West Virginia § 20-4-1 Legislative purpose

West Virginia Statutes

§ 20-4-1 — Legislative purpose

West Virginia § 20-4-1

Ch. 20NATURAL RESOURCES

Art. 4EQUESTRIAN ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILITY ACT

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Bluebook

W. Va. Code § 20-4-1 (2026).

Text

The Legislature finds that equestrian activities are engaged in by a large number of citizens of West Virginia and that such activities also attract to West Virginia a large number of nonresidents, significantly contributing to the economy of West Virginia. Since it is recognized that there are inherent risks in equestrian activities which should be understood by participants therein and which are essentially impossible for the operators of equestrian businesses to eliminate, it is the purpose of this article to define those areas of responsibility and those affirmative acts for which the operators of equestrian businesses shall be liable for loss, damage or injury suffered by participants, and to further define those risks which the participants expressly assume and for which there can be

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The Legislature finds that equestrian activities are engaged in by a large number of citizens of West Virginia and that such activities also attract to West Virginia a large number of nonresidents, significantly contributing to the economy of West Virginia. Since it is recognized that there are inherent risks in equestrian activities which should be understood by participants therein and which are essentially impossible for the operators of equestrian businesses to eliminate, it is the purpose of this article to define those areas of responsibility and those affirmative acts for which the operators of equestrian businesses shall be liable for loss, damage or injury suffered by participants, and to further define those risks which the participants expressly assume and for which there can be no recovery.

Legislative History

1990 Reg. Sess., SB44; 1981 Reg. Sess., HB1184; 1972 Reg. Sess., SB151; 1970 Reg. Sess., HB539; 1961 Reg. Sess., SB23; 1947 Reg. Sess., HB362; 1939 Reg. Sess., SB204