Panel OKs bill to close amusement ride loophole - 14 News, WFIE, Evansville, Henderson, Owensboro

Panel OKs bill to close amusement ride loophole

Posted: Updated:
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -

Kentucky is coming closer to closing a loophole that allows amusement ride operators to avoid paying fines for safety violations.

The House Committee on Agriculture and Small Business has approved a bill that requires operators to pay fines regardless of a change in their business's name or ownership. Operators have been able to dodge fines after transferring ownership or renaming themselves, according to Sen. Morgan McGarvey, D-Louisville, the bill's sponsor. McGarvey told The Associated Press his bill stems from a state investigation into an amusement ride operator. The senator declined to comment further because the investigation is ongoing.

The bill was approved on a 21-0 vote Monday. It now proceeds to the full House for consideration. The Senate already approved the bill.

The legislation is Senate Bill 103.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)