Sen. Carrie Ruud, R-Breezy Point, presented Senate File 3358 in the Jobs and Economic Development committee Monday to establish a new minimum age for the operation of amusement park rides
Ruud’s bill presentation included testimony from Alan Rademacher and Lois Moon, owners of Paul Bunyan Land.
“Paul Bunyan Land is advocating to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to operate amusement park rides without the exemption permit now required by the Department of Labor and Industry," Rademacher and Moon issued a statement said in a statement to the committee. "Paul Bunyan Land has operated for 15 years with the completion of this permit and 16- and 17-year-olds have proven to be competent employees for the job with proper training.”
“Despite operations running smoothly for years, the Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry is denying an exemption to Paul Bunyan Land and eliminating their primary workforce which is made up of 16 and 17-year-olds,” Ruud said in a news release. “The park is struggling as they try to find seasonal, part-time workers to fill essential positions. We will not lose the magic Paul Bunyan Land has brought our state for more than 70 years because of pointless bureaucratic oversight. My bill will allow them to keep the park going by hiring responsible and capable young adults.”
“As in the past, all rides would meet or exceed safety standards and adult supervision is present,” Rademacher and Moon added. “The 16 and 17-year-olds are the upcoming work force and Paul Bunyan offers the perfect summer job to achieve workplace success.”
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Ruud concluded: “We will pass this bill to ensure Paul Bunyan Land will continue to be a treasured Minnesota tradition for years to come!”
