HF4601

Purpose

• To limit civil liability for donors by providing immunity from lawsuits for deaths or injuries that occur to participants due to the inherent risks of livestock activities at livestock events.

Main Provisions

• Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 604A.12 subdivision 2.
• Establishes that a nonprofit corporation, association, or organization, or a person or other entity that donates services, livestock, facilities, or equipment for the use of a nonprofit organization, is not liable for a participant’s death or injury caused by the inherent risks of livestock activities.
• Applies specifically to donations used for livestock events organized by a nonprofit entity.

Scope and How It Works

• Donors who provide services, livestock, facilities, or equipment to support a livestock event are shielded from liability related to injuries or deaths that arise from the inherent dangers of the livestock activities.
• The term “inherent risks of livestock activities” refers to the natural, foreseeable risks associated with handling, being around, or participating in livestock-related events.
• The protection is tied to the donation context and does not create immunity for other types of claims outside this scope.

Significance and Potential Impact

• Shifts some risk away from donors toward participants and their own risk management/insurance considerations.
• Could influence how livestock events are organized, including consent forms, waivers, and insurance requirements for nonprofit hosts and their donors.

Practical Takeaway

• If you donate services, livestock, facilities, or equipment for a nonprofit livestock event, this law provides immunity from liability for injuries or deaths tied to the inherent risks of the livestock activities at that event.

Relevant Terms - immunity from liability - inherent risks of livestock activities - participant - death or injury - nonprofit corporation / association / organization - donating services / livestock / facilities / equipment - civil liability - Minnesota Statutes 604A.12 subdivision 2 - donor liability - livestock events