HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 1612

BYHouse Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Todd, Sayan, Belcher, Valle, Crane, Winsley, Lux, B. Williams, Walk, Barnes, Leonard, Gallagher, Lewis and Ferguson)

Prescribing penalties for failure to post disabled parking signs.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (25)

      Signed by Representatives Walk, Chair; Baugher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Cantwell, Cooper, Day, Doty, Fisher, Fox, Gallagher, Hankins, Haugen, Heavey, Jacobsen, Jones, Kremen, Meyers, Patrick, Prince, D. Sommers, Sutherland, Todd, Vekich, K. Wilson and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Mary McLaughlin (786-7309)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 16, 1988

BACKGROUND:

In 1976 the Washington State Building Code Council adopted minimum standards to accommodate disabled persons in new or substantially remodeled public and private facilities.  Current state law does not conform to these standards.

These minimum standards include the number handicapped parking spaces that must be installed at a new or substantially remodeled facility, and the size, design and placement of the handicapped parking signs.

According to the 1987 edition of the Barrier-Free Code, the signs must (1) be three to five feet off the ground, (2) display the international symbol of access, (3) be white on a blue background, and (4) contain the words "State disabled parking permit required".  The Code also uses the term "disabled" person rather than "physically disabled" person.

SUMMARY:

State law is updated to conform with the State Building Code Council's disabled parking sign specifications.  The maximum height of the sign is raised from five to seven feet to provide enhanced visibility.

Failure to post a sign is a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of $25, plus assessments ($47 total) for each required parking space.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):  The fine for failing to post a required disabled parking sign is changed from a traffic infraction to a class four civil infraction.  Last year the Legislature created four separate classes of civil infractions which become effective January 1, 1989.  The purpose is to decriminalize numerous minor crimes that are declared to be misdemeanors in the statutes.  A class four civil infraction carries the same fine as the proposed traffic infraction ($25 monetary penalty, plus assessments, for a total of $47).

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Nancy Wuerth, Governor's Committee on Disability Issues and Employment; Glenn Galbreath, Northwest Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    By placing the sign specification requirements into law, the confusion over what is required is eliminated.  A person who fails to erect a required sign should be subject to a fine.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 96; Nays 1; Excused 1

Voting Nay: Representative Sanders

Excused:    Representative Smith C