BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 897

By: Ortega

Insurance

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There are concerns about the inadequacy of current protections regarding the safety and well‑being of Texans who attend amusement parks. H.B. 897 seeks to strengthen these protections by establishing requirements relating to safety for an amusement ride attendant directly operating an amusement ride.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 897 amends the Occupations Code to require an amusement ride attendant, defined by the bill as a person directly operating an amusement ride, to be at least 16 years of age and trained in the proper use and operation of the amusement ride the attendant is operating. The bill prohibits such an attendant from directly operating an amusement ride while the attendant is directly and simultaneously operating another amusement ride or if operation by the attendant constitutes the offense of assembling or operating an amusement ride while intoxicated.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.