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Committee examines inflatable‑device rules, inspector qualifications and new permit fees
Summary
Reviser and witnesses described changes to the Kansas Amusement Ride Act in HB2229: relaxed inspector experience requirements, operator training tied to manufacturer guidance, and a graduated permit fee schedule; small rental operators warned the changes still add cost and complexity.
The committee heard House Bill 2229, which would amend the Kansas Amusement Ride Act to change qualifications for qualified inspectors and operators of inflatable devices and create a graduated permit fee schedule.
Kyle Hamilton, the reviser, told the committee the bill applies the qualified‑inspector provisions to all inflatable devices (not only those rented regularly at temporary sites), removes the five‑year prior‑experience requirement in some cases and makes operator training valid for five years. It also breaks out annual permit fees for inflatable devices: $100 for 10 or fewer devices, $175 for 11–24 devices, and $250 for 25 or more.
Derek Franklin, who operates an event rental business in Atchison, said the original law was written after the 2016 Schlitterbahn incident in Kansas City, Kan., but that grouping inflatables with heavier mechanical rides has proved burdensome for small rental businesses. "It's just one more expense that we have to ensure," Franklin said, arguing the licensing and fees make the small‑business rental market less competitive and invite out‑of‑state operators to undercut local businesses. He estimated his business would save roughly $250–$300 annually and about 80 hours of labor each year if regulatory burdens were eased.
The Kansas Department of Labor, represented by Secretary Amber Schultz, said KDL is neutral on the proposed changes to inspector qualifications but warned the fee schedule could increase administrative complexity for the agency, create uncertainty about how fees are calculated when operators’ device counts change, and potentially reduce overall fee revenue — possibly increasing reliance on state general funds. "KDAL is actually neutral to the proposed change to the qualifications for the inspectors, but I do want to focus a little bit on the fee schedule," Schultz said.
No opponents appeared; the hearing was closed after neutral testimony. The committee did not vote on HB2229 during this session.
