SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5244

               As Passed Senate, March 12, 1997

Title:  An act relating to disabled persons' parking permits.

Brief Description:  Allowing trained volunteers to enforce the disabled persons' parking permit law.

Sponsors:  Senators Oke, Fairley, Winsley, Deccio, Prince, Horn, Benton, Swecker, Finkbeiner, Sellar, McDonald and McAuliffe.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Law & Justice:  2/20/97, 3/3/97 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/12/97, 46-1.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Johnson, Vice Chair; Fairley, Goings, Hargrove, Haugen, Kline, Long and McCaslin.

Staff:  Mal Murphy (786-7412)

Background:  It is a parking infraction, with a penalty of $175, for anyone to park in a place reserved for the physically disabled, without a special license plate or placard authorizing them to do so.  Citations may be issued only by authorized law enforcement officers.

Summary of Bill:  Law enforcement agencies authorized to enforce parking laws may appoint volunteers to issue citations for illegally parking in a place reserved for the physically disabled.  Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age, and must be provided training by the appointing law enforcement agency.  A citation issued by a volunteer so appointed has the same force and effect as one issued by an officer.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Oregon has a similar program and the number of violations has been reduced.  Raising the fine to $175 has not solved the problem.  Disabled can help out on this.  The bill offers some existing potential for volunteerism and community policing.  Several states have bills pending.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Senator Oke, prime sponsor; Bob Socles, Washington State Legislative Coalition and The Chosen Few; Mel Baker, Capital Area Stroke Club; Bo Bergeron, Director, Department of Veterans Affairs; Michael Kaiser, Disabled American Veterans; Glen Galbraith, Coalition of Americans with Disabilities.