The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 31: Recreation and Sports

Chapter 016: Amusement Rides

• § 721. Definitions

  As used in this chapter:

  (1) “Amusement ride” means a mechanical device that carries or conveys passengers along, around, or over a fixed or restricted route or course for the purpose of giving the passengers amusement, pleasure, thrills, or excitement. For the purposes of this chapter, amusement ride shall not include bungee jumping, zip lines, or waterslides or obstacle, challenge, or adventure courses.

  (2) “Operator” or “owner” means a person who owns or controls or has the duty to control the operation of amusement rides.

  (3) [Repealed.] (Added 1995, No. 117 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2017, No. 186 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. July 1, 2019.)

• § 722. Certificate of operation

  (a) An amusement ride may not be operated in this State unless the Secretary of State has issued a certificate of operation to the owner or operator within the preceding 12 months.

  (b) An application for a certificate of operation shall be submitted to the Secretary of State not fewer than 30 business days before an amusement ride is operated in this State.

  (c) The Secretary of State shall issue a certificate of operation not fewer than 15 business days before the amusement ride is operated in the State, if the owner or operator submits the following:

  (1) certificate of insurance in the amount of not less than $1,000,000.00 that insures both the owner and the operator against liability for injury to persons and property arising out of the use or operation of the amusement ride;

  (2) payment of a fee in the amount of $100.00;

  (3) proof or a statement of compliance with the requirements of 21 V.S.A. chapter 9.

  (d) The certificate of operation shall be valid for one year from the date of issue and shall be in a manner and format to be prescribed by the Secretary of State. A certificate of operation shall identify the ride’s:

  (1) name and model;

  (2) serial number;

  (3) passenger capacity; and

  (4) recommended maximum speed.

  (e) A copy of the certificate of operation shall be kept at the office of the amusement ride operator.

  (f) The Secretary of State shall:

  (1) determine the manner and format of the certificate of operation, any forms to be used to apply for the certificate of operation, the adhesive sticker that shall be affixed to the ride pursuant to subdivision 723a(b)(2) of this title, and the certification to be filed pursuant to subdivision 723a(b)(3) of this title;

  (2) make any forms and certifications available on the Secretary of State’s website and shall provide adhesive stickers to inspectors;

  (3) allow an owner or operator to apply for certificates of operation for multiple rides at one time, using one form;

  (4) charge one fee for the filing of each application form, regardless of the number of rides listed on the application. (Added 1995, No. 117 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2017, No. 186 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. July 1, 2019.)

• § 723. Operator and patron responsibilities

  (a) An operator of an amusement ride shall:

  (1) be at least 18 years of age;

  (2) operate only one amusement ride at a time;

  (3) be in attendance at all times that the ride is operating; and

  (4) operate the ride in accordance with the ride manufacturer’s specifications.

  (b) An operator of an amusement ride may deny any person entrance to an amusement ride if the operator believes that entrance by that person may jeopardize the safety of the person or other persons.

  (c) A patron shall:

  (1) understand that there are risks in riding an amusement ride;

  (2) exercise good judgment and act in a responsible and safe manner while riding an amusement ride; and

  (3) obey all signage that is reasonably written and posted and all directions from ride operators and owners that are given in a clear and understandable manner. (Added 1995, No. 117 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2017, No. 186 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. July 1, 2019.)

• § 723a. Safety inspections

  (a) A amusement ride shall not be operated in this State unless:

  (1) The ride has been inspected in the State within the preceding 12 months by a person who is:

  (A) certified:

  (i) by the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials as a Level II Inspector; or

  (ii) by the Amusement Industry Manufacturers and Suppliers International at a level that is equivalent to the certification pursuant to subdivision (i) of this subdivision (1)(A); and

  (B) insured, including for liability; and

  (C) not the owner or operator of the ride or an employee or agent of the owner or operator.

  (2) The inspection complied with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) current standard F770 concerning the practices for ownership, operation, maintenance, and inspection of amusement rides and devices.

  (3) A valid certificate of operation has been issued for the ride pursuant to section 722 of this title.

  (b) After a ride has been inspected pursuant to subsection (a) of this section:

  (1) The owner or operator shall submit the certificate or other record of inspection to the Secretary of State within 15 business days following the date of inspection.

  (2) An adhesive sticker, in a format to be determined by the Secretary of State, shall be affixed to the ride that indicates:

  (A) the date and location the inspection was completed; and

  (B) the name of the inspector.

  (3) The owner or operator shall submit a certification, in a format to be determined by the Secretary of State, to the organization hosting a fair, field day, or other event or location, at which the owner or operator intends to operate a ride, stating that the ride has been inspected pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and stickers have been affixed pursuant to this subsection prior to the ride being used to carry or convey passengers.

  (c) A ride shall be inspected for safety by the owner or operator:

  (1) after the ride has been set up but before being used to carry or convey passengers; and

  (2) every day thereafter that the ride is used to carry or convey passengers.

  (d) The owner or operator of an amusement ride shall:

  (1) keep records of all safety inspections;

  (2) make those records available to the Secretary of State or the Office of the Attorney General promptly upon request;

  (3) keep a paper or electronic copy of all required forms or certifications, and of all safety inspections conducted by the owner or operator during the preceding 12 months for each ride:

  (A) on or near that ride; or

  (B) at the office of the amusement ride operator; and

  (4) operate, maintain, and inspect all rides in compliance with ASTM current standards for ownership, operation, maintenance, and inspection of amusement rides and devices. (Added 2017, No. 186 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. July 1, 2019.)

• § 724. Penalty

  An operator or owner who violates any provision of this chapter shall be fined no more than $500.00 per day for each day the violation continues. (Added 1995, No. 117 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)