Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

Texas House Bill HB1553 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New	Differences
1	1	H.B. No. 1553
2	2
3	3
4	4	AN ACT
5	5	relating to the definition of amusement ride for purposes of
6	6	amusement ride regulation.
7	7	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
8	8	SECTION 1. Section 2151.002(1), Occupations Code, is
9	9	amended to read as follows:
10	10	(1) "Amusement ride" means a mechanical device that
11	11	carries passengers along, around, or over a fixed or restricted
12	12	course or within a defined area for the purpose of giving the
13	13	passengers amusement, pleasure, or excitement. The term does not
14	14	include:
15	15	(A) a coin-operated ride that:
16	16	(i) is manually, mechanically, or
17	17	electrically operated;
18	18	(ii) is customarily placed in a public
19	19	location; and
20	20	(iii) does not normally require the
21	21	supervision or services of an operator;
22	22	(B) nonmechanized playground equipment,
23	23	including a swing, seesaw, stationary spring-mounted animal
24	24	feature, rider-propelled merry-go-round, climber, playground
25	25	slide, trampoline, and physical fitness device; [or]
26	26	(C) a challenge course or any part of a challenge
27	27	course that is excepted from this chapter under Section 2151.107;
28	28	or
29	29	(D) a waterslide, even if operated by a
30	30	mechanical device, in which passengers are carried along a course
31	31	that:
32	32	(i) is less than 200 feet in length;
33	33	(ii) is substantially constructed from
34	34	vinyl or vinyl coated polyester; and
35	35	(iii) is not mechanically inflated using a
36	36	continuous airflow device [if the person who operates the challenge
37	37	course has an insurance policy currently in effect written by an
38	38	insurance company authorized to do business in this state or by a
39	39	surplus lines insurer, as defined by Chapter 981, Insurance Code,
40	40	or has an independently procured policy subject to Chapter 101,
41	41	Insurance Code, insuring the operator against liability for injury
42	42	to persons arising out of the use of the challenge course, in an
43	43	amount not less than:
44	44	[(i) for facilities with a fixed location:
45	45	[(a) $100,000 bodily injury and
46	46	$50,000 property damage per occurrence, with a $300,000 annual
47	47	aggregate; or
48	48	[(b) a $150,000 per occurrence
49	49	combined single limit, with a $300,000 annual aggregate; and
50	50	[(ii) for facilities other than those with
51	51	a fixed location:
52	52	[(a) $1,000,000 bodily injury and
53	53	$500,000 property damage per occurrence; or
54	54	[(b) $1,500,000 per occurrence
55	55	combined single limit].
56	56	SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
57	57	______________________________ ______________________________
58	58	President of the Senate Speaker of the House
59	59	I certify that H.B. No. 1553 was passed by the House on April
60	60	14, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 134, Nays 9, 2 present, not
61	61	voting.
62	62	______________________________
63	63	Chief Clerk of the House
64	64	I certify that H.B. No. 1553 was passed by the Senate on May
65	65	19, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
66	66	______________________________
67	67	Secretary of the Senate
68	68	APPROVED: _____________________
69	69	Date
70	70	_____________________
71	71	Governor