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House Bill 3095 |
House Author: Harless |
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Effective: 9-1-09 |
Senate Sponsor: Watson |
House Bill 3095 amends the Transportation Code to establish that a white-on-blue-shield disabled parking placard is issued to a person with a permanent disability, rather than a mobility disability described by law, and a white-on-red-shield disabled parking placard is issued to a person with a temporary disability, rather than any other permanent or temporary disability. The bill specifies that the law requiring an application for a disabled parking placard to be accompanied by a fee of $5 applies if the application is for a temporary placard. The bill establishes that parking spaces or areas designated for the exclusive use of vehicles transporting persons with disabilities may be used by vehicles displaying a white-on-blue-shield disabled parking placard, license plates issued to persons with disabilities, or a white-on-red-shield disabled parking placard and removes requirements for assigning designated parking for the exclusive use of vehicles displaying those placards or license plates on certain property. The bill removes the offense of standing a vehicle displaying a white-on-red-shield disabled parking placard in a space designated for the exclusive use of vehicles displaying a white-on-blue-shield placard.
House Bill 3095 enhances the penalty for an offense relating to misuse of parking spaces or placards for persons with disabilities as follows:
· first offense -- a fine of not less than $500 or more than $750
· second offense -- a fine of not less than $550 or more than $800 and 10 hours of community service
· third offense -- a fine of not less than $550 or more than $800 and not less than 20 or more than 30 hours of community service
· fourth offense -- a fine of not less than $800 or more than $1,100 and 50 hours of community service
· fifth offense -- a fine of $1,250 and 50 hours of community service