The Senate voted unanimously on April 1 to pass the bill that would raise the maximum fine the state Department of Agriculture could levy on a park from $1,000 to $10,000.  The agency oversees ride safety in Kentucky.

The bill was drafted in the wake of an accident at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom last June where a girl’s feet were severed.

Lawmakers also included as part of their state spending plan, $500,000 to hire additional ride inspectors.

Senate Bill 203 also lets the Agriculture Department establish a set of administrative violations and procedures for revoking licenses or other certificates issued by the department to ride operators.

The bill also requires that all operators of amusement rides be at least 18, and that theme parks get the ride manufacturer's approval before installing replacement parts.

Kentucky Kingdom officials have said they strongly oppose the age requirement, arguing that the ability to operate a ride lies in training, not age.

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