Bill aims to make street parking easier

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A pending state Assembly bill aims to help urban drivers by creating a "parking bill of rights" that cracks down on handicapped-parking abuse and frees up spaces on street-sweeping days.

The bill by Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Burbank, would require cities to open up parking spaces immediately after street sweeping is concluded. It would also extend a rule that prevents cities from ticketing people parked at broken meters and would stop valets from blocking public parking spots.

Gatto said he has seen abuse of handicapped parking placards, which is exacerbated by rules allowing handicapped parking at expired meters for no charge. He wants to work with disability advocates and local government agencies to reform the unlimited parking rule.

"If all goes well, this will pass the legislature by late summer and will be signed into law by the fall and we'll have parking relief coming your way starting next year," Gatto said.