BILL ANALYSIS
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AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Interested parties contend that while van-accessible disabled parking spaces include an extra space that typically allows a ramp or lift affixed to a van to lower and allow a person in a wheelchair to exit the ramp or lift and turn, this exit process is not possible in the non-vanaccessible spaces. Unfortunately, many individuals who are not in wheelchairs and do not require the extra space to unload choose to park in the van-accessible space, thereby limiting access to those few available spaces for individuals who require the additional space to exit and enter a specially equipped vehicle. The parties believe this issue to be only one of many facing disabled individuals when attempting to use disabled parking spaces in Texas. H.B. 1317 seeks to provide a review of laws, standards, and policies applicable to those individuals.
H.B. 1317 amends current law relating to a report on laws, standards, and policies regarding parking for persons with disabilities to be prepared by the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities.
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 Chapter 115, Human Resources Code, by adding Section 115.012, as follows:
Sec. 115.012. REPORT ON HANDICAPPED PARKING LAWS, STANDARDS, AND POLICIES. (a) Requires the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities (committee), in coordination with disability advocacy groups and disability-related organizations located in both rural and urban areas of this state, to review:
(1) laws of this state that apply to parking for persons with disabilities;
(2) laws of other states that apply to parking for persons with disabilities;
(3) requirements for parking for persons with disabilities in:
(A) the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) and related federal regulations;
(B) the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design; and
(C) the 2012 Texas Accessibility Standards; and
(4) policies on parking for persons with disabilities in state-owned parking lots, including on the grounds of the State Capitol.
(b) Requires the committee to create a report on the information described by Subsection (a). Requires the committee, not later than November 1, 2016, to submit the report to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and standing committees of the senate and house of representatives that have jurisdiction over issues related to transportation.
(c) Provides that this section expires January 1, 2017.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2015.