HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2283
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Transportation
Title: An act relating to special parking privileges for persons with disabilities.
Brief Description: Modifying the display requirement for certain parking placards.
Sponsors: Representatives Hunt and Reykdal.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Transportation: 1/16/12, 1/18/12 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 21 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Billig, Vice Chair; Liias, Vice Chair; Armstrong, Ranking Minority Member; Eddy, Fitzgibbon, Hansen, Jinkins, Johnson, Klippert, Kristiansen, McCune, Moeller, Moscoso, Overstreet, Reykdal, Rivers, Shea, Takko, Upthegrove and Zeiger.
Staff: Alison Hellberg (786-7152).
Background:
The Department of Licensing (Department) must grant special parking privileges to a person with a disability who meets at least one of the following criteria, as determined by a licensed physician, advanced nurse practitioner, or physician assistant:
cannot walk further than 200 feet without stopping to rest;
is severely limited in the ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition;
is so severely disabled that the person cannot walk without an assistive device;
uses portable oxygen;
is restricted by lung disease to a particular extent;
is impaired by cardiovascular disease or cardiac condition to a particular extent;
has a disability resulting from acute sensitivity to automobile emissions that impairs the ability to walk;
is legally blind and has limited mobility; or
has a form of porphyria to the extent that the applicant would significantly benefit from a decrease in exposure to light.
If a person is granted a special parking privilege, the Department must provide the person with either special license plates or parking placards containing the international symbol of access. Parking placards must be hung on a rearview mirror or displayed on a dashboard.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Summary of Bill:
A parking placard issued to a person with a disability must be displayed in a manner that allows the entire placard to be viewed through the vehicle windshield.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill was suggested by a volunteer for the Lacey Police Department who does a lot of disabled parking enforcement. In many cases, the expiration date is not visible and a ticket must be issued. The citation is removed later if the placard has not expired. This is time-consuming and inefficient. Having the full placard visible would make it so the citations do not have to be issued, saving time and making the process more efficient.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Hunt, prime sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.