Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the responsibility and liability of property owners for public places in cities, prohibiting fines, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions
Sponsored by the Senate Local Government Committee
Topics:Courts & civil lawCities & counties
Same legislation: SSB 1118
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 13, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 13, 2025
- Done: Senate committeeJanuary 28, 2026
- Done: Passes the SenateMarch 2, 202644–0
- Done: House committeeMarch 19, 2026
- Stopped: Passes the HouseDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary If a city requires property owners to clear snow and ice from sidewalks, those owners can now be held responsible if they fail to take reasonable care. Cities are no longer allowed to fine property owners for not clearing these areas. If a city has to clear the snow or ice itself, it can only charge the owner for the actual cost of materials and labor.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to the responsibility and liability of an abutting property owner for public places in a city such as sidewalks. Under current law, an abutting property owner may be required by a city ordinance to remove natural accumulations of snow and ice within a reasonable time and maintain public sidewalks or other property between the property line and the curb line. The bill adds that an abutting property owner may be liable if the property owner fails to use reasonable care in maintaining sidewalks or other property between the property line and the curb line if required by a city ordinance. The bill prohibits a city from assessing a fine against an abutting property owner for failure to remove snow and ice from the sidewalks within a reasonable amount of time and for failure to maintain all property from the property line to the curb.12(2), within a reasonable time, a city may perform the required action and assess the costs against the abutting property for collection in the same manner as a property tax.12(2)(b) or (c). The bill takes effect upon enactment and applies retroactively to June 13, 2024.
Why it matters. Property owners who live next to public sidewalks or curbs would be liable if they fail to use reasonable care in maintaining that area when required by a city ordinance. Cities would no longer be allowed to fine these property owners for failing to remove snow and ice or for failing to maintain the area between the property line and the curb. If a city performs the required maintenance itself, it may only assess material and direct labor costs against the property owner.2
Changed since by amendment S-5043; see Amendments.
Senate subcommittee
Named January 13, 2026 (as SSB 1118). On January 22, 2026 it recommended amendment and passage.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
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91st General Assembly