Alaska

Recreational Use/Recreational Trespass Laws

Ala. Code 1975 35.15.21 through 35-15-28; also 9.65.200

§ 35-15-21. Definitions

Unless the context thereof clearly indicates to the contrary, as used in this article the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) OWNER. Any public or private organization of any character, including a partnership, corporation, association, any individual, or any federal, State or local political subdivision or any agency of any of the foregoing having a legal right of possession of outdoor recreational land. For the purpose of this article, an employee or agent of the owner, but not an independent contractor while conducting activities upon the outdoor recreational land, is deemed to be an owner.

(2) OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL LAND. Land and water, as well as buildings, structures, machinery and other such appurtenances used for or susceptible of recreational use.

(3) RECREATIONAL USE or RECREATIONAL PURPOSE. Participation in or viewing of activities including, but not limited to, hunting, fishing, water sports, aerial sports, hiking, camping, picnicking, winter sports, animal or vehicular riding, or visiting, viewing or enjoying historical, archeological, scenic or scientific sites, and any related activity.

(4) PERSON. Any individual, regardless of age, maturity, or experience.

(5) COMMERCIAL RECREATIONAL USE. Any use of land for the purpose of receiving consideration for opening such land to recreational use where such use or activity is profit-motivated. Consideration does not include any benefits provided by law in accordance with this article, any other state or federal law, or in the form of good will for permitting recreational use as stated in this article; nor does consideration include a charge by the landowner for maintenance fees where the primary use of the land is for other than public recreational purposes.

§ 35-15-22. Inspection and warning not required

Except as specifically recognized by or provided in this article, an owner of outdoor recreational land who permits non-commercial public recreational use of such land owes no duty of care to inspect or keep such land safe for entry or use by any person for any recreational purpose, or to give warning of a dangerous condition, use, structure, or activity on such land to persons entering for such purposes.

§ 35-15-23. Limitations on legal liability of owner

Except as expressly provided in this article, an owner of outdoor recreational land who either invites or permits non-commercial public recreational use of such land does not by invitation or permission thereby:

(1) Extend any assurance that the outdoor recreational land is safe for any purpose;
(2) Assume responsibility for or incur legal liability for any injury to the person or property owned or controlled by a person as a result of the entry on or use of such land by such person for any recreational purpose; or
(3) Confer upon such person the legal status of an invitee or licensee to whom a duty of care is owed.

§ 35-15-24. Otherwise existing liability not limited

(a) Nothing in this article limits in any way legal liability which otherwise might exist when such owner has actual knowledge:
(1) That the outdoor recreational land is being used for non-commercial recreational purposes;
(2) That a condition, use, structure, or activity exists which involves an unreasonable risk of death or serious bodily harm;
(3) That the condition, use, structure or activity is not apparent to the person or persons using the outdoor recreational land; and
(4) That having this knowledge, the owner chooses not to guard or warn, in disregard of the possible consequences.

(b) The test set forth in subsection (a) of this section shall exclude constructive knowledge by the owner as a basis of liability and does not create a duty to inspect the outdoor recreational land.

(c) Nothing in this article shall be construed to create or expand any duty or ground of liability or cause of action for injury to persons on property.

§ 35-15-25. Duty of care by persons using outdoor recreational land

Nothing in this article shall be construed to relieve any person using outdoor recreational land open for non-commercial public recreational use from any obligation which such person may have in the absence of this article to exercise care in the use of such land and in the activities thereon, or from legal consequences of failure to employ such care.

§ 35-15-26. Provisions not applicable to commercial recreational enterprise

The liability limitation provisions of this article shall not apply in any cause of action arising from acts or omissions occurring on or connected with land upon which any commercial recreational enterprise is conducted.

§ 35-15-28. Owner must establish public use

(a) The liability limitation protection of this article may be asserted only by an owner who can reasonably establish that the outdoor recreational land was open for non-commercial use to the general public at the time of the injury to a person using such land for any public recreational purpose. Any owner may create a rebuttable presumption of having opened land for non-commercial public recreational use by:
(1) Posting signs around the boundaries and at the entrance(s) of such land; or
(2) Publishing a notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality in which the outdoor recreational land is situated, and describing such land; or
(3) Recording a notice in the public records of any county in which any part of the outdoor recreational land is situated, and describing such land; or
(4) Any act similar to subdivisions (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (a), which is designed to put the public on notice that such outdoor recreational land is open to non-commercial public recreational use.

(b) The assertion of any of the provisions of the article by an owner shall not be construed to be (1) expressed or implied dedication; (2) granting of an easement; or (3) granting of an irrevocable license, to any person or the public to use such outdoor recreational land.

(c) Any person who enters non-commercial outdoor recreational land for any recreational purpose either with or without an invitation or permission from the owner, and either with or without knowledge that the land is held open for non-commercial public recreational use is subject to the provisions of this article.

(d) The availability of outdoor recreational land for non-commercial public use may be conditioned upon reasonable restrictions on the time, place and manner of public use as the owner shall establish.

§ 09.65.200. Tort immunity for personal injuries or death occurring on unimproved land

(a) An owner of unimproved land is not liable in tort, except for an act or omission that constitutes gross negligence or reckless or intentional misconduct, for damages for the injury to or death of a person who enters onto or remains on the unimproved portion of land if
(1) the injury or death resulted from a natural condition of the unimproved portion of the land or the person entered onto the land for recreation; and
(2) the person had no responsibility to compensate the owner for the person's use or occupancy of the land.

(b) This section does not enhance or diminish rights granted under former 43 U.S.C. 932 (R.S. 2477).

(c) In this section, "unimproved land" includes land that contains
(1) a trail;
(2) an abandoned aircraft landing area; or
(3) a road built to provide access for natural resource extraction, but which is no longer maintained or used.

Financial Incentives for Public Access

Property Tax Incentives:
Current Use Programs: 

Only 25 municipalities in Alaska levy a property tax. For the municipalities that levy tax, Alaska does have current use taxation for agricultural land.

Statute: Stat. § 29.45.060 (2008)

Method of Assessment: Full and true value for farm use http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/LOGON/tax/tax-prop.htm

Application: Application required Stat. § 29.45.060 (b)

Penalty: Alaska will penalize landowners who change the current use of their land by an amount equal to the tax that would have been owed if the land wasn’t assessed as agricultural plus 8% for the preceding 7 years. Stat. § 29.45.060(a) (2008)

Current Use Taxation for open-space land: 

Alaska has no current use taxation to promote open space or recreation.

Tax incentive specifically for providing access: 

Alaska has no tax incentives to provide hunter access.

Tax Incentive when land is subject to Conservation Easement: 

Alaska does provide a tax incentive for land subject to conservation easements.

Statute: AS § 29.45.062

Valuation: Land that is subject to a conservation easement shall be assessed on the basis of full and true value for use subject to the conservation easement and may not be assessed as though it was not subject to the conservation easement. The assessor shall maintain records valuing the land for both full and true value and value subject to the conservation easement.

Penalty: The municipality may, by ordinance, require that if the land is sold, leased, or otherwise disposed of for uses incompatible with the conservation easement or if the conservation easement is conveyed to the owner of the property, the owner shall pay to the municipality an amount equal to the additional tax at the current mill levy together with eight percent interest for the preceding 10 years, as though the land had not been assessed subject to the conservation easement.

Process: To secure the assessment under this section, an owner of land subject to a conservation easement shall apply to the assessor before May 15 of each year in which the assessment is desired. The application must be made upon forms prescribed by the assessor and must include information that may reasonably be required to determine the entitlement of the applicant.

View all states with tax incentives when land is subject to conservation easementHide all states with tax incentives when land is subject to conservation easement
Income Tax: 

Alaska has no tax credits or incentives for the donation of land or conservation easements.

View all states with no tax incentives for donation of land or conservation easement Hide all states with no tax incentives for donation of land or conservation easement
Hunter Access Program: 

No programs classified as “state administrated walk-in hunter access programs” were identified in this state via general internet search. However, for more accurate information regarding this state’s hunter access programs or efforts, please view the Hunting Heritage Action Plan Hunter Access Program Assessment Survey Report.

Case Law

There are no available case laws for the recreational use/recreational trespass laws of this particular state.