Plan to end free parking for disabled is shelved

OLYMPIA — Washington lawmakers are putting the brakes on a proposal to end unlimited free street parking for tens of thousands of drivers with disabilities.

Members of the House Transportation Committee stripped the controversial idea from a bill targeting fraudulent use of placards in communities across the state.

Sponsors of House Bill 2463 wanted to create a two-tier system in which drivers whose disability doesn’t prevent them from feeding coins into a meter pay, and only those physically unable to access a machine be allowed to park for free.

They calculated the change might remove the incentive for able-bodied drivers to misuse a placard in order to enjoy the perk of not paying for prime parking spots.

Opponents told lawmakers in a recent hearing the result would punish those with disabilities who can reach a meter but have other mobility challenges preventing them from completing their task and returning in the allotted time.

“We do believe that fraudulent use of these placards is a serious problem in our state,” said Jim Freeburg, advocacy director for the Greater Northwest chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. “But we do not think tackling this problem should come at the expense of legitimate users.”

The panel axed the idea of a two-tier system last week then approved the bill which contains several other tweaks in state rules on how people obtain and display the placards.

Rep. Brady Walkinshaw, D-Seattle, suggested removing the objectionable component to keep the bill alive.

“I hope it can move forward,” he said Monday. “I think it still will curb (abuses) to some extent.”

Freeburg’s group supports the amended bill.

“It makes reasonable changes to help law enforcement better detect fraudulent use,” Freeburg said Monday. “We encourage local officials to focus on enforcement rather than taking away privileges from legitimate users.”

The Legislature has wrestled with the problem of placard misuse. Thousands are in circulation.

In mid-July, the Department of Licensing had 687,005 permanent placards and 47,596 license plates, both of which are renewable every five years. Another 26,100 temporary placards had been handed out; those are valid for no more than six months. At that time, Washington had roughly 5.3 million licensed drivers.

A work group, led by the Department of Licensing and with representatives of disabled drivers and the city of Seattle, spent last summer and fall considering if placards are too easy to obtain and if the practice of letting physicians sign off on applications is too loose and in need of revising.

In December, they delivered a report to lawmakers in which the most significant recommendation was requiring holders of the familiar blue placards to start paying for on-street parking unless they qualify for an exemption because of their physical limitations.

It had other suggestions, most of which are now written into the revised version of House Bill 2463.

One of those is a requirement that health care practitioners provide signed authorization for a patient to get special parking privileges on “tamper-resistant” prescription pad or office letterhead. Current law lets them sign a standard application form and lawmakers think the change will reduce the chance of people forging their doctor’s signature.

The bill also requires drivers to make sure the entire placard is displayed. It says the placard serial number and expiration date must be clearly visible from a distance of 10 feet. Failure to do so could lead to a ticket with a $450 fine.

Under the bill, if a person is found to have unlawfully obtained or transferred their placard, plate, tab, or card they could be forced by a court to give it up.

Rep. Sam Hunt, D-Olympia, who introduced the original bill, said he’s tried to find solutions to the problem for three years.

“We’re trying to do this responsibly,” he said, and without creating any “stiff barriers” to those who need them.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

The Washington State University Snohomish County Extension building at McCollum Park is located in an area Snohomish County is considering for the location of the Farm and Food Center on Thursday, March 28, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Year-round indoor farmers market inches closer to reality near Mill Creek

The Snohomish County Farm and Food Center received $5 million in federal funding. The county hopes to begin building in 2026.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.