General Assembly takes up trampoline safety bill, again

State Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston, is sponsoring a trampoline court regulation bill that is identical to the one she sponsored in 2017.

A bill to regulate Illinois trampoline courts is under consideration in the Illinois General Assembly, and is identical to a measure that was vetoed by Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2017.

House Bill 4222 was filed by state Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston, on Jan. 8, 2018. The bill would amend the Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Act and seeks to regulate trampoline courts as amusement rides, such as roller coasters.

The bill defines a trampoline court as “a commercial facility with a defined area composed of one or more trampolines, a series of trampolines, a trampoline court foam pit, or a series of trampoline court foam pits.”

The bill specifically exempts gymnastic training facilities that make most of their money from teaching and instructing gymnastics. HB 4222 was assigned to the House Business and Occupational Licenses Committee and currently awaits further action.

If enacted, the bill would take effect Jan. 1, 2019.

Gabel’s current proposal is identical to another trampoline regulation bill she sponsored in February 2017.

The identical bill from last year, House Bill 3897, passed out of both chambers but was ultimately vetoed by Rauner in August 2017, with lawmakers ultimately failing to take action to override.

Considering Illinois’ litany of fiscal and economic problems, the outsized attention and precious time devoted to this pet issue is concerning. It’s little wonder Illinois hasn’t had a real balanced budget since 2001.