SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 2842

BYRepresentatives Hine, G. Fisher, Brooks, Sprenkle, Zellinsky, Prentice, R. Fisher, Sayan, Ballard, Moyer, Todd, Anderson, Winsley, Heavey, Ferguson, Rasmussen and Wineberry

Permitting more discretion in granting disabled parking permits.

House Committe on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 22, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; Benitz, Conner, DeJarnatt, Hansen, McMullen, Madsen, Murray, Patrick, Sellar.

Senate Staff:Cathy Mayo (786-7304)

                  February 23, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, FEBRUARY 22, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Persons with special parking privileges are entitled to park, for unlimited periods of time and free of charge, in spaces reserved for the disabled, public zones and metered parking areas. The original intent of the law was to aid persons for whom travel was impossible or impractical.  The law is viewed not as a privilege, but as an essential accommodation for movement.  The program is administered by the Department of Licensing.

Special parking privileges are extended to individuals with specific disabilities that impair mobility (loss of limbs, lung and heart disease, use of a wheelchair or crutches).  There are no provisions for other disabling medical conditions that may limit an individual's mobility.

A disabled person is entitled to either:  (1) disabled license plates or decal if the individual is the registered vehicle owner, or (2) a special card that may be moved from vehicle to vehicle.

SUMMARY:

The disabled parking privilege is extended to a person who suffers from an acute sensitivity to automobile emissions that impairs the ability to walk.  The patient's physician must document that the disability is comparable in severity to current qualifying disabilities.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Representative Hine, prime sponsor; Toby Olson, Governor's Commission on Disability Issues and Employment; Kathleen George, citizen