DISABLED PARKING FINE INCREASE                                                                S.B. 868:

                                                                                  SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL

                                                                                                         IN COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 868 (as introduced 3-12-14)

Sponsor:  Senator Jim Ananich

Committee:  Transportation

Date Completed:  5-19-14

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to do the following:

-- Increase the fine for parking in a space reserved for a disabled person.

-- Allow a parking space reserved for a disabled person to be posted with a sign indicating the amount of the fine for illegally parking in a space reserved for a disabled person.

The Code provides that a vehicle must not be parked in certain areas, unless it is necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with the law or the direction of a police officer or traffic control device. These areas include a parking space clearly identified by an official sign as being reserved for use by a disabled person that is on public property or private property available for public use, unless the individual is a disabled person's parking the vehicle for the benefit of a disabled person. The bill specifies that if a parking space were identified by an official sign as being reserved for use by a disabled person, the parking space also could be posted with a sign that indicated the amount of the fine authorized for violating this prohibition.

The Code requires a judge or district court magistrate to order a person to pay a civil fine of not less than $100 or not more than $250 for a violation of the disabled parking restriction. The bill would increase the fine to an amount not less than $200 or not more than $500.

MCL 257.674                                                                   Legislative Analyst:  Jeff Mann

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would result in a fiscal cost to State and local government if any signage is added to State or locally owned spaces to display the penalty amount for violation involving parking in a space reserved for a disabled person. Additionally, with an increase in the fine schedule for unauthorized disabled space parking, additional fine revenue could be collected, which would benefit public libraries.

                                                                                      Fiscal Analyst:  John Maxwell

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.