SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 2283
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Transportation, February 20, 2012
Title: An act relating to special parking privileges for persons with disabilities.
Brief Description: Modifying the display requirement for certain parking placards.
Sponsors: Representatives Hunt and Reykdal.
Brief History: Passed House: 1/30/12, 95-1.
Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/16/12, 2/20/12 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators King, Ranking Minority Member; Fain, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Delvin, Ericksen, Frockt, Hill, Hobbs, Litzow, Prentice, Rolfes, Shin and Swecker.
Staff: Kim Johnson (786-7472)
Background: The Department of Licensing (Department) must grant special parking privileges to a person with a disability who meets at least one of the following criteria, as determined by a licensed physician, advanced nurse practitioner, or physician assistant:
cannot walk further than 200 feet without stopping to rest;
is severely limited in the ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition;
is so severely disabled that the person cannot walk without an assistive device;
uses portable oxygen;
is restricted by lung disease to a particular extent;
is impaired by cardiovascular disease or cardiac condition to a particular extent;
has a disability resulting from acute sensitivity to automobile emissions that impairs the ability to walk;
is legally blind and has limited mobility; or
has a form of porphyria to the extent that the applicant would significantly benefit from a decrease in exposure to light.
If a person is granted a special parking privilege, the Department must provide the person with either special license plates or parking placards containing the international symbol of access. Parking placards must be hung on a rearview mirror or displayed on a dashboard.
Summary of Bill: A parking placard issued to a person with a disability must be displayed in a manner that allows the entire placard to be viewed through the vehicle windshield.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: In our experience, 27 percent of the citations issued for illegally parking in a space reserved for disabled persons without a valid placard, are actually issued to people who have a valid placard, they just didn't display it in their widow where we could see it clearly. This is a huge waste of time for both the department and the person who is erroneously issued the citation to have to deal with, to cancel the citations for those who do have a valid placard. We see this as a simple fix.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Hunt, prime sponsor; Michael Hill, Lacey Police Department.