BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3163
86R13223 BEE-D	By: Springer (Men�ndez)
	Transportation
	5/15/2019
	Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

H.B. 3163 amends the Government Code to require the standards and specifications adopted by the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation relating to the limitation of architectural barriers to provide that:

 

�         If an accessible parking space provided in accordance with a requirement of the standards and specifications is paved, the international symbol of access must be painted on the parking space and the words "NO PARKING" must be painted on any access aisle adjacent to the parking space; and

 

�         A sign identifying an accessible parking space provided in accordance with a requirement of the standards and specifications must include a statement regarding the potential consequences of illegally parking a vehicle in the space, including the towing of the vehicle or the assessment of a fine or other penalty against the vehicle owner or operator.

 

H.B. 3163 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to include with each set of license plates issued for a vehicle used by a person with a disability and each disabled parking placard a document that provides information on laws governing parking for persons with disabilities and instructions for reporting alleged privileged parking violations.

 

H.B. 3163 amends current law relating to parking for persons 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 Section 469.052, Government Code, by adding Subsection (b-1), as follows:

 

(b-1) Requires the standards and specifications adopted by the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (TCLR) under this chapter (Elimination of Architectural Barriers), subject to Subsection (b), to provide that:

 

(1) if an accessible parking space provided in accordance with a requirement of the standards and specifications is paved:

 

(A) the international symbol of access is required to be painted on the parking space; and

 

(B) the words "NO PARKING" are required to be painted on any access aisle adjacent to the parking space; and

 

(2) a sign identifying an accessible parking space provided in accordance with a requirement of the standards and specifications is required to include a statement regarding the potential consequences of illegally parking a vehicle in the space, including the towing of the vehicle or the assessment of a fine or other penalty against the vehicle owner or operator.

 

SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 504, Transportation Code, by adding Section 504.205, as follows:

 

Sec. 504.205. INFORMATION PROVIDED WITH PLATES. Requires the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to include with each set of specialty license plates issued under this subchapter (License Plates For Vehicles Used by Persons With Disabilities) a document that provides information on laws governing parking for persons with disabilities and instructions for reporting alleged violations of Chapter 681 (Privileged Parking).

 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 681.004, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (e) to require TxDMV to include with each disabled parking placard a document that provides information on laws governing parking for persons with disabilities and instructions for reporting alleged violations of this chapter.

 

SECTION 4. Amends Section 681.009(b), Transportation Code, to require a political subdivision to designate a parking space or area by conforming to the standards and specifications adopted by TCLR under Section 469.052, Government Code, rather than under Section 5(i), Article 9102, Revised Statutes, relating to the identification and dimensions of parking spaces for persons with disabilities.

 

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2019.