LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Farmers and ranchers who open their property to tourists could be shielded from certain lawsuits under a bill advancing through the Nebraska Legislature.

Senators gave the proposal first-round approval Thursday with a 33-1 vote. Sen. Ken Schilz of Ogallala says he introduced it to promote rural tourism and give farmers and ranchers another potential revenue source without the fear of lawsuits.

A 2012 Nebraska Tourism Commission report found that liability concerns were a major roadblock to the tourism industry’s growth in the state.

Schilz says the bill would not allow property owners to be careless. Landowners would only be protected if an injury was due to an “inherent risk” of the land, unless the owner knew of a danger and failed to disclose it.