Senate Bill 1460e2

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.







    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to amusement rides; amending s.

  3         616.242, F.S.; providing safety standards for

  4         amusement rides; providing for owner

  5         responsibility; providing scope; providing

  6         definitions; requiring adoption of specified

  7         standards and rules; prohibiting the operation

  8         of amusement rides without a permit and

  9         affidavit of compliance; providing for testing

10         of amusement rides; requiring inspections;

11         providing fees; providing insurance

12         requirements; providing exemptions; prescribing

13         inspections standards for amusement rides;

14         authorizing employees of the Department of

15         Agriculture and Consumer Services to inspect

16         and investigate; requiring owners to inspect

17         amusement rides; providing for the training of

18         employees of amusement rides; prohibiting

19         specified bungy operations; providing fees;

20         providing for denial, suspension, and

21         revocation of permits and inspection

22         certificates; providing for issuance of orders,

23         enforcement, and penalties; amending ss.

24         212.08, 570.46, 616.13, F.S.; conforming

25         provisions; providing an effective date.

26

27  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

28

29         Section 1.  Section 616.242, Florida Statutes, is

30  amended to read:

31         (Substantial rewording of section. See


                                  1

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1         s. 616.242, F.S., for present text.)

  2         616.242  Safety standards for amusement rides.--

  3         (1)  OWNER RESPONSIBILITY.--The owner of an amusement

  4  ride, and each amusement ride, must meet at all times the

  5  requirements of this section and any rules adopted thereunder.

  6         (2)  SCOPE.--This section applies to all amusement

  7  rides within this state unless exempt under subsection (10).

  8         (3)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section, the term:

  9         (a)  "Amusement ride" means any building, structure, or

10  mechanical device or combination thereof through which a

11  patron moves, walks, or is carried or conveyed on, along,

12  around, over, or through a fixed or restricted course or

13  within a defined area for the purpose of giving its patrons

14  amusement, pleasure, thrills, or excitement.

15         (b)  "Annual permit" means the United States Amusement

16  Identification Number and the numbered and dated decal issued

17  by the department, which signify that the amusement ride has

18  been permitted by the department.

19         (c)  "Bungy operation" means an amusement ride which

20  utilizes as a component a bungy cord which is an elastic rope

21  made of rubber, latex, or other elastic type materials whether

22  natural or synthetic.

23         (d)  "Go-kart" means an amusement ride vehicle

24  controlled or driven by patrons specifically designed for and

25  run on a fixed course.

26         (e)  "Inspection certificate" means the document issued

27  by the department, which indicates that the amusement ride has

28  undergone a recurring inspection by the department as required

29  by this section.

30         (f)  "Kiddie ride" means an amusement ride designed

31  primarily for use by patrons up to 12 years of age.


                                  2

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1         (g)  "Kiddie train" means a train designed as a kiddie

  2  ride which is operated on a flat surface or flat track,

  3  carries no more than 14 patrons, and does not exceed a speed

  4  of 3 miles per hour.

  5         (h)  "Major modification" means any change in either

  6  the structural or operational characteristics of the amusement

  7  ride which will alter its performance from that specified in

  8  the manufacturer's design criteria.

  9         (i)  "Manager" means a person having possession,

10  custody, or managerial control of an amusement ride, whether

11  as owner, lessee, agent, operator, attendant, or otherwise.

12         (j)  "Nondestructive testing" is the development and

13  application of technical methods, including, but not limited

14  to, radiographic, magnetic particle, ultrasonic, liquid

15  penetrant, electromagnetic, neutron radiographic, acoustic

16  emission, visual, and leak testing to examine materials or

17  components in ways that do not impair the future usefulness

18  and serviceability in order to detect, locate, measure, and

19  evaluate discontinuities, defects, and other imperfections; to

20  assess integrity, properties and composition; and to measure

21  geometrical characters.

22         (k)  "Owner" means the person exercising ultimate

23  dominion and control over an amusement ride.

24         (l)  "Patron" means any person who is in the immediate

25  vicinity of an amusement ride, getting on or off, or entering

26  or exiting  an amusement ride, or using an amusement ride. The

27  term does not include employees, agents, or servants of the

28  owner while they are engaged in the duties of their

29  employment.

30         (m)  "Permanent amusement ride" means an amusement ride

31  that is not regularly relocated.


                                  3

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1         (n)  "Permanent facility" means a location or place

  2  from which amusement rides are not regularly relocated and at

  3  which such rides operate as a lasting part of the premises.

  4         (o)  "Private event" means an event that is not open to

  5  the general public and where no admission is charged.

  6         (p)  "Professional engineer" means a person who holds a

  7  valid license as a professional engineer issued by the

  8  Department of Business and Professional Regulation or by an

  9  equivalent licensing body in another state.

10         (q)  "Qualified inspector" means an employee or agent

11  of an insurance underwriter of an amusement ride who documents

12  to the department in a manner established by rule of the

13  department the following qualifications:

14         1.  A minimum of 5 years experience in the amusement

15  ride field, at least 2 years of which were involved in actual

16  amusement ride inspection with a manufacturer, government

17  agency, park, carnival, or insurance underwriter;

18         2.  The completion of 32 hours per year of continuing

19  education at a school approved by rule of the department,

20  which includes inservice industry or manufacturer updates and

21  seminars; and

22         3.  At least 80 hours of formal education during the

23  past 5 years from a school approved by rule of the department

24  for amusement ride safety. Nondestructive-testing training, as

25  determined by rule of the department, may be substituted for

26  up to one-half of the 80 hours of education.

27         (r)  "Simulator" means any amusement ride that is a

28  self-contained unit requiring little or no assembly and that

29  uses a motion picture simulation, along with a mechanical

30  movement, to simulate activities that provide amusement or

31  excitement for the patron.


                                  4

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1         (s)  "Temporary amusement ride" means an amusement ride

  2  that is regularly relocated, with or without disassembly.

  3         (t)  "Water park" means a permanent facility with one

  4  or more amusement rides that totally or partially immerse a

  5  patron in water.

  6         (4)  ADOPTION OF STANDARDS; RULES.--

  7         (a)  The department shall adopt by rule standards for

  8  amusement rides which are the same as or similar to the

  9  following national standards:

10         1.  American Society for Testing and Materials

11  Committee F-24 Standards on Amusement Rides and Devices.

12         2.  National Electric Code Handbook, Article 525.

13         3.  National Fire Protection Code 101 (chapters 8-4.6

14  and 9-4.6).

15         4.  ASTM Standards: E543 Practice for Determining the

16  Qualification of Nondestructive Testing Agencies.

17         5.  ASNT Document Recommended Practice SNT-TC-1A

18  Personnel Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive

19  Testing.

20         (b)  The department may adopt rules necessary to

21  effectuate the statutory duties of the department in the

22  interest of public health, safety, and welfare and to promote

23  patron safety in the design, construction, assembly,

24  disassembly, maintenance, and operation of amusement rides in

25  this state.

26         (c)  The Legislature finds that go-karts, amusement

27  rides at water parks, and bungy operations are amusement rides

28  that, because of their unique nature, pose safety risks to

29  patrons distinct from other amusement rides.  Therefore, the

30  department shall adopt rules regulating their safe use and

31  operation and establish safety standards and inspection


                                  5

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1  requirements in addition to those required by this section or

  2  other rule of the department.

  3         (d)  The Legislature finds that, as a result of

  4  accidents or other unforeseen events, circumstances may arise

  5  requiring additional safety standards for the protection of

  6  patrons of amusement rides, and therefore the department may

  7  adopt rules to address the circumstances that may arise

  8  following an accident or unforeseen event.

  9         (5)  ANNUAL PERMIT.--

10         (a)  An amusement ride may not be operated without a

11  current annual permit.

12         (b)  To apply for an annual permit an owner must submit

13  to the department a written application on a form prescribed

14  by rule of the department, which must include the following:

15         1.  The legal name, address, and primary place of

16  business of the owner.

17         2.  A description, manufacturer's name, serial number,

18  model number and, if previously assigned, the United States

19  Amusement Identification Number of the amusement ride.

20         3.  A valid certificate of insurance or bond for each

21  amusement ride.

22         4.  An affidavit of compliance that the amusement ride

23  was inspected in person by the affiant and that the amusement

24  ride is in general conformance with the requirements of this

25  section and all applicable rules adopted by the department.

26  The affidavit must be executed by a professional engineer or a

27  qualified inspector no earlier than 60 days before the date of

28  the filing of the application with the department.

29         5.  If required by subsection (6), an affidavit of

30  nondestructive testing dated and executed no earlier than 60

31


                                  6

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1  days prior to the date of the filing of the application with

  2  the department.

  3         6.  A request for inspection.

  4         7.  A copy of the manufacturer's current recommended

  5  operating instructions in the possession of the owner, the

  6  owner's operating fact sheet, and any written bulletins in the

  7  possession of the owner concerning the safety, operation, or

  8  maintenance of the amusement ride.

  9         (c)  An annual permit must be issued by the department

10  to the owner of an amusement ride when a completed application

11  has been received, the amusement ride has passed the

12  department's inspection, and all applicable fees, as set by

13  rule of the department, have been paid.

14         (d)  The annual permit is valid for 1 year from the

15  date of issue and is not transferable.

16         (e)  The annual permit must be displayed on the

17  amusement ride in a place visible to patrons of the amusement

18  ride.

19         (f)  Each go-kart track at the same permanent facility

20  is considered a separate amusement ride.

21         (g)  Amusement rides at water parks which operate from

22  the same deck or level are considered one amusement ride.

23         (6)  NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING; AFFIDAVIT; EXEMPTIONS.--

24         (a)  Except as provided in paragraph (d), an owner may

25  not operate an amusement ride unless the owner has at all

26  times a current affidavit of nondestructive testing from a

27  professional engineer or qualified inspector that the

28  amusement ride has undergone nondestructive testing for metal

29  fatigue at least annually. The nondestructive testing for

30  metal fatigue must be conducted more often than annually, if

31  required by any rule adopted under this section, by the


                                  7

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1  manufacturer of the amusement ride or by the professional

  2  engineer or qualified inspector executing the affidavit of

  3  nondestructive testing. The nondestructive testing for metal

  4  fatigue must consist at least of visual nondestructive

  5  testing; in addition, nonvisual nondestructive testing for

  6  metal fatigue must be conducted on the components of the

  7  amusement ride as required by any rule adopted under this

  8  section, by the manufacturer of the amusement ride, or by the

  9  professional engineer or qualified inspector executing the

10  affidavit of nondestructive testing.

11         (b)  Nondestructive testings must be performed by a

12  technician who meets the requirements of subparagraphs

13  (4)(a)4. and 5.

14         (c)  An affidavit of nondestructive testing must state:

15         1.  That the amusement ride was inspected in person by

16  the affiant.

17         2.  That all nondestructive testing requirements are

18  current.

19         3.  That the nondestructive testing was performed by a

20  qualified nondestructive testing technician.

21         4.  The components of the amusement ride for which the

22  manufacturer has recommended or required nondestructive

23  testing.

24         5.  The type of nondestructive testing required or

25  recommended by the manufacturer.

26         6.  The frequency of the nondestructive testing

27  required or recommended by the manufacturer.

28         7.  The components of the amusement ride for which the

29  affiant has recommended or required nondestructive testing.

30         8.  The type of nondestructive testing required or

31  recommended by the affiant.


                                  8

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1         9.  The frequency of the nondestructive testing as

  2  required or recommended by the affiant.

  3         10.  That visual nondestructive testing is adequate for

  4  the amusement ride to be in general conformance with the

  5  requirements of this section, and all applicable rules, if

  6  only visual nondestructive testing is required or recommended

  7  by either the manufacturer or the affiant.

  8         (d)  Nondestructive testing is not required for fun

  9  houses, houses of mirrors, haunted houses, mazes, wave pools,

10  wave-making devices, kiddie pools, slides that are fully

11  supported by an earthen mound, nonmotorized playground

12  equipment that requires a manager, or lazy-river-type

13  nonmotorized floating carriers propelled by water.

14         (7)  DEPARTMENT INSPECTIONS.--

15         (a)  In order to obtain an annual permit, an amusement

16  ride must be inspected by the department in accordance with

17  subsection (11) and receive an inspection certificate. In

18  addition, each permanent amusement ride must be inspected

19  semi-annually by the department in accordance with subsection

20  (11) and receive an inspection certificate, and each temporary

21  amusement ride must be inspected by the department in

22  accordance with subsection (11), and must receive an

23  inspection certificate each time the ride is set up or moved

24  to a new location in this state unless the temporary amusement

25  ride is:

26         1.  Used at a private event;

27         2.  Used at a public event when there are no more than

28  three amusement rides at the event, and the capacity of each

29  amusement ride at the event does not exceed eight persons;

30         3.  A simulator, the capacity of which does not exceed

31  16 persons; or


                                  9

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1         4.  A kiddie train used at a public event if there are

  2  no more than three amusement rides at the event.

  3         (b)  To obtain a department inspection for an amusement

  4  ride, the owner must submit to the department on a form

  5  prescribed by rule of the department a written Request for

  6  Inspection. The owner must provide the following information

  7  to the department:

  8         1.  The legal name, address, and primary place of

  9  business of the owner.

10         2.  A description, manufacturer's name, serial number,

11  model number, and the United States Amusement Identification

12  Number, if previously assigned, of the amusement ride.

13         3.  For a temporary amusement ride, for each time the

14  amusement ride is set up or moved to a new location, the date

15  of first intended use at the new location and the address or a

16  description of the new location.

17         (c)  For permanent amusement rides the request for

18  inspection must be received by the department at least 15 days

19  before the owner's planned opening date or at least 15 days

20  before the expiration of the prior inspection certificate.  If

21  the request for inspection is received less than 15 days

22  before the owner's planned opening date or less than 15 days

23  before the expiration of the prior inspection certificate, the

24  department may nevertheless inspect the amusement ride and

25  charge a late fee, as set by rule of the department.

26         (d)  For temporary amusement rides, the request for

27  inspection must be received by the department for each time

28  the amusement ride is set up or moved to a new location at

29  least 14 days before the date of first intended use at the new

30  location.  If the request for inspection is received less than

31  14 days before the date of first intended use at the new


                                  10

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1  location, the department may nevertheless inspect the

  2  amusement ride and charge a late fee, as set by rule of the

  3  department.

  4         (e)  Inspections will be assigned on a first come first

  5  served basis, and overflow requests will be scheduled on the

  6  closest date to the date for which the inspection was

  7  requested.

  8         (f)  Upon failure of an amusement ride to pass any

  9  department inspection, the owner may request reinspection

10  which shall be submitted in writing to the department on a

11  form prescribed by rule of the department. The department

12  shall reinspect the amusement ride as soon as practical

13  following receipt of the written request for reinspection and

14  any applicable reinspection fees set by rule of the

15  department. Inspections will be assigned on a first come first

16  served basis, and the overflow requests will be scheduled on

17  the closest date to the date for which the inspection was

18  requested.

19         (g)  If the amusement ride passes inspection and the

20  owner pays the applicable fee set by rule of the department,

21  the department shall issue an inspection certificate, on a

22  form prescribed by rule of the department.

23         (h)  The inspection certificate must contain the date

24  of inspection, the site of the inspection, and the name of the

25  inspector.

26         (i)  The inspection certificate is valid only for the

27  site stated on the inspection certificate. The inspection

28  certificate is valid for a period of not more than 6 months

29  from the date of issuance, and is not transferable.

30

31


                                  11

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1         (j)  The inspection certificate must be displayed on

  2  the amusement ride at a place readily visible to patrons of

  3  the amusement ride.

  4         (k)  If the owner fails to timely cancel a Request for

  5  Inspection, requests holiday or weekend inspections, or is

  6  required to have a replacement USAID plate issued by the

  7  department, the owner may be charged an appropriate fee to be

  8  set by rule of the department.

  9         (8)  FEES.--

10         (a)  The department shall by rule establish fees to

11  cover 100 percent of all costs and expenditures associated

12  with the Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection, including all direct

13  costs, all indirect costs, and all division, data center and

14  administrative overhead. The fees must be deposited in the

15  General Inspection Trust Fund.

16         (b)  Any owner of an amusement ride who has not paid

17  all the fees required under this section or who has any unpaid

18  fine outstanding under this section may not operate any

19  amusement ride in this state until the fees and fines have

20  been paid to the department.

21         (9)  INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS.--

22         (a)  An owner may not operate an amusement ride unless

23  the owner has in effect at all times of operation insurance

24  meeting the following requirements:

25         1.  An insurance policy in an amount of not less than

26  $1 million per occurrence, $1 million in the aggregate, which

27  insures the owner of the amusement ride against liability for

28  injury to persons arising out of the use of the amusement

29  ride; or

30

31


                                  12

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1         2.  A bond in a like amount; however, the aggregate

  2  liability of the surety under the bond may not exceed the face

  3  amount thereof.

  4         (b)  The policy or bond must be procured from an

  5  insurer or surety that is licensed to transact business in

  6  this state or that is approved as a surplus lines insurer.

  7         (10)  EXEMPTIONS.--

  8         (a)  This section does not apply to:

  9         1.  Permanent facilities that employ at least 1,000

10  full-time employees and that maintain full-time, in-house

11  safety inspectors. Furthermore, the permanent facilities must

12  file an affidavit of the annual inspection required by

13  paragraph (5)(b). Additionally, the Department of Agriculture

14  and Consumer Services may consult annually with the permanent

15  facilities regarding industry safety programs. 

16         2.  Any playground operated by a school, local

17  government, or business licensed under chapter 509, if the

18  playground is an incidental amenity and the operating entity

19  is not primarily engaged in providing amusement, pleasure,

20  thrills, or excitement.

21         3.  Museums or other institutions principally devoted

22  to the exhibition of products of agriculture, industry,

23  education, science, religion, or the arts.

24         4.  Conventions or trade shows for the sale or exhibit

25  of amusement rides if there are a minimum of 15 amusement

26  rides on display or exhibition, and if any operation of such

27  amusement rides is limited to the registered attendees of the

28  convention or trade show.

29         5.  Skating rinks, arcades, lazer or paint ball war

30  games, bowling alleys, miniature golf courses, mechanical

31  bulls, inflatable rides, trampolines, ball crawls, exercise


                                  13

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1  equipment, jet skis, paddle boats, air boats, helicopters,

  2  airplanes, parasails, hot air or helium balloons whether

  3  tethered or untethered, theatres, batting cages, stationary

  4  spring-mounted fixtures, rider-propelled merry-go-rounds,

  5  games, side shows, live animal rides, or live animal shows.

  6         6.  Go-karts operated in competitive sporting events if

  7  participation is not open to the public.

  8         7.  Nonmotorized playground equipment that is not

  9  required to have a manager.

10         8.  Coin-actuated amusement rides designed to be

11  operated by depositing coins, tokens, credit cards, debit

12  cards, bills, or other cash money and which are not required

13  to have a manager, and which have a capacity of six persons or

14  less.

15         9.  Facilities described in s. 549.09(1)(a) when such

16  facilities are operating cars, trucks, or motorcycles only.

17         (b)  The department may, by rule, establish exemptions

18  from this section for nonmotorized or human-powered amusement

19  rides or coin-actuated amusement rides.

20         (11)  INSPECTION STANDARDS.--An amusement ride must

21  conform to and must be inspected by the department in

22  accordance with the following standards:

23         (a)  All mechanical, structural, and electrical

24  components that affect patron safety must be in good working

25  order.

26         (b)  All control devices, speed-limiting devices,

27  brakes, and safety equipment designated by the manufacturer

28  must be in good working order.

29         (c)  Parts must be properly aligned, and they may not

30  be bent, distorted, cut, or otherwise injured to force a fit.

31  Parts requiring lubrication must be lubricated in the course


                                  14

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1  of assembly. Fastening and locking devices must be installed

  2  where required for safe operation.

  3         (d)  Before being used by the public, an amusement ride

  4  must be placed or secured with blocking, cribbing, outriggers,

  5  guys, or other means so as to be stable under all operating

  6  conditions.

  7         (e)  Areas in which patrons may be endangered by the

  8  operation of an amusement ride must be fenced, barricaded, or

  9  otherwise effectively guarded against inadvertent contact.

10         (f)  Machinery used in or with an amusement ride must

11  be enclosed, barricaded, or otherwise effectively guarded

12  against inadvertent contact.

13         (g)  An amusement ride powered so as to be capable of

14  exceeding its maximum safe operating speed must be provided

15  with a maximum-speed-limiting device.

16         (h)  The interior and exterior parts of all

17  patron-carrying amusement rides with which a patron may come

18  in contact must be smooth and rounded and free from sharp,

19  rough, or splintered edges and corners, with no projecting

20  studs, bolts, screws, or other projections which might cause

21  injury.

22         (i)  All amusement rides must comply with this section

23  and the rules adopted hereunder.

24         (12)  MAJOR MODIFICATION.--After an amusement ride has

25  undergone a major modification, and prior to the time it is

26  placed in operation, a professional engineer licensed by the

27  state in which the certification is performed must certify

28  that the amusement ride is in compliance with this section and

29  all rules adopted pursuant thereto.

30         (13)  ENTRY FOR INSPECTION OR INVESTIGATION.--Upon

31  presentation of identification, an authorized employee of the


                                  15

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1  department may enter unannounced and inspect amusement rides

  2  at any time and in a reasonable manner and has the right to

  3  question any owner or manager; to inspect, investigate,

  4  photograph, and sample all pertinent places, areas, and

  5  devices; and to conduct or have conducted all appropriate

  6  tests including nondestructive testing. The department may

  7  impose fees for unannounced inspections and recover the cost

  8  of tests authorized by this subsection.

  9         (14)  REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION OF ACCIDENTS AND

10  DEFECTS; IMPOUNDMENTS.--

11         (a)  Any accident of which the owner or manager has

12  knowledge or, through the exercise of reasonable diligence

13  should have knowledge, and for which a patron is transported

14  to a hospital, as defined in chapter 395, must be reported by

15  the owner or manager to the department by telephone or

16  facsimile within 4 hours after the occurrence of the accident.

17         (b)  Any mechanical, structural, or electrical defects

18  affecting patron safety for which an amusement ride is closed

19  to patron use for more than 4 hours must be reported by the

20  owner or manager to the department by telephone or facsimile

21  within 8 hours after the closing of the ride. A written report

22  of the closing of the ride, on a form prescribed by rule of

23  the department, must be filed by the owner or manager with the

24  department within 24 hours after the closing of the amusement

25  ride.

26         (c)  The department may impound an amusement ride

27  involved in an accident for which a patron is transported to a

28  hospital as defined in chapter 395 or which has a mechanical,

29  structural, or electrical defect affecting patron safety, and

30  may impound any other amusement ride of a similar make and

31  model, and may perform all necessary tests to determine the


                                  16

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1  cause of the accident or the mechanical, structural, or

  2  electrical defect, or to determine the safety of the amusement

  3  ride and any other amusement ride of a similar make and model.

  4  The cost of impounding the amusement ride and performing the

  5  necessary tests must be borne by the owner of the amusement

  6  ride.

  7         (15)  INSPECTION BY OWNER OR MANAGER.--Prior to opening

  8  on each day of operation and prior to any inspection by the

  9  department, the owner or manager of an amusement ride must

10  inspect and test the amusement ride to ensure compliance with

11  all requirements of this section. Each inspection must be

12  recorded on a form prescribed by rule of the department and

13  signed by the person who conducted the inspection. Inspection

14  records of the last 14 daily inspections must be kept on site

15  by the owner or manager and made immediately available to the

16  department upon request.

17         (16)  TRAINING OF EMPLOYEES.--The owner or manager of

18  any amusement ride shall maintain a record of employee

19  training for each employee authorized to operate, assemble,

20  disassemble, transport, or conduct maintenance on an amusement

21  ride, on a form prescribed by rule of the department. The

22  training record must be kept on site by the owner or manager

23  and made immediately available to the department upon request.

24  Training may not be conducted when an amusement ride is open

25  to the public unless the training is conducted under the

26  supervision of an employee who is trained in the operation of

27  that ride. The owner or manager shall certify that each

28  employee is trained, as required by this section and any rules

29  adopted thereunder, on the amusement ride for which the

30  employee is responsible.

31


                                  17

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1         (17)  PROHIBITIONS RELATED TO BUNGY OPERATIONS.--The

  2  following bungy operations are prohibited:

  3         (a)  A bungy operation conducted with balloons, blimps,

  4  helicopters, or other aircraft.

  5         (b)  Sand bagging, which is the practice of holding

  6  onto any object, including another person, while bungy

  7  jumping, for the purpose of exerting more force on the bungy

  8  cord to stretch it further, and then releasing the object

  9  during the jump causing the jumper to rebound with more force

10  than could be created by the jumper's weight alone.

11         (c)  Tandem or multiple bungy jumping.

12         (d)  Bungy jumping from any bridge, overpass, or any

13  other structure not specifically designed as an amusement

14  ride.

15         (18)  IMMEDIATE FINAL ORDERS.--

16         (a)  An amusement ride that fails to meet the

17  requirements of this section or pass the inspections required

18  by this section, or an amusement ride that is involved in an

19  accident for which a patron is transported to a hospital as

20  defined in chapter 395, or an amusement ride that has a

21  mechanical, structural, or electrical defect that affects

22  patron safety may be considered an immediate serious danger to

23  public health, safety, and welfare and, upon issuance of an

24  immediate final order prohibiting patron use of the ride, may

25  not be operated for patron use until it has passed a

26  subsequent inspection by or at the direction of the

27  department.

28         (b)  An amusement ride of a similar make and model to

29  an amusement ride described in paragraph (a) may be considered

30  an immediate serious danger to the public health, safety, and

31  welfare and, upon issuance of an immediate final order


                                  18

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1  prohibiting patron use of the ride, may not be operated for

  2  patron use until it has passed a subsequent inspection by or

  3  at the direction of the department.

  4         (19)  ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES.--

  5         (a)  The department may deny, suspend for a period not

  6  to exceed 1 year, or revoke any permit or inspection

  7  certificate. In addition to denial, suspension, or revocation,

  8  the department may impose an administrative fine of up to

  9  $2,500 per violation, per day, against the owner of the

10  amusement ride if it finds that:

11         1.  An amusement ride has operated or is operating:

12         a.  With a mechanical, structural, or electrical defect

13  that affects patron safety, of which the owner or manager has

14  knowledge, or, through the exercise of reasonable diligence,

15  should have knowledge;

16         b.  In a manner or circumstance that presents a risk of

17  serious injury to patrons;

18         c.  At a speed in excess of its maximum safe operating

19  speed;

20         d.  In violation of this section or any rule adopted

21  under this section; or

22         e.  In violation of any order of the department or

23  order of any court.

24         2.  Any manager in the course of his or her duties is

25  under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

26         (b)  The department shall, in its order suspending a

27  permit or inspection certificate, specify the period during

28  which the suspension is effective; but such period may not

29  exceed 1 year.  The permit or inspection certificate shall

30  remain suspended during the period so specified, subject,

31  however, to any rescission or modification of the order by the


                                  19

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1  department, or modification or reversal thereof by the court,

  2  prior to expiration of the suspension period.

  3         (c)  The owner of an amusement ride, if the permit or

  4  inspection certificate for the amusement ride has been revoked

  5  by the department, may not apply for another permit or

  6  inspection certificate for the amusement ride within 2 years

  7  after the date of such revocation. If judicial review is

  8  sought and a stay of the revocation is obtained, the owner may

  9  not apply for another permit or inspection certificate within

10  2 years after the final order of the court sustaining the

11  revocation.

12         (d)  During the period of suspension or revocation of a

13  permit or inspection certificate, the owner may not engage in

14  or attempt to engage in any operation of the amusement ride

15  for which a permit or inspection certificate is required under

16  this section.

17         (e)  When a suspension period imposed by the department

18  has expired, an owner whose annual permit or inspection

19  certificate has expired may reapply for a new permit or

20  inspection certificate by submitting a complete application to

21  the department.

22         (f)  In addition to the remedies provided in this

23  section, and notwithstanding the existence of any adequate

24  remedy at law, the department may bring an action to enjoin

25  the violation of any provision of this section, or rules

26  adopted under this section, in the circuit court of the county

27  in which the violation occurs or is about to occur. Upon

28  competent and substantial evidence presented by the department

29  to the court of the violation or threatened violation, the

30  court must immediately issue the temporary or permanent

31


                                  20

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1  injunction sought by the department. The injunction must be

  2  issued without bond.

  3         (g)  In addition to the penalties authorized to be

  4  imposed for any violation of this section or any rule adopted

  5  under this section, the department may issue a letter of

  6  warning to the owner of the amusement ride specifying the

  7  violation and directing the owner to immediately correct the

  8  violation.

  9         (h)  Any person who knowingly violates any provision of

10  this section commits a misdemeanor of the second degree,

11  punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

12         Section 2.  Paragraph (jj) of subsection (7) of section

13  212.08, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

14         212.08  Sales, rental, use, consumption, distribution,

15  and storage tax; specified exemptions.--The sale at retail,

16  the rental, the use, the consumption, the distribution, and

17  the storage to be used or consumed in this state of the

18  following are hereby specifically exempt from the tax imposed

19  by this chapter.

20         (7)  MISCELLANEOUS EXEMPTIONS.--

21         (jj)  Fair associations.--Also exempt from the tax

22  imposed by this chapter is the sale, use, lease, rental, or

23  grant of a license to use, made directly to or by a fair

24  association, of real or tangible personal property; any charge

25  made by a fair association, or its agents, for parking,

26  admissions, or for temporary parking of vehicles used for

27  sleeping quarters; rentals, subleases, and sublicenses of real

28  or tangible personal property between the owner of the central

29  amusement attraction and any owner of an amusement ride

30  devices and amusement attractions, as those terms are used in

31  ss. 616.15(1)(b) and 616.242(3)(a) and (i), for the furnishing


                                  21

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1  of amusement rides devices and amusement attractions at a

  2  public fair or exposition; and other transactions of a fair

  3  association which are incurred directly by the fair

  4  association in the financing, construction, and operation of a

  5  fair, exposition, or other event or facility that is

  6  authorized by s. 616.08. As used in this paragraph, the terms

  7  "fair association" and "public fair or exposition" have the

  8  same meaning as those terms are defined in s. 616.001. This

  9  exemption does not apply to the sale of tangible personal

10  property made by a fair association through an agent or

11  independent contractor; sales of admissions and tangible

12  personal property by a concessionaire, vendor, exhibitor, or

13  licensee; or rentals and subleases of tangible personal

14  property or real property between the owner of the central

15  amusement attraction and a concessionaire, vendor, exhibitor,

16  or licensee, except for the furnishing of amusement rides

17  devices or amusement attractions, which transactions are

18  exempt.

19         Section 3.  Subsection (4) of section 570.46, Florida

20  Statutes, is amended to read:

21         570.46  Division of Standards; powers and duties.--The

22  duties of the Division of Standards include, but are not

23  limited to:

24         (4)  Administering the provisions of chapter 616

25  relating to amusement rides device inspections, inspection

26  fees, and safety requirements at public fairs and expositions,

27  carnivals, festivals, celebrations, bazaars, permanent

28  facilities, and parking lot still dates.

29         Section 4.  Section 616.13, Florida Statutes, is

30  amended to read:

31


                                  22

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    CS for SB 1460                                Second Engrossed



  1         616.13  Licenses upon shows within 5 miles of

  2  fair.--Every person engaged in the business of providing

  3  temporary amusement rides devices and amusement attractions

  4  within 5 miles of and within 30 days before or during any

  5  public fair or exposition being operated by a fair

  6  association, when not operating in connection with that fair

  7  or exposition, shall pay a license tax of $1,000 per day.

  8         Section 5.  This act shall take effect October 1, 1998.

  9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31


                                  23