ELIMINATE CARNIVAL-AMUSEMENT SAFETY BOARD

House Bill 4691

Sponsor:  Rep. Andrea LaFontaine

Committee:  Regulatory Reform

Complete to 5-13-13

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4691 AS INTRODUCED 5-2-13

The bill would repeal the following sections of the Carnival-Amusement Safety Act of 1966:

o                   Section 3 (MCL 408.653), which established the Carnival-Amusement Safety Board and set its membership.  Under the act, the board consists of seven members, including the director of the Department of Licensing and Regulation (now called the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs) and six members representing park operators, ride operators, retail merchants, professional engineers, and the general public.

o                   Section 4 (MCL 408.654), which requires the Board to conduct its business at public meetings, sets minimum meeting dates, and provides for the election of officers.

o                   Section 5 (MCL 408.655), which requires the Legislature to annually establish the per diem compensation of board members and the schedule for reimbursement of expenses.

In eliminating the Carnival-Amusement Safety Board, the responsibility to promulgate rules for the safe installation, repair, maintenance, use, operation, and inspection of all carnival-amusement rides would be transferred to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 4691 would have a nominal fiscal impact on the Corporations, Securities, and Commercial Licensing Bureau (CSCLB) within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to the extent that LARA would no longer be required to reimburse travel expenses for members of the Carnival-Amusement Safety Board ($0 in FY 2012). LARA has not paid per diem compensation to members of the Board since the Legislature ceased annually establishing such compensation in the early 2000s.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Jeff Stoutenburg

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Paul Holland

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.