Vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that changes safety requirements for ski resorts.

Highlights:

• Requires ski resorts to prepare and to post in a location that can be viewed by the public, an annual safety plan that conforms with the federal regulations applicable to ski resorts operating on federal property, and that includes the following information (Sec. 1):
• A detailed description of signage placement;
• A key to all signage to be included on trail maps and made available upon request at ticket sales locations; and
• The types of man-made or natural hazards or obstacles that will be marked by signage, be subject to protection, or both, and if subject to protection, the plan shall include the materials and methods to be used.

• Requires ski resorts to write a monthly summary report for each month of operation stating the number of deaths and injuries of which the employees at the ski resort are aware, and to make the report available by the 15th day of the month following the month for which the report was made (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that if a ski resort fails to comply with the regulations regarding the monthly summary report of deaths and injuries, the requesting individual can use the ski resort's failure to comply as a basis to initiate a civil cause of action to compel the production of the summary report and if the individual succeeds in civil action, the ski resort must pay the individual's attorney fees as well as court costs (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from using skis or a snowboard unless he or she is wearing a properly fitted helmet that meets the standards of ASTM International or the Snell Memorial Foundation (Sec. 1).
• Requires ski resorts to inform skiers and snowboarders of the helmet requirements for 18 year-olds and under and to revoke the ticket or pass of any patron who fails to comply (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text