H.B. 173 Disabled Parking Permit Amendments: transcript

House Transportation Committee, Jan 28, 2026

1. Committee chair (presiding)41:58

   All right. Um, thanks everybody for being here, and we'll, we'll have, uh, presentation of bills and then give, uh, the opportunity to the committee for questions and then the, turn it over to the public for questions or comments, and then we'll, uh, bring it back to the Committee for Action. So we'll start out with HB 1 73. First substitute Disabled Parking Permit Amendments by Representative Lee. So come on up and the time is yours.

2. Rep. Trevor Lee42:46

   Thank you Chair. Uh, thank you Mr. Chair. Thank you committee for having me here today. Uh, the bill that I have before you is, uh, it's actually a really simple bill, and essentially what this does is it allows those that are pregnant to, if they would like, pay $15 to receive a parking pass, uh, where you have the handicap spaces, uh, throughout the state of Utah. And so that's, that's how the bill works. It's very simple. You can go to the DMV snag, the, the, the permit for $15. It's temporary. Once you have the baby, it's gone. And so it's a, it's a temporary pass that can help, hopefully, in my opinion, show that we're supporting families. We're supporting those who are trying to have kids, trying to have bigger families. If you've had your own kids and you're pregnant, you know how hard it is. I personally don't, but I watch my wife struggle with this when she goes to the store and she needs to get up, wrangle all the kids and try to get inside. And so this is something that would hopefully give her that shorter distance to go so a kid doesn't run out and get hit by a car. Also helps herself get out of the house, which I think is a good thing. And I believe we need to keep doing more policies in our state that help incentivize and help those who want to have big families and grow and expand. Uh, we def we definitely have a fertility crisis in this state and, uh, it's something that is a simple bill, but can make a, a good little difference to show we support families that, that want to grow and have those kids. So that'll end my presentation.

3. Committee chair (presiding)44:11

   Okay. Thank you. Um, we'll open it up the committee for discussion. Uh, representative Oland.

4. Rep. Oland44:18

   Yes. Thank Mr. Speaker. Um, have you had conversations with advocates for people with disabilities? And what is their input on this bill?

5. Rep. Trevor Lee44:28

   Yeah, so they have said that they don't have enough parking right now for those who are disabled. And so they would want to be able to add an additional stall or an additional parking if possible, so that we're not in certain places getting too many people trying to park in those, those limited spaces that we currently have.

6. Rep. Oland44:48

   Thank you. My concern, I guess, isn't that we, not that we don't have a fertility crisis emerging here in Utah, but that we do have a pretty robust fertility program happening right now where, uh, they might take up all of the, the parking spots for people who need them with, with disabilities. So thank you.

7. Committee chair (presiding)45:10

   Thank you. We'll go over to Representative Thurston.

8. Rep. Norman K Thurston45:15

   Thank you, Mr. Chair. So I'm just wondering, um, is there some chance this might violate the A DA because the whole parking space thing is tied to the a DA and that we would subject ourselves to some sort of federal intrusion if we tried to do something like this?

9. Rep. Trevor Lee45:32

   Yeah, that's, that's a good, good, good question, Mr. Chair. So I have, um, spoken with some of these agencies back in DC on, on these laws, and, and they didn't say it would infringe at all. Like, this is something that we can do. We offer temporary permits to others who have, you know, had surgery, uh, been in accidents that aren't like permanent type, uh, disability parking, and they're allowed to park in the handicap spaces. So this would just be added into that as a temporary option on top of those who also are, you know, temporary.

10. Committee chair (presiding)46:02

    Thank you, Mr. Chair. All right. Thank you. Um, Representative Peterson.

11. Rep. Peterson46:15

    Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's got my name on that seat on here, so I had to look twice to make sure I wasn't there. Um, you, you mentioned it that once the woman or that once the mother has the baby, it's good for, uh, it, it, the, the, the, the placard is done. So I wanna clarify, the bill says up to one year, so I'm trying to figure out, uh, up to a year. So if it's done when she has the baby, how, how does, how does this work? Yes. So thank you for the, for the question there. Um, originally that's what it was supposed to do and I need to go back and I need to change that if, uh, to correct to be, once the, the woman has the child, did they just, once you have the kid, you're gonna be sitting at home for a while in most cases. Sometimes that can be six weeks before you get out. And I, and like there's like some buffer in there in that room. So, uh, I don't think we're gonna be having many mothers get out and using that pass right after for a while. And so one year's probably too long on that. We could probably push it to maybe 10 months max and just give 'em that little buffer there. Can I continue asking the question? So could you don't anticipate that, that that, that a mother would anticipate getting pregnant and say, I want to get this in advance of becoming pregnant? No, That, I don't think that's in the bill. So, so it's not till she's pregnant and you're saying that, uh, you're gonna change it from, from 12 months to, to 10 months after she discovers that she's pregnant?

12. Rep. Trevor Lee46:47

    Yes. So thank you for the, for the question there. Um, originally that's what it was supposed to do and I need to go back and I need to change that if, uh, to correct to be, once the, the woman has the child, did they just, once you have the kid, you're gonna be sitting at home for a while in most cases. Sometimes that can be six weeks before you get out. And I, and like there's like some buffer in there in that room. So, uh, I don't think we're gonna be having many mothers get out and using that pass right after for a while. And so one year's probably too long on that. We could probably push it to maybe 10 months max and just give 'em that little buffer there.

13. Rep. Peterson47:25speaker not certain

    Can I continue asking the question? So could you don't anticipate that, that that, that a mother would anticipate getting pregnant and say, I want to get this in advance of becoming pregnant? No, That, I don't think that's in the bill. So, so it's not till she's pregnant and you're saying that, uh, you're gonna change it from, from 12 months to, to 10 months after she discovers that she's pregnant? Yes. Okay. Thank you

14. Committee chair (presiding)47:56

    Representative Ivory.

15. Rep. Ken Ivory47:58

    Thanks, Mr. Chair. Representative, I need to know if this isn't a blatant conflict of interest for all the cute kids you're gonna continue having. So my wife's currently not pregnant, so she can't get the pass, but she would've loved to use this when she was pregnant. We're expecting more and we wanna hold them, you know, the grandpa duty. So you let us know.

16. Committee chair (presiding)48:22

    Alright. Uh, Representative Dominguez,

17. Rep. Dominguez48:25

    Thank you. So I have a question. I know that Mother Motherhood is a journey and postpartum is probably one of the most important parts that I would think this bill would include maybe a month or two afterwards, or at least six weeks afterwards. Has, is there been any conversation of that or any concerns about postpartum at all with, with motherhood? I mean, I can only imagine a new baby, six kids coming out of a car like that would, that would be tough too.

18. Rep. Trevor Lee48:54

    Yeah, no, that's, that's a really good question. I think it maybe goes along the lines of representative Peterson's questions there, like how long tell it expires on the past. You know, one thing that I wanna make sure with this bill is that we, we, I'm really trying not to impede on those who, who need this as well. Mm-hmm. So as limited as possible is, is is what I'm aiming for. And specifically, like, you know, when you're a mother, those last few weeks, those last few months of the pregnancy are rough. And I wanna make sure that that's that time period when they are getting out, they're going to the store, they're going places that they feel like, especially on that long walk to get into the store mm-hmm. Is just easier for them. But you're exactly right. If I wish, maybe if we had an additional stall for just mothers that had a bunch of kids, maybe you have like a, like an HOV lane type thing. Mm-hmm. You know, you have too many kids you can park up front. Uh, but I just, I think the walk for them at that point's. Good. All right. Thank you. Thank you chair.

19. Committee chair (presiding)49:51

    All right. Thanks. Uh, represe Representative Shelley.

20. Rep. Troy Shelley49:55

    So when I first saw the bill, I was so excited because when I was expecting, every time I saw the handicap spaces, I thought, oh my gosh, it would be so nice to just be able to park next to the store. But I am concerned about the shortage of spaces for people with severe handicaps. And I guess being pregnant isn't a severe handicap, but I do love the idea. I really do love the idea. I just think we need to be careful. 'cause I do have a mom who's pretty old and, um, she often can't find a space to park in. So I don't know. Conflicted. Thank you.

21. Committee chair (presiding)50:36

    Alright, thank you. Um, Representative Defay.

22. Rep. Ariel Defay50:43

    Yes, thank you. Thank you for this bill. I really appreciate it. And, and like Representative Jeffrey, it would be, it would've been very nice to have this as an option when I was of childbearing age. Um, I'm just wondering, you and I were speaking before about how government can set an example for what a way we would like to see private industry move. Um, I'm wondering, this is just a suggestion. If we were to have a designated stall in government facilities, um, for expecting mothers, um, that would maybe help encourage private businesses to do the same thing so that we are freeing up spaces for those who are handicapped as well.

23. Rep. Trevor Lee51:25speaker not certain

    Sounds like a great plan.

24. Unknown speaker51:30speaker not certain

    Okay. I, I had a question. Uh, and I've got, I mean, I'm torn. I think it's, there's some great things about it, but I'm concerned about, uh, taking up stalls for maybe people who are on crutches or wheelchairs or whatever. So, uh, so my question is, do you have any idea, I mean, not all the mothers are gonna go through the process of you have to get a note from the doctor, you take it in and apply, pay the $15 and get the tag. And maybe not everybody feels like they wanna do that. Yeah. Have any idea how many, what percent would take, you know, would do that?

25. Rep. Trevor Lee52:13

    Uh, thank you Mr. Chair. No, I have zero clue. Um, but I would hope that it's used if, if they are as just a small, simple tool for those who really want it, I believe they will go get it and it'll be very helpful to them. Um, and if everyone was going to use this and I knew and had those numbers, then I would probably push more to let's, let's get more stalls. But if I don't know those numbers, I would say let's give it a try. It's a temporary thing for the pass. It's not a long-term one. And see if we, you know, have a lot of mothers who are, you know, excited to have this and if it's gonna help them, you know what, maybe I want to have another child 'cause it was so easy last time when I could park up front.

26. Unknown speaker52:53speaker not certain

    Would you be willing to, to put this in like a trial basis to see how that would work? Like, uh, a Sunset of a year and then, then if it worked, we could, uh, renew that or something like that. But that would give some time to say, how's this really affecting businesses? Are there really enough stalls? Uh, you know, that might be a opportunity to get some answers to those questions. Yeah.

27. Rep. Trevor Lee53:21

    Uh, no, I'm very open to that. If, if we could, could give it a temporary trial and, and run and see how many do, you know, jump on board. And if then it's starting to take away a ton of stalls from, um, you know, some of the a DA, uh, groups that, that, that need them as well, uh, then that would probably give us a better idea that we might need to add an additional stall in the state. Um, if we see that it's also helping our fertility go up, then we know it's working to a degree and it's been helpful and that would be great. Uh, and so yeah, I'm very open to that, uh, Mr. Chair, and I think that would be a good idea.

28. Committee chair (presiding)53:56

    Okay. Um, have another comment from Representative Romero.

29. Rep. Angela Romero54:01

    Oh, thank you, Mr. Chair. Quick question. Has this law passed in any other state? I believe Florida, And then that is, I think correct. But didn't they have about 8,000 mothers who applied for the past? It's fantastic. Well, to you might might be fantastic. And I, um, but I mean, the reason why we have a DA law is for a reason because people who have disabilities, we wanna make sure that they're able to park and be able to do business. And not every person who's of childbearing years wants to have a ton of kids. So I, I guess my concern is like, I appreciate what you're trying to do, but there's a reason why we have these stalls for people who, um, have high mobility issues with the good representative there. My, my mom, my grandmother was older. Sometimes it was hard for us to find a spot, so I'd have to drop her off in front of the store, find a parking space and then, you know, figure that out. So I just, my my concern is not to discriminate against women who are pregnant or choose to be pregnant multiple times. My concern is those stalls are there for people who, um, really have trouble walking or need that space to, to do their shopping or what a business. So do you have a, I don't know. I got, it's more of a comment, I guess.

30. Committee chair (presiding)55:33

    Okay. Do you want to comment on that or are you

31. Rep. Angela Romero55:36

    No, I, and and I agree and I am very sympathetic to, to those who who do need this and currently use it. And you know, it's interesting depending on who I talk to is, oh, I see open stalls all the time, but according to a lot of the numbers, there is a shortage in a lot of cases. I, I don't see that, but that's what the numbers do say, is there is a shortage of the amount of, um, eight or handicap stalls that we need. Uh, so yeah. Um, if 8,000 people in Florida applied and we're Utah, who knows how many we'd get here, but it would be interesting to see if it's that many in the first year and if, uh, if it would do anything that's bigger or less than that. And, and I guess Mr. Chair, my question is for if there's advocates or people out here, how many stalls are we already short when it comes to people who, you know, have been, who have a disability? And then, um, I'm, like I said, I'm not opposed to the good representative. Um, a few roles, uh, well a few seats, uh, for me about a, a government stall. But at the same time, what is, I, I would like to know the need of, of current people who have disabilities. If we're, we are already short on that, how much more would they need to make sure that we're accommodating people who have severe disabilities or an aging parent and, um, what that would look like. So I'm curious to see where this conversation leads.

32. Committee chair (presiding)56:57

    Okay. Thank you. With that, we'll continue the conversation with the public. So those of you who'd like to speak to this, so please come up to the, uh, witness table and you're welcome to give us your input. Uh, we do have someone online. Okay. Andrew Riggle. Uh, welcome. If you wanna, uh, turn your camera on, you're welcome to go ahead and, and, uh, weigh in on this. Are you good, Andrew, can you hear us? There we go.

33. Andrew Riggle, Disability Law Center57:47

    Uh, good afternoon, Ms. Mr. Chair and members of the committee. My name is, uh, my name is Andrew Rega and I'm the disability lozenge public policy advocate. I also use a power wheelchair and have an accessible minivan. I know how hard it can be to find accessible spaces firsthand. Uh, we appreciate Representative Lee's willingness to hear our concerns. However, it's important we, uh, we share them with you too, a business can. And if you have chosen to designate stork spots, a woman can also get a temporary placard. Now, if a doctor says she has a condition related to pregnancy, which qualifies as a dis as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Illinois has a similar law that to the one being proposed, uh, that that allows the pregnant women to get a temporary placard in the last trimester. The number, um, the number of accessible spaces of business, um, must have is set by a formula under the a DA as such a complaint against a law like this, uh, was filed in Florida late last year. From the DLCs perspective, this proposal is unnecessary. However, if the committee believes it addresses a critical issue, there are options that don't further disadvantage Utahans with disabilities. Thank you for your time and considering our position. And, uh, Mr. Cherry, if I could, um, if I could, uh, just briefly, uh, attempt to very badly address, uh, Representative Romero. Uh, Romero's question about the, about the demand and the answer to the demand question is that I don't think anybody, anybody really has a, a good feel for a good feel for that, but we, but the a DA, um, does re the requirements under the a DA are that, um, you, uh, there'd be one, one accessible spot for every, for every 25 spots and two for every 50 spots. And then, uh, 2% in lots that ha 2% of all spots in parking lots that have over 500 stalls. Um, and one out of every six of those accessible spots needs to be, uh, van accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

34. Committee chair (presiding)1:00:26

    Okay. Uh, thank you. I think there's a question for you, Mr. Gel, uh, Representative Thurston is that

35. Rep. Norman K Thurston1:00:32

    Yes, thank you, Andrew. Um, you mentioned that there may be other ways of addressing this that are, um, helpful, that, that don't conflict with the Erda A and don't di diminish the access of D dis of disabled Persons D Um, yeah. Can you just maybe give us one or two examples of those?

36. Andrew Riggle, Disability Law Center1:00:51

    Sure. No, and, and I, um, I'm, I'm sorry if I wasn't, um, if I wasn't, uh, uh, specific enough. But the, uh, but the ideas that we have that we have found, um, in, uh, in researching this are, uh, one, and, and I think, uh, one of the committee members, um, uh, suggested this is a possibility already. Um, but those are, you know, business businesses voluntarily, um, voluntarily designating, um, spots in their, in their parking lots. And I've heard them, and I've heard them referred to as, uh, as stork spots, um, in the past. I think, um, and I can't remember if it is which, uh, which one it is, but I think I've seen them at, uh, home Depot or Lowe's, for example. Um, they've, uh, they've chosen to do that at some of the, at some of their stores. Um, and the other, and the other one, and the other ones are that, um, uh, as I said, a a woman, uh, who has a condition related to, uh, related to pregnancy that would qualify, can, uh, can have her doctor, can have her doctor write a, write a letter and get a temporary placard now. Um, and to be able to, to be able to use the spot through, uh, through the course of the pregnancy. And then, um, Illinois ha, Illinois has a version of this law, but they, uh, but they limit eligibility, uh, to the last trimester.

37. Rep. Norman K Thurston1:02:31

    So if I may, Mr. Church a quick Sure. So that last option, um, limiting it to the third trimester, does that comply with the a DA and is there some possibility that it restricts access to parking spots for disabled persons?

38. Andrew Riggle, Disability Law Center1:02:47

    Uh, not having, not having delved deep, uh, deeply into it? I could, I, uh, couldn't answer that off the, off the top of my head, but happy to get back, uh, get back to you with a, with a legally accurate response to that representative.

39. Rep. Norman K Thurston1:03:03speaker not certain

    Great. Thank you.

40. Committee chair (presiding)1:03:08

    Okay. Anyone else from the public? Um, Cler, Lindsay Chandler online. Do you wanna turn on your camera and we'll take your comments?

41. Lindsay Chandler, resident1:03:38

    Welcome. Hi. Hello. Um, yeah, I just wanted to, um, say everything, basically what Andrew just said, you know, in the past we have had a lot of, um, women be able to fight for the rest of us. Oh, I'm, I'm sorry. Could you just introduce yourself and tell us who you're with? Yes. My, my name is Lindsay Chandler and I live down here in southern Utah. Um, Are you, you're representing yourself then, or Representing myself. Okay, Thank you. Um, just wanted to say, you know, everything, uh, agreeing with Andrew that, um, there are already some businesses that have this including like Harmon's grocery store, and they do have like the stork pictures and, uh, old Navy has them. So kind of forcing these businesses to put these places in for spots for people that we have already had. A lot of women in the past fight for us to say that pregnancy is not a disability. And, um, but he's right. Like there are some conditions that would come up in a pregnancy that would make the them ca qualify as a disability. The pregnancy itself is not a disability. And I have had three children myself, and I've never once been in a parking lot and said, I wish I could park closer because I can't handle walking, being pregnant. And it's different for every person. So, um, if you can't then talk to your doctor and they can get you to get that temporary slit to equate a pregnancy to a disability like surgery or, um, a something physical that's lifelong is totally not even fair, um, to any of those people. And there is a shortage of places for them.

42. Committee chair (presiding)1:05:50

    Okay. Thank you very much. Appreciate that. Thank you. Your testimony. Um, anyone else from the public? Okay. Uh, seeing none, um, I just wanted to, I just wanted to ask, uh, so there's been, uh, possible substitute or an amendment, uh, suggested and there are, there are some questions about, uh, what it would take for someone just to get it on their own right now. Uh, I'm wondering if, uh, you'd like to just hold until we can get that, uh, ranged and, and we can bring it back, or what, what would you recommend?

43. Rep. Trevor Lee1:06:36

    Yeah, thank you Mr. Chair. Um, I'm okay doing that. It sounds like with the discussion from the committee, we could work up a sub if, if, you know, we find a good middle ground here that, you know, doesn't hurt the 88 community, but at the same time can help incentivize, you know, pregnant mothers and, and, and push, um, for more of that. And so I, uh, I'm totally okay with that option.

44. Committee chair (presiding)1:06:56

    Okay. We were working on getting a, an amendment, but it's gonna take a little bit to get the saw 'cause it changes that section of code. So if we can get a motion to hold, that'd be great. Uh, Representative Matthews. Thank

45. Rep. Ashlee Matthews1:07:10

    You, Mr. Chair. I'd like to make a motion that we hold the bill.

46. Committee chair (presiding)1:07:13

    All right. That's in order, um, discussion of that motion. Okay. And you've already said that would be in, uh, good with you. So we'll bring it back to the committee for about those favor of holding. Um, uh, HP 3 99 primary and second, oh, wait a minute, that's not it. Three HP 1 73. First sub, please say a aye, aye. Any opposed? Say no. Okay. We'll hold that. That's unanimous. And so we'll see you in a, in a while. Thank you. Okay. Yeah, that's great. Um, okay, we'll continue to go