AB827: Bill Text

LRB-4348/1

ARG:eev:jf

2013 - 2014 LEGISLATURE

2013 Assembly BILL 827

February 27, 2014 - Introduced by Representative Ripp, cosponsored by Senator Petrowski. Referred to Committee on Transportation.

AB827,1,3 An Act to repeal 346.503 (4); and to amend 346.503 (3) and 346.56 (1) (a) of the statutes; relating to: signs reserving parking spaces for persons with physical disabilities.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk may apply for and obtain from the Department of Transportation (DOT) special motor vehicle registration plates (disabled plates) or a special identification card (disabled parking card) that affords certain parking privileges, including parking in spaces reserved for use by persons with physical disabilities (disabled parking spaces). It is a violation for a person to park a motor vehicle that does not display disabled plates or a disabled parking card in a disabled parking space.

Current law also requires the owner or lessee of a public building or place of employment, and the owner or lessee of a parking facility that offers parking to the public, to reserve a minimum number of disabled parking spaces if the parking area has at least 26 spaces. If the parking area is not open to the public or has fewer than 26 spaces, the owner or lessee may voluntarily reserve disabled parking spaces. For all reserved disabled parking spaces, the owner or lessee must post official traffic signs (disabled parking signs). Each sign must include the "international symbol for barrier-free environments" (wheelchair symbol) and a statement to inform the public that the parking space is reserved for vehicles used by persons with physical disabilities. DOT must promulgate rules governing the design, size, and installation of the disabled parking signs required for these reserved parking spaces.

This bill eliminates DOT's authority to promulgate rules, or otherwise impose requirements that are additional to those specified by statute, relating to the design, size, and installation of disabled parking signs for these reserved parking spaces. Instead, the bill requires that these signs be at least 25 square inches in area, include the wheelchair symbol, and, if the sign is posted for a van-accessible disabled parking space, include an additional sign mounted below the wheelchair symbol that displays the words "van accessible." The bill eliminates the requirement that these signs include a statement to inform the public that the parking space is reserved for vehicles used by persons with physical disabilities. The bill does not apply to disabled parking signs posted by DOT or local authorities on highways or other parking facilities.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB827,1 Section 1. 346.503 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB827,2,11 346.503 (3) The official traffic sign shall Official traffic signs required under sub. (2) or (2m) shall be at least 25 square inches in area, include the international symbol for barrier-free environments and a statement to inform the public that the parking space is reserved for vehicles designated under sub. (1m) or (2m), and, if the sign is posted for a reserved parking space that is van accessible, include an additional sign mounted below this symbol that displays the words "van accessible." The department may not impose additional requirements for the design, size, or installation of these signs by rule or by its adoption of the manual of uniform traffic control devices under s. 84.02 (4) (e). This subsection does not apply to official traffic signs posted by the department or local authorities under s. 349.13 (1m).

AB827,2 Section 2. 346.503 (4) of the statutes is repealed.

AB827,3 Section 3. 346.56 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB827,3,3 346.56 (1) (a) Except as provided in sub. (1g), any person violating s. 346.503 (1m) to (3) or a rule of the department under s. 346.503 (4) may be required to forfeit not less than $50 nor more than $200.

AB827,3,4 (End)