A bill proposing changes to which people with disabilities can get a placard for accessible parking and the cost of those placards is on the agenda for the upcoming Council Committee meeting. Bill No. 2049, introduced to the Committee of
A bill proposing changes to which people with disabilities can get a placard for accessible parking and the cost of those placards is on the agenda for the upcoming Council Committee meeting.
Bill No. 2049, introduced to the Committee of the Whole by Council Chair Ron Kouchi on Aug. 22, would allow people with permanent disabilities to get a new or renewal removable windshield placard for free, reducing the cost from $10.
The bill also proposes to raise the cost for a new or renewal temporary placard from $5 to $10. The bill also proposes to raise the replacement cost for a lost, stolen or mutilated placard from $5 to $10, unless the applicant turns in the damaged one or files a police report.
State law’s definition of “disability” would be used to determine who would be eligible to receive a parking placard: Those who cannot walk two hundred feet without stopping to rest due to various medical conditions; cannot walk without an assistive device; is restricted by severe lung disease; uses portable oxygen; or has a severe cardiac condition (from Hawaii Revised Statutes 291-51).
Christina Pilkington, Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator, said she hoped the council would approve the measure because the bill is bringing our county code up to speed with its revised wording; and ensure compliance with the Hawaii Administrative Rules and Hawai’i Revised Statutes.
The Energy and Public Safety Committee will continue discussions on bills regarding excessively barking dogs and dangerous dogs.
The Council Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 9 a.m. in Council Chambers, Room 201, at the Historic County Building, 4396 Rice Street, Lihu’e.
