BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 251

80R3407 ACP-D                                                                                                                By: Harris

Veteran Affairs & Military Installations

2/5/2007

As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, "Blue Placard Only" signs allow parking for those persons with a severe degree of ambulatory handicap who have a corresponding parking placard. Persons with a disabled veterans license plate are permitted to park in spaces designated by a white on blue placard. If an individual with a disabled veteran license plate wishes to park on a designate "Blue Placard Only" space, he or she must apply and pay for a blue placard.

As proposed, S.B. 251 allows for disabled veterans to park in any spot reserved for disabled persons if they have a state-issued disabled veteran license plate.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 681.009(e), Transportation Code, as follows:

(e) Adds license plates issued under Section 504.202 (Veterans With Disabilities) as a class for which certain uncovered parking spaces are to be reserved. Makes conforming changes.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 681.011(b), Transportation Code, as follows:

(b)(2) Provides that it is an offense for a person to stand a vehicle displaying a white on red shield disabled parking placard or license plates issued under Section 504.201 (Persons With Disabilities) in a space designated for the use of vehicles displaying a white on blue shield disabled parking placard or license plates issued under Section 504.202 (Veterans With Disabilities).

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2007.