NC Minnesota News

A Minnesota senator recently began an advocacy campaign to protect the interests of minors in the state. 

According to MN Senate Republicans, Sen. Carrie Ruud presented a bill to the Jobs and Economic Development committee March 2. SF 3358 was presented with testimony from the owners of Paul Bunyan Land — a local theme park — Alan Rademacher and Lois Moon.

The bill is aimed at setting a new minimum age for minors to operate amusement park rides, like those found at Paul Bunyan Land. 

Rademacher’s and Moon’s statement touched on the opinion that 16 and 17-year-olds are more than competent when it comes to the skills required to fulfill the responsibilities of theme park ride operators.

“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 said. “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.”

Ruud said that Paul Bunyan Land’s operations may be threatened by the decision of the Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry to allow individuals aged 16 and 17 to work in a part-time, seasonal capacity.

“The park is struggling as they try to find seasonal, part-time workers to fill essential positions,” Ruud said. “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.”

Paul Bunyan Land has historically ensured safety for guests by requiring adult supervision of the work being done by 16 and 17-year-old employees.

“We will pass this bill to ensure Paul Bunyan Land will continue to be a treasured Minnesota tradition for years to come,” Ruud said.