NE2: Northeast Healthy Skin Act of 2012 [Signed]

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

Yes, a tax of $5.00 per 15 minutes would be acceptable.

It should probably read, though, a tax of $5.00 per 15 minutes, or part thereof, in order to avoid confusion.

I trust that Rep. Simfan will find this acceptable as well.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

Introducing a second revision of my amendment, which incorporates Rep. Winfield's suggestions:

1. Tanning beds are permitted only within licensed tanning salons.
2. Only individuals of at least age 18 are permitted in licensed tanning salons.
3. Tanning salons may only admit individuals who have signed a waiver indicating that they understand relevant health risks.
4. Tanning salons are responsible for enforcing Provisions 2 & 3 of this law. Tanning salons found to be in violation will be penalized $1000 for the first offense, $2500 for the second offense, and $5000 for the third offense. Any further violations will be met with the immediate revocation of the tanning salon's license.
5. Tanning salons will collect a a tax of $5.00 per 15 minutes, or part thereof.

Rep. Winfield, please indicate whether the amendment is friendly.

[Simfan34]

I would support this amendment.

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

The amendment is friendly.

[Rep Pyrofox]

It's possible that Rep. Pyrofox will support a higher tax, but my vote is contingent on the tax being no higher than about half of the cost of a typical session.

Ehh, I'm not entirely show how I feel about this one. Discouraging the activity through higher taxes may not be effective in itself, though having the revenue spent for cancer research is a magnificent idea. Also, I don't like the idea of forbidding those under 18 from entering the vicinity. I'd rather have the employer of the tanning salon restrict those under 16 from using the tanning beds. In addition to this, I'd increase the amount tanning salons would be penalized.

Overall, however, I like this proposal so far.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

I'm glad to hear that you're mostly on board so far. An amendment including the changes that you suggest would improve this legislation, and I encourage you to introduce one.

The only change you suggest that you'll probably need to give up on is lowering the age limit. I, too, would rather use 16 as the minimum age, but Rep. Winfield doesn't seem willing to budge on this particular section of the proposed law.

[Rep Pyrofox]

Ah, I see. That's unfortunate. Well here's the legislation's third revision..

1. Tanning beds are permitted only within licensed tanning salons.
2. Only individuals of at least age 18 are permitted to use tanning beds located inside licensed tanning salons.
3. Tanning salons may only allow individuals who have signed a waiver indicating that they understand relevant health risks to use tanning beds.
4. Tanning salons are responsible for enforcing Provisions 2 & 3 of this law. Tanning salons found to be in violation will be penalized $6000 for the first offense, $8000 for the second offense, and $10,000 for the third offense. Any further violations will be met with the immediate revocation of the tanning salon's license.
5. Tanning salons will collect a tax of $5.00 per 15 minutes, or part thereof.
6. All revenue collected from this measure shall only be spent on cancer research.

Hopefully this amendment is friendly and it will receive support from you all.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

Looks great, Pyro. Rep. Winfield, I hope that you can meet this amendment with approval.

[Senator Napoleon]

$6,000 first violation on small businesses? No. That is crippling. I believe there is such thing as an honest mistake.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

$6,000 first violation on small businesses? No. That is crippling. I believe there is such thing as an honest mistake.

What's the highest penalty that you'd support, Governor?

[Rep Pyrofox]

$6,000 first violation on small businesses? No. That is crippling. I believe there is such thing as an honest mistake.

I believe that would be the incentive for businesses to immediately begin taking this problem seriously. It's not like upholding the safety requirements in this law are difficult to accomplish. Plus, the money would go to cancer research. I fail to see the negative side here.

[Senator Napoleon]

$6,000 first violation on small businesses? No. That is crippling. I believe there is such thing as an honest mistake.

What's the highest penalty that you'd support, Governor?

Maybe we could "combine" the two proposals' tiers: $1000, $5000, then $10,000.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

That sounds better to me. I do agree that it's best to leave the penalty for the first offense fairly low. Pyro?

[Senator Napoleon]

$6,000 first violation on small businesses? No. That is crippling. I believe there is such thing as an honest mistake.

I believe that would be the incentive for businesses to immediately begin taking this problem seriously. It's not like upholding the safety requirements in this law are difficult to accomplish. Plus, the money would go to cancer research. I fail to see the negative side here.

Tanning salons are not typically large corporations. How much income do you think a tanning salon generates? We are already putting some tight regulations on them that are sure to make a dent in pocketbooks. I don't want to run businesses into the ground, these could be families that don't have much else. A first violation of $1,000 with stiffer future penalties would send a strong message.

[Rep Pyrofox]

That sounds better to me. I do agree that it's best to leave the penalty for the first offense fairly low. Pyro?

If those are the highest numbers the governor approves of, then yes. However, considering tanning salon businesses would hear about this relatively quickly, I just don't have any sympathy for them not following the law. These are places making money off possibly giving people cancer, after all. I just hope a $1000 penalty is enough to make these salons take this seriously.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

Tanning salons are also the kind of marginal business that often keep low-rent properties from becoming vacant. And vacant buildings, besides being eyesores, disrupt the urban fabric and serve as havens for criminal activity.

Preserving (and reviving) small-town Main Streets is one of my pet issues, and placing an undue burden on business like tanning salons, tattoo parlors, and second-hand shops will only create further strain.

[Senator Napoleon]

That sounds better to me. I do agree that it's best to leave the penalty for the first offense fairly low. Pyro?

If those are the highest numbers the governor approves of, then yes. However, considering tanning salon businesses would hear about this relatively quickly, I just don't have any sympathy for them not following the law. These are places making money off possibly giving people cancer, after all. I just hope a $1000 penalty is enough to make these salons take this seriously.

People using tanning salons will have acknowledged their risk of cancer upon signing the waiver. As I said, it could be a low income family run tanning salon. $6000 could mean a kid misses out on going to the college they want! I do believe in the honest mistake. Repeat offenders, those who flaunt their disregard for the law, will feel the repercussions.

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

As to fines, I agree with the Governor.

Since these businesses will remain operational, contrary to what I would like to have seen, they should be able to then operate as long as they operate within the confines set by legislation.

Therefore, I find it reasonable that an initial fine of $1,000 will act as a warning, a further violation with a fine $5,000 will make them take notice, and a further violation with a fine of $10,000 for the third offence, with a warning that any further violations will result in revocation of their license, should make most any business owner more apt to obey the law.   

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

Rep Winfield, just to clarify, this is how the legislation will read, assuming you accept Rep Pyrofox's other changes:

1. Tanning beds are permitted only within licensed tanning salons.
2. Only individuals of at least age 18 are permitted to use tanning beds located within licensed tanning salons.
3. Tanning salons may only admit individuals who have signed a waiver indicating that they understand the health risks involved in using a tanning bed.
4. Tanning salons are responsible for enforcing Provisions 2 & 3 of this law. Tanning salons found to be in violation of either provision will be penalized $1000 for the first offense, $5000 for the second offense, and $10,000 for the third offense. Any further violations will be met with the immediate revocation of the tanning salon's license.
5. Tanning salons will collect a a tax of $5.00 per 15 minutes, or part thereof. All revenue derived from this tax will be spent on cancer research.

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

Looks fine.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

Requesting and granting a 12 hour abbreviation of debate time.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

The Assembly will now vote on the final text of the legislation. Voting will last 24 hours.

Northeast Healthy Skin Act of 2012

1. Tanning beds are permitted only within licensed tanning salons.
2. Only individuals of at least age 18 are permitted to use tanning beds located within licensed tanning salons.
3. Tanning salons may only admit individuals who have signed a waiver indicating that they understand the health risks involved in using a tanning bed.
4. Tanning salons are responsible for enforcing Provisions 2 & 3 of this law. Tanning salons found to be in violation of either provision will be penalized $1000 for the first offense, $5000 for the second offense, and $10,000 for the third offense. Any further violations will be met with the immediate revocation of the tanning salon's license.
5. Tanning salons will collect a a tax of $5.00 per 15 minutes, or part thereof. All revenue derived from this tax will be spent on cancer research.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

Aye

[Rep Pyrofox]

Aye

[Simfan34]

Aye