Panel approves technical update to ski-lift terminology in staff briefing

Senate Bill 6,013 would update statutory language about ski areas and winter-sports equipment so terminology matches current American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards and explicitly names devices such as aerial tramways, tows and conveyors.

Jacob Ewing gave the staff briefing and Brian Considine of State Parks said staff worked with the industry to ensure the statutory list aligns with ANSI standards. Considine said State Parks inspects roughly 120 lifts across 12 ski areas at least once per season and that the bill is expected to be a terminology update rather than a substantive change to inspection authority.

Committee members asked about a requirement cited in the statute that operators maintain liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence; Considine said he would follow up on enforcement and whether that part of the statute is already in effect. Sponsor Senator Torres characterized the bill as short and technical.

The transcript shows no opposition and no committee vote recorded.