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Bill

Bill

HB 488

Require amusement parks provide real-time ride operation status

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sean Brennan and 2 co-sponsors

Ohio parks must display real-time ride operation status to help visitors plan visits and reduce frustration from unexpected closures.

Referred to committee
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 488

Legislative bill overview

HB 488 requires amusement parks in Ohio to provide real-time information about ride operational status to visitors. The bill aims to improve visitor experience by allowing guests to know which attractions are currently operating before arriving at the park or while navigating the grounds.

Why is this important

Long wait times for closed rides frustrate visitors and waste their time and money. Real-time status updates could help families plan their park visits more efficiently and reduce disappointment from unexpected closures. This directly affects consumer experience at a major entertainment venue.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Parks would need to invest in technology systems to track and display real-time ride status across multiple platforms (website, mobile apps, in-park displays)
  • Liability concerns: Parks may worry that providing closure information creates documentation that could be used against them in legal disputes over ride safety or maintenance issues
  • Operational burden: Frequent status updates require park staff resources, and determining what constitutes "real-time" (immediate updates vs. periodic refreshes) could create compliance disputes
  • Competitive impact: Requirements may affect smaller parks differently than large corporate chains with existing digital infrastructure

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

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