Oregon Senate backs free parking for ‘wounded warriors’

The Oregon Senate unanimously passed a bill Thursday that supporters say will create a parking permit to make life a little easier for the state’s “wounded warriors.”

Senate Bill 1506 creates a “Oregon Wounded Warrior” parking permit for veterans with a service-related total disability of at least 50 percent. The permit would allow the holder to park for free in metered and time-limited public parking spaces.

“Hanging in my office at the state Capitol, I have a sign that reads, ‘We support our veterans,'” Sen. James Manning, D-Eugene, who carried the bill in the Senate, said. “I am a veteran myself and there are many who have not lost their lives in service to this country, but they have suffered life-altering impacts. I am proud to bring forward this bipartisan legislation. When we work together, good bills pass.”

A bipartisan group of legislators – which includes Manning, Sen. Alan Olsen, R-Canby, and Rep. Tawna Sanchez, D-Portland – all served as chief sponsors of the legislation.

Current law provides parking privileges for disabled people in the form of a disabled person placard or wheelchair user placard. A disabled user placard allows parking in spaces reserved for the disabled. A wheelchair user placard allows parking in spaces designated for disabled or wheelchair users, free parking in metered spaces and unlimited parking in time-limited spaces.

A relatively simple bill, SB 1506 gives those who qualify for a disabled parking permit, and who also have a 50 percent or more service-related injury, access to a Wounded Warrior Parking Permit, which allows for free parking at metered parking spots and unlimited parking in time-limited parking spots everywhere in Oregon.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.