Bills › 89th General Assembly
Establishing a minimum age and training requirements for attendants who control amusement rides, and making penalties applicable
Topics:State government
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 15, 2021
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 28, 2021
- Done: Senate committeeFebruary 16, 2021
- Done: Passes the SenateApril 7, 202129–15
- Skipped: House committeeSkipped
- Done: Passes the HouseFebruary 23, 202176–17
- Done: To the GovernorApril 30, 2021
- Done: Signed into lawApril 30, 2021
HF 558 became law → The same legislation passed as HF 558, so this version was set aside. Go to HF 558 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary People working at carnivals or fairs who operate amusement rides must be at least a certain age and finish specific training before they start. If an operator breaks rules set by the labor commissioner regarding ride inspections, they could face a serious misdemeanor charge. This punishment includes potential jail time and a fine.1
Read the official explanation
This bill provides that an attendant who controls patron restraints or the operation, starting, stopping, or speed of an amusement ride shall be at least years of age. The bill requires the operator of a carnival or fair to require that a person complete training prior to beginning work as an attendant. The bill specifies minimum topics for such training. A person who violates any order or rule issued by the labor commissioner pursuant to state law governing inspection of amusement rides is guilty of a serious misdemeanor. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $430 but not more than $2,560.
Senate subcommittee
Named January 28, 2021. On February 4, 2021 it recommended passage.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Fiscal note
Cost: up to $7,500 Compare with other bills
AI summary This bill requires amusement ride attendants to be at least 16 years old and mandates specific training for carnival or fair operators. The bill is expected to have no fiscal impact to the Iowa Department of Workforce Development, but the fiscal impact to the state due to new criminal penalties is unknown. The estimated impact to the state General Fund includes operating costs for the Judicial Branch, the Indigent Defense Fund, and the Department of Corrections.3
Read the fiscal note
Description
House File 558 relates to amusement rides. The Bill provides that an attendant who controls patron restraints or the operation, starting, stopping, or speed of an amusement ride shall be at least 16 years of age. The Bill requires the operator of a carnival or fair to require that a person complete training specified in the Bill prior to beginning work as an attendant. The Bill also defines violations of any order or rule issued by the Labor Commissioner pursuant to this legislation as serious misdemeanors, punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $430 but not more than $2,560.
Background
There is currently no minimum age requirement in statute (Iowa Code chapter 88A) for the operation of amusement rides. The Division of Labor within the Iowa Department of Workforce Development (IWD) administers safety inspections of amusement rides. 875 IAC 62.2 specifies minimum age requirements for the operation of amusement rides and sets the minimum age at 18 to operate most amusement rides.
Assumptions
The Division of Labor will implement any statutory and rule changes using existing staff and appropriations.
Correctional Impact
The correctional impact of the Bill cannot be estimated, as the Bill creates a new crime with no historical data. Refer to the Legislative Services Agency (LSA) memo addressed to the General Assembly, Cost Estimates Used for Correctional Impact Statements, dated January 22, 2021, for information related to the correctional system.
Minority Impact
A minority impact may not be able to be estimated, as this is a new crime with no historical data. Refer to the LSA memo addressed to the General Assembly, Minority Impact Statement, dated January 27, 2021, for information related to minorities in the criminal justice system.
Fiscal Impact
The Bill is expected to have no fiscal impact to the IWD. The fiscal impact to the State due to the introduction of a criminal penalty is unknown. The average State cost per offense for a serious misdemeanor ranges from $410 to $7,500. The estimated impact to the State General Fund includes operating costs incurred by the Judicial Branch, the Indigent Defense Fund, and the Department of Corrections.
Sources
- Legislative Services Agency
- Iowa Department of Workforce Development
- Iowa Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning Division, Department of Human Rights
The estimate held steady
4- Final Fiscal Note — Amusement Park Operator Age · June 7, 2021 · $7,500
- Amusement Park Operator Age · February 19, 2021 · $7,500
- Amusement Park Operator Age · February 18, 2021 · $7,500