MINIATURE HOBBY LOCOMOTIVE - S.B. 1168 (S-2): FLOOR ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 1168 (Substitute S-2 as reported)

Sponsor: Senator John J.H. Schwarz, M.D.

Committee: Economic Development, International Trade and Regulatory Affairs

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Boiler Act to exempt a miniature hobby locomotive operating on narrow gauge tracks less than 24 inches wide from the Act's regulations regarding the use, construction, installation, and repair of boilers.

The bill would require the Department of Consumer and Industry to inspect annually a miniature hobby locomotive operating in a public display or for public use. ("Public display or use" would mean display to or use by the general public but not the owner or the owner's family.) The inspection would have to be conducted by a deputy inspector or special inspector, or by a miniature hobby locomotive club. The fee for an inspection conducted by a deputy or special inspector would be $15. Upon demonstration that the miniature hobby locomotive boiler complied with the applicable rules, the Department would have to issue a certificate of inspection to the owner.

The Director would have to promulgate rules regarding the inspection, certification, and adoption by reference or establishment of inspection or certification standards for boilers used in miniature hobby locomotives. The rules would have to include a procedure for approval and authorization of miniature hobby locomotive clubs to perform inspections and certify boilers used in the locomotives.

In addition, the Board of Boiler Rules would have to approve a miniature hobby locomotive club applying for approval to inspect and certify boilers used in the locomotives upon determining that the club complied with and applied the inspection and certification standards established in the rules. After approval and authorization by the Board, the club could inspect boilers and certify that a miniature hobby locomotive complied with the standards.

The bill is tie-barred to Senate Bill 1167, which would amend the Carnival-Amusement Safety Act to exempt hobby locomotives from the Act's inspection, licensing, and regulation provisions for carnival and amusement rides.

Proposed MCL 408.757c - Legislative Analyst: N. Nagata

FISCAL IMPACT

This bill would allow the boiler division to collect a $15 fee for the inspection of a miniature hobby locomotive. It is difficult to predict how much revenue would be generated by this new fee, as the number of miniature hobby locomotives operated by steam is unknown.

Date Completed: 9-17-98 - Fiscal Analyst: M. Tyszkiewicz

FLOOR\SB1168 - Analysis available @ http://www.michiganlegislature.org

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.