SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Today, Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) announced a package of reforms that will make parking policy more fair and affordable for California motorists. The California Parking Bill of Rights will change substantially how cities and other local governments manage and enforce parking laws, providing relief from unjust citations. The legislation is designed to make life a little easier, by prohibiting some of the most vexing practices.
The reforms include:
• Prohibiting cities from ticketing motorists who park at broken meters. The current law governing this (authored by Gatto in 2013) “sunsets” (expires) at the end of 2016.
• Prohibiting valet-parking operators from excluding motorists from metered spots or loading zones.
• Prohibiting cities from hiring private companies to act as parking “bounty hunters.”
• Requiring cities to promptly make spaces available to motorists after street-sweeping activities have concluded.
• Requiring cities, when installing new high-tech meters, to allow demand-based pricing. Motorists should not be required to pay the same fare at 11:00 pm that would be required at 11:00 am.
• Reducing the ability of tow companies to fine individuals for cars illegally parked due to criminal activity that was no fault of the owner. Car-theft victims shouldn’t face high towing and storage bills because a car was dumped on a city street.
“Occasionally the state needs to step in and remind our local governments that parking a vehicle should be an efficient practice, and not another big hassle designed to separate motorists from their money,” said Gatto. “These simple and practical policy changes will make life easier for Californians who just want to park their cars and go about their business.”
Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Utilities & Commerce Committee and the longest-serving current member of the State Assembly. He represents California’s 43rd Assembly District, which includes Los Angeles, Glendale and Burbank. www.asm.ca.gov/gatto
