Sec. 2.

As used in this act:

(a) “Carnival or amusement ride” means a device that carries or conveys passengers along, around, or over a fixed or restricted route or course for the purpose of giving its passengers amusement, pleasure, thrills, or excitement. Carnival or amusement ride does not include a hobby locomotive operating on narrow gauge tracks less than 24 inches and powered by steam, electricity, gas, or other fuel, whether or not it is operated on the owner's property.

(b) “Department” means the department of consumer and industry services.

(c) “Director” means the director of the department of consumer and industry services.

(d) “Hobby” means an interest or activity that a person pursues without compensation in his or her leisure time.

(e) “Operator” or “owner” means a person who owns or controls or has the duty to control the operation of a carnival or amusement ride and includes the state or any political subdivision of the state.

(f) “Rider” or “rider of a carnival or amusement ride” means a person waiting in the immediate vicinity of a carnival or amusement ride to get on the carnival or amusement ride, getting on a carnival or amusement ride, using a carnival or amusement ride, getting off a carnival or amusement ride, or leaving a carnival or amusement ride and still in the immediate vicinity of the carnival or amusement ride. Rider does not include an employee or agent of the operator while engaged in the duties of his or her employment.

(g) “Sign” means any symbol or language reasonably calculated to communicate information to a rider or the rider's parent or guardian, including placards, prerecorded messages, live public address, stickers, pictures, pictograms, video, verbal information, and visual signals.

(h) “Special inspector commission” means an authorization issued annually by the department that requires an operator, owner, or representative of the owner or operator to perform daily inspections of a carnival or amusement ride, to maintain a daily inspection log, and to be present on the premises where the ride is located while the ride is being operated.

History: 1966, Act 225, Imd. Eff. July 11, 1966 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 35, Imd. Eff. Mar. 12, 1982 ;-- Am. 1998, Act 507, Imd. Eff. Jan. 8, 1999 ;-- Am. 2000, Act 346, Eff. Mar. 28, 2001 Compiler's Notes: For transfer of powers and duties of certain occupational functions, boards, and commissions from the Department of Licensing and Regulation to the Department of Commerce, see E.R.O. No. 1991-9, compiled at MCL 338.3501 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.