conducting ski lift safety inspections must report any deficiencies to the Commission after inspection, and inspectors may condemn lifts that they deem an imminent danger. Ski lift devices include aerial lifts, surface lifts, and similar devices. 

 

Every owner or operator of a recreational conveyance device generally associated with winter sports activities must construct, maintain, and provide such devices in a manner to safely and properly receive and transport all patrons, employees, and members of the public. 

 

When using ski lifts or similar devices, all skiers are required to conduct themselves within the limits of their individual ability and not act in a manner that may contribute to the injury of themselves or any other person. It is prohibited for skiers to: 

  • embark or disembark upon a ski lift except at a designated area; 

  • throw or expel any object from ski lifts while riding on the device; 

  • act in any manner while riding on ski lifts that may interfere with the proper or safe operation of the device; 

  • willfully engage in any type of conduct which may injure any person, or place any object in the uphill ski track which may cause another to fall while traveling uphill on a ski lift; or 

  • cross the uphill track of ski lifts or other similar devices except at designated locations. 

 

Every operator, including schools, ski clubs, or similar organizations, of an aerial lift, surface lift, or similar device must maintain liability insurance of no less than $1 million per occurrence. Operators of tramways that are not open to the general public and that are operated without charge are exempt from this requirement. 
Summary of Bill:

Aerial tramways, tows, and conveyors are included in the list of ski lift devices that must be constructed, maintained, and provided by the owner or operator in a manner to safely and properly receive and transport all patrons, employees, and members of the public. 

 

Aerial tramways, aerial lifts, surface lifts, tows, and conveyors are added to the list of ski lift devices upon which skiers must conduct themselves within the limits of their individual ability and act in a manner so as not to contribute to the injury of themselves or any other person. 

 

Operators, including schools, ski clubs, or similar organizations, of an aerial tramway, tow, or conveyor are included in the list of devices that must maintain liability insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.