CARNIVAL-AMUSEMENT RIDE INSPECTORS

Senate Bill 981 as reported from House committee

Sponsor:  Sen. Joe Hune

House Committee:  Agriculture

Senate Committee:  Agriculture

Complete to 12-2-18                                                               (Enacted as Public Act 424 of 2018)

SUMMARY:

Senate Bill 981 would amend the Carnival-Amusement Safety Act to require the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to hire or retain an individual as the direct supervisor of inspectors.

LARA currently may hire inspectors to inspect carnival-amusement rides. The bill would instead require LARA to hire inspectors, as well as an individual to supervise the inspectors who LARA determines is qualified in engineering and training.

The act currently requires the chief carnival-amusement ride inspector to be licensed in Michigan as a professional engineer. The bill would eliminate this language and instead allow LARA to decide which inspectors are sufficiently qualified in engineering and training to act as the direct supervisor.

MCL 408.659

HOUSE COMMITTEE ACTION:

The House Committee on Agriculture reported the Senate-passed version of the bill without amendment.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Senate Bill 981 would not have an impact on expenditures or revenues for any unit of state or local government.

POSITIONS:

Representatives of the following organizations testified in support of the bill (11-28-18):

Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions

T.J. Schmidt Carnival

The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs indicated support for the bill. (11-28-18)

                                                                                         Legislative Analyst:   Emily S. Smith

                                                                                                 Fiscal Analyst:   Marcus Coffin

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