Transportation bill advances amid public outcry over disabled parking changes

The committee reported CS for House Bill 543 favorably after brief floor debate and public testimony focused on access for people with disabilities.

Representative McFarland described the transportation package as a mix of technical changes: directing FDOT to increase yellow-light duration at intersections with red-light cameras by 0.4 seconds; privacy protections for the digital driver's license program to prevent location or transaction data from being shared; limits on license-plate-reader vendors sharing vehicle registration data with private parties; and a range of other provisions affecting enforcement, handicap parking and local speed limits.

Public testimony drew sustained attention. Marquesas Blimes, an assistive-technology specialist, warned against a committee amendment that would allow double parking in standard spaces when disabled spaces are unavailable, saying it "creates safety hazards, blocks accessible pathways, interferes with van lift deployment, and introduces chaos" and urging enforcement and increased accessible spaces instead. Olivia Keller, who testified later, described the practical barriers faced by wheelchair users in garages and said the number and configuration of accessible spaces in some facilities remain inadequate. Both witnesses urged the legislature to restore the prior definition/limit on who may use disabled parking and to increase enforcement and the required percentage of accessible spaces.

Committee members acknowledged the public concerns and discussed broader enforcement and supply issues; the sponsor said further work would continue as the bill moves into subsequent committees. The committee voted to report the bill favorably.