What Is “The National Amusement Park Ride Safety Act”?
The National Amusement Park Ride Safety Act, introduced by Congressman Ed Markey, would repeal a 1981 loophole exempting thrill rides at amusement parks from federal safety oversight. The act would give the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) the same rights and responsibilities over permanent amusement rides that it currently has over mobile rides, including the authority to: • Investigate accidents • Develop and enforce action plans to correct defects • Require reports to the CPSC whenever a substantial hazard is identified • Act as a national clearinghouse for accident and defect data Section 3 of the bill would authorize appropriations of $500,000 annually to enable the CPSC to carry out the purposes of the Act. With 300 million people visiting U.S. amusement parks every year, that works out to 1/6 of a penny for every visitor.
