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HB5624

Regular Session

Relating to the liability of a motorized off-road vehicle entity for injuries arising from certain activities.

Critical
Low Cost
Effective:2025-06-20
HB5624
Relating to the liability of a motorized off-road vehicle entity for injuries arising from certain activities.
Critical Urgency
Passed with Opposition
House Vote113 - 11
YEA
91% in favor124 voting
Senate Vote31 - 0
YEA
100% in favor31 voting
11
Total Opposition Votes
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-06-20
Primary Author: Rep. Brad Buckley
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: June 20, 2025 (Immediately effective due to supermajority vote).
  • Compliance Deadline: June 20, 2025. You must have signage posted immediately to claim the liability defense for any incident occurring from this date forward.
  • Agency Rulemaking: None. This is a self-executing statute within the Civil Practice and Remedies Code; interpretation will be determined by the courts, not a regulatory agency.

Immediate Action Plan

  • Post Signage Immediately: Fabricate and install the Sec. 75E.003 warning text at every physical entrance to the riding area.
  • Audit Rental Fleet: Ground any vehicle lacking up-to-date maintenance records until an inspection is performed and logged.
  • Update Waivers: Distribute revised liability releases to all intake points and digital signing platforms effective immediately.
  • Demarcate Zones: Install physical fencing or barriers to strictly separate spectator viewing areas from active vehicle tracks.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Waivers & Releases: Update all participant liability waivers to explicitly cite Chapter 75E, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Mirror the statutory language regarding "inherent risks" in your release clauses.
  • Sponsorship/Venue Agreements: If you are an event organizer renting land, amend contracts to define which party (landowner or organizer) is legally responsible for posting the required entrance signage.

Hiring/Training

  • Training Logs: The statute permits lawsuits based on "failure to train" or "improper training." You must implement and document formal safety training for all staff. Retain these logs indefinitely as your primary defense against negligence claims involving employee conduct.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Fleet Maintenance: The liability shield does not apply to negligence regarding vehicles provided by the entity. You must maintain rigorous, dated maintenance logs for all rental units (ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes). If a rental unit fails and causes injury, and you cannot prove recent maintenance, you will likely be found liable.

Fees & Costs

  • Signage: Nominal cost to fabricate and install compliant warning signs at all entrances.
  • Insurance: Contact your carrier immediately. The enactment of a statutory liability cap may qualify your organization for a premium reduction.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • "Unstable Surfaces" Exception: The law allows suits for dangerous conditions involving "unstable roads, surfaces, or subsurfaces." In the off-road industry, instability (mud, loose gravel) is often the product. Plaintiffs will attempt to classify track features as "defects." Operators should explicitly list surface instability as an inherent risk in waivers to mitigate this.
  • Spectator Zones: A spectator becomes a "participant" (and thus subject to the liability shield) only if they enter an "unauthorized area." The statute does not define how these areas must be marked. Reliance on signs alone may be insufficient; physical barriers are recommended to define "authorized" spectator zones.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Mar 14, 2025
Passed House
May 16, 2025
Passed Senate
May 28, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
TopicsAmusements, Games, SportsCivil Remedies & LiabilitiesVehicles & TrafficVehicles & Traffic--generalSignsRecreational & All-terrain Vehicles
03

House Authors

Rep. Brad BuckleyRepublican · Primary Author
Joint Authors

Senate Sponsor

Sen. Charles PerryRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

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More from Rep. Brad Buckley

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about HB5624

Q

What does Texas HB5624 do?

HB5624 enacts an immediate statutory liability shield for motorized off-road vehicle entities, protecting them from claims involving injuries inherent to the activity. However, this protection is conditional: it is void if mandatory signage is not posted, and it explicitly excludes liability protection for claims arising from employee training failures or rental vehicle defects. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: June 20, 2025 (Immediately effective due to supermajority vote).

Q

Who authored HB5624?

HB5624 was authored by Texas Representative Brad Buckley during the Regular Session.

Q

When was HB5624 signed into law?

HB5624 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

How urgent is compliance with HB5624?

The compliance urgency for HB5624 is rated as "critical". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

Q

What is the cost impact of HB5624?

The cost impact of HB5624 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does HB5624 address?

HB5624 addresses topics including amusements, games, sports, civil remedies & liabilities, vehicles & traffic, vehicles & traffic--general and signs.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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