NEWS RELEASE
March 1, 2018
Senate votes to help out Oregon's
'wounded warriors'
SB 1506 provides free parking placards for certain disabled veterans
SALEM – The Oregon Senate passed a bill today that will create a
parking permit to make life a little easier for the state’s “wounded warriors.”
Senate Bill 1506 – which passed the Senate today –
creates a “Oregon Wounded Warrior” parking permit for veterans with a
service-related total disability of at least 50 percent. The permit would allow
the holder to park for free in metered and time-limited public parking spaces.
“Hanging in my office at the state Capitol, I have a
sign that reads, ‘We support our veterans,’” Sen. James Manning, D-Eugene, who
carried the bill in the Senate, said. “I am a veteran myself and there are many
who have not lost their lives in service to this country, but they have
suffered life-altering impacts. I am proud to bring forward this bipartisan
legislation. When we work together, good bills pass.”
A bipartisan group of legislators – which includes
Manning, Sen. Alan Olsen, R-Canby, and Rep. Tawna Sanchez, D-Portland – all
served as chief sponsors of the legislation.
Current law provides parking privileges for disabled
people in the form of a disabled person placard or wheelchair user placard. A
disabled user placard allows parking in spaces reserved for the disabled. A
wheelchair user placard allows parking in spaces designated for disabled or
wheelchair users, free parking in metered spaces and unlimited parking in
time-limited spaces.
A relatively simple bill, SB 1506 gives those who
qualify for a disabled parking permit, and who also have a 50 percent or more
service-related injury, access to a Wounded Warrior Parking Permit, which
allows for free parking at metered parking spots and unlimited parking in
time-limited parking spots everywhere in Oregon.
The
bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
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Contact: Rick Osborn, Communications Director
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1074
Email: rick.osborn@oregonlegislature.gov
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-223, Salem, Oregon 97301
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