MontanaSB 11069th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)Senate

Revise laws relating to amusement rides and safety

Sponsored By: Wendy McKamey (Republican)

Signed by Governor

RecreationSafety

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Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.

First aid, reporting, and sober operation for operators

You must post clear signs about rider and operator duties and how to report injuries. You must provide an adequately staffed first‑aid station and a single place to report injuries; one station and one reporting spot can serve grouped operators at a site. Injured riders should report before leaving and, if possible, within 6 months, and you must give them your contact info, ride details, maintenance schedule, maker, witness contacts, and the latest inspection certificate. Keep injury reports for at least 3 years. A serious injury or illness (including death, dismemberment, major disfigurement, permanent loss of use, compound fracture, or injuries needing immediate overnight hospital admission) triggers an investigation by a qualified inspector. The ride stays closed until the inspector says it is safe, and you pay the investigation cost. If the inspector finds the rider did not follow posted rules or instructions, the investigation ends. When operating or supervising a ride, you and your employees must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Minimum liability insurance for ride operators

You must carry liability insurance from an insurer authorized or approved in Montana. The policy must cover at least $500,000 for injury or death of one person per occurrence and at least $1,000,000 per occurrence for two or more persons. These are minimum limits, exclusive of daily interest and costs.

New inspection and certification rules for operators

Every ride must be inspected by a qualified, independent inspector at least once every 12 months from the last certificate date. You cannot operate without a current inspection certificate, and you must fix any unsafe condition before a certificate is issued. You must also do daily pre‑opening checks following ASTM F770‑22 and ASTM F1193‑22 section 6, and get a new inspection after any major modification. Certificates must show compliance with ASTM F770‑22 and/or ASTM F2376‑22. Montana accepts a foreign inspection certificate if that jurisdiction’s standards are substantially equivalent. The inspector sets the inspection fee and you pay it. A qualified inspector is a professional engineer or holds Level 1 AIMS or Level 1 NAARSO certification and is not employed by the operator.

Short-term rides exempt from state rules

Rides that are set up and operate at one Montana location for 30 days or less are not “amusement rides” under this law. Those short‑term rides are not subject to the state’s inspection and certification rules.

Rider safety rules and no-refund removals

Riders must follow posted signs and operator instructions. You must board and exit only at set places and times, keep limbs inside unless told, and use all safety gear. Do not throw objects, disable safety devices, change a ride’s speed or controls, or ride while impaired. Operators may refuse service to people they reasonably believe are intoxicated. If you break these rules, you can be removed right away with no refund.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Wendy McKamey
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Ken Walsh
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 251 • No: 45

House vote • 3/25/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 94 • No: 5

House vote • 3/24/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 92 • No: 7

Senate vote • 2/10/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 33 • No: 16

Senate vote • 2/7/2025