Handicapped parking permit changes advance

Senators advanced a bill Feb. 8 that would amend provisions for temporary handicapped parking permits.

Under LB31, introduced by Kearney Sen. Galen Hadley, a medical professional could issue a temporary handicapped parking permit for either a three- or six-month period. The permit could be renewed once and could not exceed one year.

Currently, a temporary permit may be issued for up to six months and may be renewed once.

Injured people often must renew their temporary permits more than once because they do not recover in the allotted time the permit was issued for, Hadley said, so the state Department of Motor Vehicles issues them a permanent permit for a temporary injury.

“Offering a temporary permit for a minimum of three months on the front-end would reduce the number of times permanent permits are issued on the back-end,” he said.

The bill advanced from general file on a 34-0 vote.