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CS/HB 1275 — Amusement Rides
by Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee and Representatives Pritchett and Davis (CS/SB 1228 by Agriculture Committee and Senator Book)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Agriculture Committee (AG)
The bill modernizes the permitting and inspection processes of amusement ride safety. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (department) is required to inspect all amusement rides in Florida, except those at large parks with more than 1,000 employees and inspectors on staff. Specifically, the bill:
- Includes amusement ride managers as a responsible party for ensuring compliance with state regulations;
- Conforms state standards for testing, materials, electric, and fire protection to national standards;
- Separates the permitting process for permanent and temporary amusement rides and streamlines the application process;
- Authorizes the department to revise the 6-month inspection interval at permanent facilities;
- Exempts permanent rides from department inspection when inspected by an accredited trade organization;
- Requires ride documents to be submitted to the department in electronic format;
- Revises exemptions for museums and other exhibition related institutions;
- Requires signage containing department contact information to be displayed at temporary amusement ride events;
- Requires certification to the department before a modified ride is placed back in operation;
- Grants subpoena powers to the department;
- Criminalizes the refusal or failure to testify pursuant to a department subpoena;
- Increases the limit for administrative fines from up to $2,500 to up to $10,000 per violation; and
- Allows the department to impose an additional fine of $10,000 or more for violations resulting in serious injury or death.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2020.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 115-0