HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5145

                       As Passed House

                        April 5, 1993

Title:  An act relating to amusement rides.

Brief Description:  Regulating bungee jumping.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce (originally sponsored by Senator Winsley).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Commerce & Labor, March 24, 1993, DPA;

Passed House - Amended, April 5, 1993, 91-3.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Heavey, Chair; G. Cole, Vice Chair; Lisk, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Conway; Horn; King; Springer; and Veloria.

Staff:  Jim Kelley (786-7166).

Background:  The operation of bungee jumping devices is covered, in part, by existing statutes related to the inspection, permitting and insurance coverage requirements for "amusement rides."

Bungee jumping devices operated at carnivals, fairs or amusement parks are required to be inspected and permitted before beginning operation.  Only bungee jumping devices that utilize a mechanical crane are subject to current inspection and permitting requirements.  Bungee jumping devices operated on bridges, piers or other locations not specifically mentioned in statute are not required to be inspected or permitted.

Bungee jumping devices that have major parts such as the crane, person lift, bungee cord, or landing device replaced are not required to be inspected after replacement of any of these parts.

Amusement ride operators, including bungee jumping operators that are subject to inspection and permitting requirements, are charged a fee of $10 for each operating permit.

Summary of Bill:  All bungee jumping devices operated in this state are subject to the statutes related to the inspection, permitting and insurance coverage requirements for "amusement rides."

All major parts of the bungee jumping device, including but not limited to the crane, person lift, bungee cords and landing device must be inspected prior to beginning operation and on an annual basis thereafter.  Any major part of the bungee jumping device that is replaced must be inspected and permitted.  If the bungee jumping device is relocated, or if a new owner purchases the bungee jumping device, reinspection and permitting is required.

The Department of Labor and Industries may charge a reasonable fee of up to $100 for each permit issued to a bungee jumping operator.  Fees collected are deposited into the general fund.  Funds may be appropriated to the department to cover the costs of permitting and inspecting bungee jumping devices.

Permission must be granted by public or private owners of bridges, land or water before bungee jumping is allowed from the bridge or into the land or water.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Once a bungee jumper leaps, the jumper's safety is completely out of his or her control.  Therefore, bungee jumping should be regulated in the same manner as amusement rides.  This is a fad, like the hula hoop, but hula hoops were not dangerous.  There have been fatal accidents in other states and other countries.  We should be proactive, instead of waiting for one of our citizens to die before we act.

Testimony Against:  The fairs are concerned about any attempt to tamper with the amusement ride statute, since that law was the result of significant negotiations.

Witnesses:  Senator Shirley Winsley, Prime Sponsor (in favor); and Marlyta Deck, Washington State Fairs Association (neutral).