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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndiana's building safety commission would set standards for inspecting large, temporary outdoor stages under a proposal advancing in the state Legislature.
The House public safety committee on Tuesday approved sending the bill to the full House for consideration. The bill follows the deadly collapse of outdoor stage rigging during high winds at last summer's Indiana State Fair.
The proposal calls for the building safety commission to establish temporary inspection rules this spring, with the state adopting permanent rules after reviewing reports expected in April from two out-of-state companies hired to review the state fair collapse.
Sponsor Rep. Robert Cherry of Greenfield says inspection rules are needed to assure people that steps are being taken to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again.
The state Senate approved the measure last month.
Some lawmakers say they were surprised to learn that no inspections were required for the large stage that collapsed Aug. 13 at the state-owned fairgrounds.
Bill sponsor Sen. Tim Lanane of Anderson says lawmakers are working to ensure that statewide standards don't interfere with inspection regulations that exist in some cities, including Indianapolis.
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