The Honorable Shane M. Sinenci
Chairperson
and Members of the Water Authority,
Social Services, and Parks Committee
Council of the County of Maui
200 South High Street,
Wailuku, HI 96793
Regarding: Bill 65 (2023) Amending the Traffic Code by Expanding the Volunteer Parking Enforcement Program
Dear Chair Sinenci and Committee Members:
The Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB) administers the statewide program on parking for persons with disabilities, including the issuance of disability parking permits through Memorandums of Agreement with the four counties. However, DCAB does not have authority to enforce the legal use of reserved accessible parking spaces. That is the responsibility of various parking enforcement agencies, including county police departments.
Historically, county police departments have utilized a Volunteer Special Enforcement Officer (VSEO) program to enforce the accessible parking statutes. However, DCAB is not aware that Maui has had an operational VSEO program, at least not for the last several years. DCAB supports the use of VSEOs because police officers have a variety of laws to enforce, many of which are considered a higher priority than enforcing accessible parking spaces.
DCAB supports Bill 65 which would result in a VSEO program being implemented on Maui. However, we strongly advocate that enforcement of accessible parking spaces continues to be one of the program‘s stated primary functions.
March 4, 2024
The Honorable Shane M. Sinenci
Chairperson
and Members of the Water Authority,
Social Services, and Parks Committee
Council of the County of Maui
200 South High Street,
Wailuku, HI 96793
Regarding: Bill 65 (2023) Amending the Traffic Code by Expanding the Volunteer Parking Enforcement Program
Dear Chair Sinenci and Committee Members:
The Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB) administers the statewide program on parking for persons with disabilities, including the issuance of disability parking permits through Memorandums of Agreement with the four counties. However, DCAB does not have authority to enforce the legal use of reserved accessible parking spaces. That is the responsibility of various parking enforcement agencies, including county police departments.
Historically, county police departments have utilized a Volunteer Special Enforcement Officer (VSEO) program to enforce the accessible parking statutes. However, DCAB is not aware that Maui has had an operational VSEO program, at least not for the last several years. DCAB supports the use of VSEOs because police officers have a variety of laws to enforce, many of which are considered a higher priority than enforcing accessible parking spaces.
DCAB supports Bill 65 which would result in a VSEO program being implemented on Maui. However, we strongly advocate that enforcement of accessible parking spaces continues to be one of the program‘s stated primary functions.
Thank you for considering our position.
Sincerely,
KIRBY L. SHAW
Executive Director