Assemblyman Mike Gatto has proposed legislation designed to make parking in California “more fair and affordable” for motorists while reducing “unfair” ticketing practices, the lawmaker announced this week.
The so-called Parking Bill of Rights would substantially change how cities and local governments enforce parking laws and would provide “relief from unjust citation” for motorists, Gatto said in a news release.
The package of reforms would prohibit “some of the most vexing practices,” which would ultimately make parking easier in the state, the release stated.
One of the biggest reforms proposed in the package would extend a law that prohibits ticketing at broken meters beyond 2016; the current law, authored by Gatto, expires at the end of the year, according to the release.
Additionally, cities would have to make spaces immediately available to motorists once street-sweeping has concluded. Under another reform, valet-parking operators would not be able to exclude drivers from metered spots and loading zones, said Gatto, the chairman of the Utilities and Commerce Committee.
The proposal would also include demand-based pricing at new high-tech meters, so motorists would pay different rates depending on the time they parked.
Tow companies would also have reduced ability to issue fines for any vehicle illegally parked as a result of criminal activity, and that was “no fault of the owner,” the release stated.
“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, whose 43rd District includes parts of Los Angeles, Burbank and Glendale.
He concluded: “These simple and practical policy changes will make life easier for Californians who just want to park their cars and go about their business.”