HBA-MSH C.S.S.B. 777 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.S.B. 777
By: Barrientos
Transportation
4/17/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, a person applying for a disabled parking placard must
provide a statement from a licensed physician certifying that the person
has a mobility problem that substantially impairs the person's ability to
walk. Podiatrists are not licensed as physicians, but by nature of the
profession, podiatrists are often in a position to evaluate a person's
ability to walk. C.S.S.B. 777 allows a statement by a podiatrist to be used
as proof of a mobility problem when applying for a disabled parking placard
or registering a vehicle for use by or transportation of a person with a
permanent disability.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

C.S.S.B. 777 amends the Transportation Code to authorize an individual with
a mobility problem caused by a disorder of the foot who is first applying
for a disabled parking placard or registering a vehicle as a person with a
permanent disability or anyone applying on such an individual's behalf to
provide a notarized written statement or written prescription from a
licensed podiatrist to certify and provide acceptable evidence of a
mobility problem.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.S.B. 777 amends the original by authorizing a person with a mobility
problem caused by a disorder of the foot who is first registering a vehicle
as a person with a permanent disability or anyone applying on such an
individuals's behalf to provide a notarized written statement from a
licensed podiatrist certifying the mobility problem