After rounds through the Capitol, Senate passes carnival safety bill

After a whirlwind through the Georgia Legislature, a bill that would require carnival owners to submit engineering evaluations with permit applications passed the state Senate on Thursday.

State Sen. Bruce Thompson, R-White, introduced Senate Bill 141 after a carnival ride collapsed while in operation in Bartow County.

Under the legislation, a licensed engineer would evaluate the performance of safety mechanisms and the condition of “critical components of the carnival ride.” House members amended the bill to only require a review the first time a carnival owner applies for a permit.

The bill, which passed 50-0, now goes to the governor’s desk.