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HB 2229

Amending the Kansas amusement ride act relating to inspections of amusement rides and inflatable devices, training regarding the operation of amusement rides and inflatable devices and establishing an annual permit fee for inflatable devices.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Allen Reavis

HB 2229 updates Kansas Amusement Ride Act to require inspections and new permits for inflatable devices, tighten inspector training, and shift fees to device owners.

Died in Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 2229

Summary — HB 2229 (Kansas)

Title: Amending the Kansas Amusement Ride Act — inspections, training, qualifications, and annual permit fee for inflatable devices
Introduced: January 29, 2025 (Rep. Reavis)
Status: Referred to House Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development
Fiscal note dated: February 20, 2025

Main purpose and intent

HB 2229 would update the Kansas Amusement Ride Act to clarify definitions and regulatory coverage, modernize qualifications and training requirements for inspectors and operators (with specific provisions for inflatable devices), require inspections of certain rides/devices, and establish an annual permit fee structure for inflatable devices based on the number owned and operated.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions and scope
    • Adds or revises definitions such as “antique amusement ride,” “limited-use amusement ride,” and “registered agritourism activity.” (Example: “antique amusement ride” defined as manufactured before Jan. 1, 1930; “limited-use” defined for nonprofit, community-based organizations operated <20 days or 160 hours per year at one location.)
    • Clarifies what is and is not considered an “amusement ride” (explicit examples include inflatable devices, commercial zip lines, trampoline courts, water slides, etc.; several specific exceptions are listed).
  • Inflatable devices
    • Creates a new permit/fee structure for inflatable devices: annual permit fees tiered by the number of devices an applicant owns/operates (bill text sets the structure; fiscal note projects the fee-change effect).
    • Requires inspections and updates operator-training and inspector-qualification requirements that specifically address inflatable devices (including temporary/rental inflatables erected at temporary locations).
  • Qualifications and training
    • Updates the definition of “qualified inspector,” listing multiple pathways (licensed professional engineer with ride experience; multi-year amusement-ride experience; or recognized third-party certifications such as NAARSO, AIMS, ACCT).
    • Provides a pathway specific to inflatable-device inspectors: e.g., five years’ experience working with inflatables plus third‑party advanced inflatable safety operations certification; training validity (example: five years) noted in the text.
  • Regulatory adjustments
    • Amends K.S.A. 44-1601, 44-1602, 44-1605 and 44-1616 and repeals existing sections as necessary to implement changes.

Who is affected

  • Owners and operators of amusement rides, especially inflatable-device owners/operators (private businesses, event rental companies, carnivals, parks).
  • Nonprofit/community organizations operating limited-use rides and registered agritourism sites.
  • Qualified inspectors and training providers (testing/training demand and credentialing).
  • Kansas Department of Labor (administration, inspections, permitting, audits).
  • Patrons and the public (safety and oversight changes).

Fiscal and procedural impacts

  • Fiscal note (Kansas Division of the Budget / Dept. of Labor): HB 2229 could increase the number of audits and thereby agency expenditures (total fiscal effect not estimated). The change to the inflatable-device fee structure is projected to decrease state revenues by approximately $25,000 annually. The estimated impacts were not included in the FY 2026 Governor’s Budget Report.
  • Next procedural step: Bill is in committee (Commerce, Labor and Economic Development) following introduction on Jan. 29, 2025.

Practical effect

If enacted, the bill would tighten/clarify regulatory oversight of a range of amusement rides with particular attention to inflatable devices — changing who must be inspected and trained, how inspectors are qualified, and how inflatable-device permitting is funded. This aims to improve safety and oversight while shifting fee responsibilities and potentially increasing administrative workload for the Department of Labor.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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