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Showmen's group urges committee to remove proposed increases to mechanical ride inspection fees
Summary
The Greater Ohio Showmen's Association told the committee proposed fee changes in the agriculture budget would substantially raise costs for family ride operators while shifting relief to inflatable operators; the group urged removal of the proposed mechanical-ride fee increases.
Eric Derman, executive board liaison and communications director for the Greater Ohio Showmen's Association, told the House Agricultural Committee that proposed changes to permitting and inspection fees would raise costs for mechanical ride operators and asked the committee to remove those changes from the budget.
"The proposed increase will cost a typical ride company 20% more in inspection fees in 2025," Derman said in testimony representing more than 450 members who operate food concessions, games and amusement rides at county fairs and other events.
Why it matters: the proposed fee adjustments discussed by the Ohio Department of Agriculture would reallocate permit/inspection costs across ride categories — increasing fees for many mechanical rides (family, major, spectacular, tower rides and roller coasters) while lowering permit fees for inflatables. Operators told the committee those changes would raise the annual inspection bills for family businesses that supply county fairs and community events.
Industry testimony and examples Derman said Ohio already has an extensive inspection regime and an “exemplary record” for ride safety. He said past fee changes and new supplemental fees tied to Tyler’s Law inspections have increased costs; the association asked lawmakers not to further increase fees on mechanical‑ride operators. As an example, Derman gave a permit/inspection pair used by some operators: a $225 permit and a $200 inspection fee for a family ride, paid annually when the inspection is performed.
Quantitative note: the witness described the average Ohio ride company as paying about $11,000 in inspection fees two years ago and about $15,000 last year. He said the proposed changes would increase annual bills further; a projected dollar figure quoted in testimony was unclear in the transcript and should be verified with the witness or department for precision.
Department process and advisory input Director Baldridge told the committee the fee review was informed by a 16‑member advisory board convened by the governor representing multiple industry sectors; the department described the fee change as an attempt to align permit and inspection fees with inspection effort and staff time required for different ride classes.
Committee reaction Lawmakers questioned whether inspection frequency or quality would change; both the witness and the department said inspections would not be reduced and that the proposal reallocates fees rather than eliminating inspections. Members emphasized public‑safety concerns and asked for cost justifications from the department to explain the proposed fee structure.
Ending note The association asked the committee to remove the mechanical‑ride fee increases from the budget and requested the department provide clearer, itemized cost data to justify any fee reallocation.
