National Amusement Park Ride Safety Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1855

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Commerce

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-05: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-06-25T08:07:46Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The National Amusement Park Ride Safety Act aims to expand federal oversight of amusement rides by including those permanently fixed to a site (like roller coasters in theme parks) under the Consumer Product Safety Act. This ensures these rides are regulated as consumer products to enhance safety standards.

Key Provisions

• Amendment to Definitions: Modifies Section 3(a)(5) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2052(a)(5)) to remove the exclusion for amusement rides that are permanently fixed to a site. As a result, all such rides—whether mobile or fixed—are now classified as consumer products subject to federal safety rules.
• Funding Authorization: Allocates an additional $11.5 million annually to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for oversight of amusement rides ("covered devices"). This breaks down as:
• $5 million per year for rides not permanently fixed to a site (e.g., portable carnival rides).
• $6.5 million per year for rides permanently fixed to a site.
• Definition of Covered Device: Refers to any mechanical device that carries passengers along a fixed or restricted path for amusement purposes, operated by a non-consumer employee.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Previously, the Consumer Product Safety Act excluded permanently fixed amusement rides from federal regulation as consumer products, leaving oversight primarily to state and local authorities or industry standards.
• This bill eliminates that exclusion, bringing fixed rides under CPSC jurisdiction for the first time. It does not alter the definition of amusement rides but expands its scope without creating new safety standards outright—instead, it enables the CPSC to apply existing consumer product safety rules, such as testing, recalls, and defect reporting.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The CPSC gains expanded authority and dedicated funding to inspect, regulate, and enforce safety on fixed amusement rides, potentially increasing its workload and requiring new expertise in permanent installations. This could lead to more uniform national standards, reducing reliance on varying state laws.
• On Citizens: Consumers, especially families visiting theme parks, may benefit from heightened federal safety protections, including faster responses to hazards like faulty equipment, potentially reducing injury risks from rides.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic consumer safety without addressing imports, exports, or foreign manufacturers.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Amusement Park Operators and Industry: Theme parks and fixed-ride owners (e.g., Disney, Six Flags) face new federal compliance requirements, which could increase operational costs for inspections and modifications but also standardize safety practices.
• Consumers and Riders: The primary beneficiaries, gaining federal safeguards against unsafe rides.
• Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): Receives boosted resources to handle expanded responsibilities.
• State and Local Governments: May see reduced or overlapping roles in ride regulation, potentially streamlining enforcement but requiring coordination with federal rules.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Expands the scope of federal consumer protection law without needing new rulemaking, relying on existing CPSC powers (e.g., for product recalls). This could invite lawsuits if operators challenge the reclassification as overreach, though it aligns with Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate interstate commerce affecting safety.
• Constitutional: No major issues, as it enhances rather than restricts individual rights; it promotes public welfare through safety regulation, a well-established federal role.
• Political: Introduced by bipartisan sponsors (Rep. Carson, Rep. Tlaib, Rep. McIver), it reflects growing concerns over amusement ride accidents (e.g., recent fatalities). Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, passage could signal stronger federal intervention in consumer safety amid debates over industry self-regulation versus government oversight.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

Cosponsors (6)

Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-05: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-03-05: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-05: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E186)
• 2025-03-05: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• National Amusement Park Ride Safety Act — issued 2025-03-05 — PDF (3 pages)