A person cannot operate an amusement ride unless it has been inspected, the required certificate and insurance are in place, and the required filings are made.
Sec. 2151.101. REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATION. (a) A person may not operate an amusement ride unless the person: (1) has had the amusement ride inspected at least once a year by an insurer or a person with whom the insurer has contracted; (2) obtains a written certificate from the insurer or person with whom the insurer has contracted stating that the amusement ride: (A) has been inspected; (B) meets the standards for insurance coverage; and (C) is covered by the insurance required by Subdivision (3); (3) except as provided by Sections 2151.1011 and 2151.1012, has a combined single limit or split limit insurance policy currently in effect written by an insurance company authorized to do business in this state or by a surplus lines insurer, as defined by Chapter 981, Insurance Code, or has an independently procured policy subject to Chapter 101, Insurance Code, insuring the owner or operator against liability for injury to persons arising out of the use of the amusement ride in an amount of not less than: (A) for Class A amusement rides: (i) $100,000 bodily injury and $50,000 property damage per occurrence with a $300,000 annual aggregate; or (ii) a $150,000 per occurrence combined single limit with a $300,000 annual aggregate; and (B) for Class B amusement rides: (i) $1,000,000 bodily injury and $500,000 property damage per occurrence; or (ii) $1,500,000 per occurrence combined single limit; (4) files with the commissioner, as required by this chapter, the inspection certificate and the insurance policy or a photocopy of the certificate or policy authorized by the commissioner; and (5) files with each sponsor, lessor, landowner, or other person responsible for the amusement ride being offered for use by the public a photocopy of the inspection certificate and the insurance policy required by this subsection. (b) The inspection certificate and the insurance policy must be filed with the department before July 1 of each year, except that if an amusement ride is inspected more than once a year, the inspection certificate must be filed not later than the 15th day after the date of each inspection. (c) A local government may satisfy the insurance requirement prescribed by Subsection (a) by obtaining liability coverage through an interlocal agreement. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 14.703(a), eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 10A.548, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 363 (S.B. 1282), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005. Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1146 (H.B. 2879), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2005. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 655 (H.B. 1070), Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 580 (H.B. 3570), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.