HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 ESB 5873

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                        Law & Justice

Title:  An act relating to raising the fine for parking in places reserved for physically disabled persons.

Brief Description:  Raising the fine for parking in places reserved for physically handicapped persons.

Sponsors:  Senators Fairley, Owen, Fraser, Smith, Prentice, Kohl and Oke.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Law & Justice:  3/21/95 [DPA].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 16 members:  Representatives Padden, Chairman; Hickel, Vice Chairman; Appelwick, Ranking Minority Member; Costa, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Carrell; Chappell; Cody; Lambert; McMahan; Morris; Robertson; Sheahan; Smith; Thibaudeau and Veloria.

Staff:  Edie Adams (786-7180).

Background:  The director of the Department of Licensing must grant special parking privileges to any person who has a disability that limits or impairs the person's ability to walk.  A person who qualifies for special parking privileges is entitled to receive a removable windshield placard and a special license plate.

Parking in a disabled space without a special placard or special license plate is a traffic infraction subject to a monetary penalty of $50.  In addition, a disabled parking violation may be subject to two additional penalties:  (1) a public safety and education assessment (PSEA) equal to 60 percent of the $50 fine ($30); and (2) an additional PSEA equal to 50 percent of the original PSEA in (1) above ($15).

Summary of Amended Bill:  The penalty for parking a vehicle in a space reserved for physically disabled persons without a special license plate or placard is increased from $50 to $250.  Disabled parking violations occurring on the state capitol grounds are also subject to a $250 penalty.

Illegally parking a vehicle in a parking space reserved for physically disabled persons is designated a parking infraction.  References to statutory provisions which require the splitting of fines with the state treasurer are deleted.

Amended Bill Compared to Engrossed Substitute Bill:  The amended bill designates the offense of illegally parking in a disabled parking space a parking infraction and deletes references to code provisions relating to splitting of fines with the state treasurer.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Persons who illegally park in a space reserved for disabled persons seriously hamper and limit a disabled person's access to services.  Raising the fine for illegally parking in a disabled parking space is needed to discourage people from parking in these spaces and sends a message that this violation is serious.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Fairley, prime sponsor (pro); and Chris Carnell, Governor's Committee on Disability Issues (pro).