SB 0832 - Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note - SB 0832 - Regulates Amusement Rides

L.R. NO.  3149-01
BILL NO.  SB 832
SUBJECT:  Amusement and Sports:  Department of Public Safety
TYPE:     Original
DATE:     February 1, 1996



                              FISCAL SUMMARY
                    ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS


FUND AFFECTED              FY 1997             FY 1998           FY 1999
None

Total Estimated
Net Effect on All
State Funds                     $0                  $0                $0

                   ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS


FUND AFFECTED              FY 1997             FY 1998           FY 1999
None

Total Estimated
Net Effect on All
Federal Funds                   $0                  $0                $0

                    ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS


FUND AFFECTED              FY 1997             FY 1998           FY 1999
Local Government                $0                  $0                $0

                              FISCAL ANALYSIS

ASSUMPTION

Officials of the Department of Public Safety - Division of Fire Safety
estimated that there would be twenty accidents per year reported to their
office for inspections.  DFS officials also estimated that it would take
twenty-four hours per inspection.  DFS staff stated that they would elect to
contract out the inspection responsibilities.  Twenty accidents (20) per year
x twenty-four (24) hours  x $50/hour = $24,000 for inspections.  Because the
proposal states that the cost of any such inspection would be paid for by the
owner of the amusement ride, DFS assumes that this proposal would have no
state fiscal impact.

FISCAL IMPACT - State Government FY 1997   FY 1998   FY 1999
                                (10 Mo.)

                                       0         0         0

FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government FY 1997   FY 1998   FY 1999
                                (10 Mo.)

                                       0         0         0

DESCRIPTION
This proposal would establish guidelines for the reporting and inspection of
fatalities and serious injuries which occurred from amusement rides or
related electrical equipment.  It would require an operator of an amusement
ride to cease operation of a ride immediately after a serious accident had
occurred and provide the Director of the Department of Public Safety with an
accident report within 24 hours of the accident.  The Department would be
required to conduct inspections on any amusement rides where a serious
accident had occurred.  These inspections must be done within 24 hours of
receipt of a report of an accident and in a manner that is not disruptive of
unrelated commercial activities.  Inspections would be paid by the owner of
the amusement ride.

This proposal would require owners and operators of amusement rides to retain
maintenance and inspection records for at least three (3) years.  It would
provide an exemption for playground equipment and would also exempt the state
from any liability arising from a serious accident involving an amusement
ride.

Any person who knowingly operated an amusement ride in violation of the
provisions of this proposal would be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other
program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental
space.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Department of Public Safety - Division of Fire Safety