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Senate panel approves bill to shift inflatable-ride inspections to annual schedule
Summary
The Senate Insurance & Commerce Committee advanced SB263 to change inspections of inflatable amusement devices from every six months to annually, and to give the Department of Labor director authority to adopt rules for problems that arise. The bill passed the committee.
Senate Bill 263, presented to the Senate Insurance & Commerce Committee by Senator Cheatham, would change the inspection cycle for inflatable amusement devices used at parties, churches and events from every six months to an annual inspection and give the Arkansas Department of Labor director authority to adopt rules if problems arise.
Cheatham said many inflatable operators rent equipment statewide and that the six‑month inspection requirement had become burdensome for small operators, citing a case in which a provider would have had to hire an out‑of‑state inspector to meet a six‑month schedule. “It’s too burdensome,” he said, and told the committee the Department of Labor supports the change.
The bill also clarifies related insurance provisions after some carriers read existing code to require biannual inspections. Cheatham said the bill aligns Arkansas with states that rely on annual inspections and gives the department flexibility to respond to safety issues.
Senator Chesterfield moved the do‑pass motion and Senator Ervin seconded. The committee voted to pass SB263.
The committee’s action sends SB263 forward in the legislative process; no formal roll‑call tally was recorded in the hearing transcript.
