Senate BillIntroduced
S 8480: Requires amusement device operators to be at least 16 years old, trained in the use and function of all normal and emergency operating controls, and the proper use of the amusement device; requires the operator to be in the immediate vicinity of the main control panel during operation of the amusement device; prohibits operators from operating more than one device at a time.
What S 8480 does, verified January 8, 2026
The proposed law aims to control the operation of amusement devices in New York. A trained operator at least 16 years old can operate an amusement device, including temporary ones. The operator must be trained in the use of normal and emergency controls and be in the vicinity of the main control panel during operation. No other person can handle the controls during normal operation, and the operator cannot be responsible for more than one device at a time. This law supersedes conflicting laws and regulations, including existing rules for amusement devices. The law takes effect immediately.
Bill journey
1IntroducedCurrent
2In CommitteePending
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: REFERRED TO LABOR (2026-01-07)Alert me
Quick answers about S 8480
- What is the current status of S 8480?
- As of January 8, 2026, S 8480 is recorded as "Introduced": it has been introduced and is waiting for its first committee hearing or floor vote. The last recorded action, on January 7, 2026, was "REFERRED TO LABOR".
- Did S 8480 pass?
- Not yet. S 8480 has been introduced and has not passed either house.
- Who wrote S 8480, and where is it now?
- S 8480 was authored by Sen. Peter Harckham. Its committee of record is Senate Labor.
Author and sponsors
Full contact details, staff, and committees with Connect, $16/moUnlockRecent actions2 total · showing 2
| Jan. 07, 2026 | REFERRED TO LABOR |
| Aug. 15, 2025 | REFERRED TO RULES |
Latest bill textIntroduced version, August 15, 2025 · 285 words
STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 8480 2025-2026 Regular Sessions IN SENATE August 15, 2025 ___________ Introduced by Sen. HARCKHAM -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules AN ACT to amend the labor law, in relation to the operation of amusement devices The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. The labor law is amended by adding a new section 870-p to 2 read as follows: 3 § 870-p. Control of operation of amusement devices. Any amusement 4 device, including temporary devices, may be operated by a trained opera- 5 tor at least sixteen years of age. Every operator shall be trained in 6 the use and function of all normal and emergency operating controls and 7 in the proper use of the amusement device. A trained operator shall be 8 in the immediate vicinity of the main control panel during operation of 9 the amusement device and no other person shall be permitted to handle 10 such controls during normal operation. No operator shall be responsible 11 for the operation of more than one amusement device at a time. Provided, 12 however, that this section shall not apply to amusement devices designed 13 to be operated or controlled safely by a passenger. The provisions of 14 this section shall supersede any law, rule, or regulation in conflict 15 therewith, including, but not limited to, 12 NY CRR § 45-2.8. 16 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD11319-01-5
Text of S 8480 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions