Committee advances bill allowing disabled parking placards to be displayed on vehicle dash

Bismarck — The House Transportation Committee voted to give House Bill 1137 a due-pass recommendation after a hearing on Jan. 16 that focused on making it easier for permanently disabled drivers to display mobility-impaired parking placards. Representative Nathan Thalmann, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure would allow the placard that traditionally hangs from a rearview mirror to instead be placed unobstructed on a vehicle's dashboard.

The change would be permissive rather than mandatory, Representative Thalmann said, and is intended to help people who use wheelchairs or have trouble re-entering a vehicle to place the placard without having to get back into the car. "He's not trying to not do it and not get the fine. He just is trying to make the process easier for those that are permanently disabled," Thalmann said in testimony.

Committee members raised several practical concerns that shaped the discussion. Representatives asked whether the bill would conflict with existing instructions for placards that advise removing them while driving and whether dashboard placement would make enforcement harder for law enforcement or private parking attendants. Representative Koppelman noted many placards come with instructions asking that they not be worn while driving; Representative Christiansen asked whether the bill requires that a placard be “plainly visible” from outside the vehicle. Thalmann said the intent is to ensure the placard is visible and unobstructed and that committee staff could add clarifying language if necessary.

The bill preserves existing options: it does not replace the current rearview-mirror placement but adds dashboard display as an authorized alternative. Committee members repeatedly noted the statutory provision that "no part of the certificate may be obscured" (as referenced in testimony) would apply to dashboard placement as well. The bill specifies a $5 fine for failing to display the placard, which Representative Koppelman said likely limits enforcement incentives for driving-by observations.

Following questions and public testimony submitted by a constituent (identified in committee discussion as Ian Sweet in electronic testimony), Representative Cobbleman moved a due-pass recommendation; Representative Martin seconded. The clerk called the roll and the motion passed unanimously in committee, recorded as 12 yes, 0 no, with 2 members absent.

Action on the bill in committee does not change any law; it forwards the measure to the next stage for floor consideration.

Notes: The bill as presented adds dashboard placement as an option and retains existing placements and penalties. Committee discussion focused on visibility and enforcement rather than substantive changes to eligibility.