SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5613

               As Passed Senate, March 12, 1997

Title:  An act relating to parking places for persons living on or near an institution of higher education.

Brief Description:  Authorizing reserved parking for homeowners near colleges.

Sponsors:  Senators Winsley, Rasmussen, Haugen, Prince, Wood, Schow, Jacobsen, Heavey, Goings, Patterson and Finkbeiner.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/28/97, 3/4/97 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/12/97, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Hale, Vice Chair; Anderson, Haugen, Horn, Patterson and Swanson.

Staff:  Kathleen Healy (786-7403)

Background:  Vehicles may not be parked or stopped in certain areas, such as on a sidewalk or street planting strip, within an intersection or on a crosswalk.  Time limits may be imposed on parking in some areas. No one can reserve parking spaces on a portion of a highway.

Summary of Bill:  An exception is made to the prohibition against reserving parking spaces for those persons living on or near college or university property.  The municipality in which the college or university is located establishes the boundaries within which a homeowner may be granted exempt status.  The municipality also establishes procedures necessary to ensure the availability of a parking space.  The parking space must be located directly adjacent to the residence for the legal homeowner's exclusive use.  Appropriate signage and enforcement measures are provided by the municipality.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Parking around college areas has been a problem for years.  The present law is very specific that parking may not be reserved.  It is just human nature at work when students park in the most convenient place.  Cumbersome and ineffective zone parking does not work.  California law allows for this, and it works well.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Margaret Hurley (former State Senator) (pro).