STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2978

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3135

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 3135, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PARKING FOR DISABLED PERSONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize the Examiner of Drivers to suspend the driver's license of a person using a parking permit issued to a deceased person who was deceased when the permit was issued to obtain parking privileges;

(2) Provide that fifty percent of any fine imposed for violating the law relating to parking for disabled persons is remitted to the law enforcement agency that issued the citation;

(3) Authorize each county to enact ordinances to enforce the design and construction requirements for the provision of accessible parking spaces, including the establishment of penalties for failure to comply with the ordinances; and

(4) Authorize officials appointed by a county to enter the property of places of public accommodation to enforce violations of the county ordinances.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Disability and Communication Access Board, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, one member of the Kauaʻi County Council, and four individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that a statewide parking program for persons with disabilities provides individuals with the ability to park in accessible parking spaces via the use of parking placards. However, there are instances of abuse in the use of these placards exacerbating the challenge for participants who genuinely need access to these parking spaces. This measure addresses the abuse of accessible parking, ensuring that these spaces remain available for those who truly need them.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3135, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair