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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House voted 54-19 Tuesday to add standards for trampoline parks across the state.
HB150 would require the parks to follow safety standards, get an inspection before acquiring a business license and have liability insurance.
"The standard that is incorporated here is what I think is the least intrusive possible, it’s simply that if you’re going to operate a trampoline park you ought to follow industry standards," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Norm Thurston, R-Provo.
But Rep. Elizabeth Weight, D-West Valley City, introduced an amendment that would eliminate the requirement for liability insurance.
"The issue is not whether or not they would get liability insurance, because all risk sports like this have them. It’s the issue of mandating it in state law," Weight said.
Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield, said he has been waiting 17 years for his background in the circus to contribute to a debate on Capitol Hill. He noted that the trampoline was the most dangerous apparatus used in the circus.
"If we’re going to mandate insurance on anything, we should mandate them on trampolines," Ray said.
The motion to amend the bill and cut the requirement for insurance failed. The bill will now go to the Senate.
