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, the bill's sponsor. McGarvey says 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 unanimously Monday. It now proceeds to the full House for consideration. The Senate already approved the bill.