Title: An act relating to adding porphyria to the list of disabilities for special parking privileges.

Brief Description: Adding porphyria to the list of disabilities for special parking privileges.

Sponsors: Representatives Kessler, Kagi, Wallace, Moeller, B. Sullivan, Wood, Warnick and Ormsby.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/28/07, 97-0.

Committee Activity: Transportation: 3/19/07, 3/20/07 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Marr, Vice Chair; Murray, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Berkey, Clements, Delvin, Eide, Holmquist, Kastama, Kauffman, Kilmer and Spanel.

Staff: Janice Baumgardt (786-7319)

Background: The Department of Licensing (DOL) is required to grant special parking privileges to any person that has a disability that limits the ability to walk and meets one of certain criteria. A licensed physician or an advanced nurse practitioner determines whether the applicant meets the criteria.

Summary of Bill: The description of individuals to whom DOL is required to grant special parking privileges is expanded to include any person who has a disability that involves acute sensitivity to light, and meets one of the additional criteria. The list of additional criteria is expanded to include an individual who is restricted by a form of porphyria to the extent that the applicant would significantly benefit from a decrease in exposure to light.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 2007.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This will help to make life a little easier for those who suffer from porphyria.

Persons Testifying: PRO: David McRae, American Porphyria Foundation.