HOUSE MEMORIAL 111

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Jeff Steinborn

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON DISABILITY CREATE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY HANDICAPPED PARKING ISSUES.

     WHEREAS, handicapped parking allows access for disabled persons to businesses and allows all people to participate fully in society; and

     WHEREAS, as of 2005, there were two hundred ninety-one thousand people in New Mexico living with disabilities; and

     WHEREAS, reliable statistics on handicapped parking and enforcement of handicapped parking regulations are not readily available; and

     WHEREAS, it is imperative that the need for and issues concerning handicapped parking be known in order to provide better access for disabled patrons to businesses; and 

     WHEREAS, it is the belief of many in the disabled community that there is inadequate enforcement regarding existing handicapped parking opportunities and that new enforcement efforts are needed to ensure that disabled citizens have full access to all parts of society;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the governor's commission on disability be requested to create a task force to study handicapped parking; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force consist of representatives from the governor's commission on disability and the motor vehicle division of the taxation and revenue department; the secretaries of aging and long-term services, human services and public safety; and representatives from municipal and county governments, the disability coalition, the center for development and disability, the protection and advocacy agency and councils on developmental disabilities and other interested and appropriate persons; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force study issues surrounding access to handicapped parking, enforcement of regulations, qualifications, compliance with federal and state regulations and other relevant topics related to handicapped parking; and 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force develop recommendations related to the appropriate number of handicapped parking spaces to be provided, the criteria for obtaining a handicapped parking placard, enforcement procedures and any other recommendation deemed relevant by the task force and that the task force report to the appropriate interim legislative committee; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor's commission on disability, the motor vehicle division of the taxation and revenue department, the secretaries of public safety, human services and aging and long-term services, the interim legislative health and human services committee and the interim courts, corrections and justice committee.

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