Committee hears bill to codify amusement-ride safety standards in Montana

Senators in the Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 110, a proposal to add explicit ride‑safety language into state code and to require routine inspections and minimum liability coverage for fixed-site amusement rides. Sponsor Senator McCamey opened the hearing, saying the measure is intended to improve safety for guests and employees at parks and other fixed‑site attractions.

Amy Grimales, representing IAAPA (the Global Association of the Attractions Industry), told the committee the bill would align Montana law with ASTM International standards and with other states that have enacted similar language. Grimales said the bill adds definitions for a “qualified inspector,” defines “serious injury or illness,” requires pre‑opening daily inspections by operators and documentation of annual inspections by ASTM‑certified inspectors, and includes a patron‑responsibility provision allowing operators to eject patrons who violate rules. “Montana is one of the last two states without key amusement‑ride safety language that aligns with industry best practices,” she said, and provided an ASTM handout to the committee.

On the insurance and claims side, attorney Al Smith (listed on the record as representing the Montana Bridal Lawyers Association) said he supports inspections but proposed amendments. He recommended raising the draft minimum liability limits above the bill’s figures and asked the committee to clarify the clause that reads “exclusive of daily interest and costs.” Smith also asked that operators be required to provide injured parties, at the time an injury report is filed, with the most recent inspection certificate and the name, address and telephone number of the inspector, plus copies of daily inspection logs; he said such access would help injured people and their counsel determine whether a claim should be filed.

During committee questioning, Vice Chair Trebas and other members asked whether Montana has locally available qualified inspectors and how daily inspections would be documented. Zachary Stokes, appearing by Zoom, explained that the model used in other states is to rely on ASTM‑certified inspectors for annual or periodic inspections while trained operator staff perform the daily pre‑opening checks; annual inspections would be documented by the qualified inspector and daily checks kept by the operator. Committee members also asked whether ski‑area equipment is covered; Grimales said ski‑area operations are regulated under a different code section and would likely be handled separately.

Proponents said they were willing to meet with opponents and the legislative staff to refine language. Senator McCamey closed by urging a timely process for amendments and a do‑pass recommendation. The hearing ended with no committee vote recorded.

What’s next: Committee members requested written amendments and additional materials (member and operator lists, ASTM clarification on the insurance phrase). The bill remains pending executive action.