Bill Says Injuries Your Fault House Passes Measure Designed For Silverwood

Legislation designed to relieve Silverwood amusement park from possible lawsuits passed the House Thursday on a 35-33 vote. It goes to the Senate.

Rep. Hilde Kellogg, R-Post Falls, told lawmakers, “The intent … is to increase the safety and enjoyment of the public at an amusement park. It talks about responsibility.”

The bill would make riders, rather than operators, responsible for injuries and accidents at amusement parks as long as the parks meet certain minimum standards.

But Rep. Mark Stubbs, R-Twin Falls, an attorney, urged lawmakers to oppose the bill, saying it had “a fatal flaw.”

The bill includes “water parks” as well as amusement parks, Stubbs said. It says customers are responsible for whatever happens to them there, as long as the operator meets industry-set standards for rides.

“Does that mean we no longer have to train lifeguards for water parks?” Stubbs asked. “All they have to do is follow these specific rules, that were written by the industry, and they don’t have to take reasonable care.”

Kellogg said she wished Stubbs had raised his objection earlier, and she would have been glad to amend the bill.

Reps. Jeff Alltus, R-Coeur d’Alene; Tom Dorr, R-Post Falls; Kellogg; Wayne Meyer, R-Rathdrum; Don Pischner, R-Coeur d’Alene; and Marv Vandenberg, D-Coeur d’Alene; voted yes. Reps. Carol Pietsch and Jim Stoicheff, both Sandpoint Democrats, voted no.

, DataTimes