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BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

H.B. 3163

By: Springer

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

A recent report on laws, standards, and policies regarding parking for persons with disabilities noted, among other things, a need for more accessible parking spaces, concerns with placard abuse, and the need for accessible parking education. H.B. 3163 seeks to implement some of the study's recommendations by establishing requirements relating to parking for persons with disabilities.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

 

ANALYSIS

 

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 elimination 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.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2019.