By: Springer (Senate Sponsor - Menéndez) H.B. No. 3163
         (In the Senate - Received from the House May 6, 2019;
  May 10, 2019, read first time and referred to Committee on
  Transportation; May 17, 2019, reported favorably by the following
  vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 17, 2019, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to parking for persons with disabilities.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 469.052, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:
         (b-1)  Subject to Subsection (b), the standards and
  specifications adopted by the commission under this chapter must
  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 must be
  painted on the parking space; and
                     (B)  the words "NO PARKING" must 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 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.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter C, Chapter 504, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 504.205 to read as follows:
         Sec. 504.205.  INFORMATION PROVIDED WITH PLATES. The
  department shall include with each set of specialty license plates
  issued under this subchapter a document that provides:
               (1)  information on laws governing parking for persons
  with disabilities; and
               (2)  instructions for reporting alleged violations of
  Chapter 681.
         SECTION 3.  Section 681.004, Transportation Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
         (e)  The department shall include with each disabled parking
  placard a document that provides:
               (1)  information on laws governing parking for persons
  with disabilities; and
               (2)  instructions for reporting alleged violations of
  this chapter.
         SECTION 4.  Section 681.009(b), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  A political subdivision must designate a parking space
  or area by conforming to the standards and specifications adopted
  by the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation under Section
  469.052, Government Code [5(i), Article 9102, Revised Statutes],
  relating to the identification and dimensions of parking spaces for
  persons with disabilities. A person who owns or controls private
  property used for parking may designate a parking space or area
  without conforming to those standards and specifications, unless
  required to conform by law.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
 
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